Running out of wood before winter runs out of cold

[bfitz3]

I'm down to three weeks of wood at current usage rate which will probably stretch to a month as things warm up. However, I'll need to burn well into May to keep the house warm enough for my better half.

And I wonder...

I have other wood in the stacks that was nowhere near ready last fall, but did have some cherry and ash that was at 25% mc and stacked in a very windy location. I don't have a lot, but maybe enough to get me to summer. Since late December, we've had constant snow cover. What do you think my chances are that I've had any more drying?

I know... Go grab some splits and test them. Easy, but not as entertaining as talking. I will check and report back sometime soon.

 

[pen]

I'm of the mindset to spend your time getting even more wood on hand if you don't already, to make sure you aren't here again.....and when things get warmer, just suck up needing to use another heat source.

If things aren't overstocked for next year already, then don't rob Paul to pay Peter.

 

[Snotrocket]

I'm more apt to turn the boiler on a few times in the spring than I am in the fall. That's my advice especially with oil/gas prices so low.

If that's an option for you that is.

 

[Sprinter]

I agree with pen that you should be getting as much supply ahead as possible (like 2-3 years ahead), but if you have some wood that was 25% and should be better by now, I'd use it. It's true that 20% is ideal but you should be okay with 25%, especially if you mix it with your current better stuff.

 

[bfitz3]

I had about 2.5 cords dried for this winter, my first burning year. Feels like 3 would have done it. There's between 5 and 6 drying for next year, so next year shouldn't be an issue. Stealing some cherry shouldn't hurt next year's supply.

If the snow ever melts, I'd like to put up another 8 cords this year, putting me 3ish seasons ahead.

I'll get the snowshoes out and grab some cherry to test today. The ash is actually under a drift, so that may be a lost cause for now.

 

[mwhitnee]

some cherry and ash that was at 25% mc and stacked in a very windy location

That cherry should be ready.

 

[Firefighter938]

Cherry should be close. If you are going to burn it, I suggest mixing it in now with your dry wood to help it out. Don't burn all of your dry stuff and then move to only marginally good cherry. It will be tougher to light and not burn as well.

Example: you have two equal splits of ash at 15% and two splits of cherry at 25%. Together your firebox would be loaded with 20% MC wood.

Z

 

[Fred Wright]

That's a scary thought, running out of winter fuel.

We came close last year, did run out the year before. Well, not actually run out, just had to start picking from the following year's stacks. Worked up a lot of red maple that winter to replenish, it was good to burn after less than a year. Man, I didn't wanna do that again.

To address this issue we extended all three woodpiles by ten feet. Each pile is now enough to get us through with some left over, thankfully.

 

[tigeroak]

This is the reason I am 4+ years ahead on wood, if I run short one year it will not effect my next years supply. I was on a 3 year rotation but got to thinking we need to be that extra year just in case something happens like sickness, extra cold and so on.

 

[Paulywalnut]

Oil is getting so cheap I think my firewood is worth way more. I'm tapping the thermostat Apr.1st. Even though I have 7 cords. Next winter might be cold and oil sky high.

 

[mwhitnee]

This is only my second year burning wood to heat my entire house, and the first with my BK. Luckily I had some half dead cherry that was cut down and able to be used this year. BTW around 25% MC on average when burning. Yours should be quite ready given the drying conditions you stated.

I am on the last of my cherry, and I am supplementing it with some Norway maple that was CSS in July. I'm not even using my Envi- blocks. It coals a bit but works fine, just give the coals some time and they dwindle down and throw in more of the cherry/maple mix. It heats my 2400 sq. foot house!

I really think that the MC of wood is important of course, but people were having me way too scared about it here, even with my brand new stove.

So I need 4 cords to supplement my stack and have a solid two year reserve, don't know if I have room for a 3 year plan. But even if I get oak in the next month or so and stack it promptly, that gives it around 19-20 months of drying time, which should be adequate.

 

[TheAardvark]

Could always pick up some bio bricks to suppliment the supply.

 

[sportbikerider78]

If you're low on wood, it might make a ton of sense to turn on the central heating system when you are well into the shoulder season.

 

[heavy hammer]

If possible find some wood that seasons a little quicker than than the oak. Maple or possible some softwoods will help for early next year. The oak will take two to three years. I know some burn sooner but it seams like giving it more season time helps. See if you can find some others that burn and maybe trade some of your greener wood for stuff a little more seasoned. Just a few ideas hope they help, plus keep cutting splitting stacking the farther ahead you can get the more it will help.

 

[Sprinter]

If possible find some wood that seasons a little quicker than than the oak. Maple or possible some softwoods will help for early next year.

I've given that advice to friends who only have room to store a year's worth at a time. It's nearly impossible to buy truly seasoned hardwood like oak, but if you can find even green pine, some maples possibly, or similar fast drying wood, you have a good chance of a successful burning season if properly split and stacked for 6-8 months. That's based on my experience with several species. It was pretty startling when I measured some of my softwoods after just a few months of dry summer weather under a shelter.

I just hate like the devil to see friends burn wood that is too green just because they can't season it long enough.

 

[weatherguy]

I keep burning whatever seasoned wood I have until it warms up. I don't designate wood as this year's or next years. I have ready to burn and not ready to burn and keep restocking. I usually have 3 years worth estimated based on past years but if it's a long cold winter I keep burning, you have all spring and summer to replace it.

 

[bfitz3]

Cherry: 19% ...maybe two weeks worth, more if it's warm out.
Poplar: went from 32% to 28% no go.

Found some pockets of dry standing dead, but it's randomly spaced. Probably not worth restacking to get at it.

There's 150 feet of 12-18" snow pack between me and the cherry. Hopefully a week in the 40's will come with some rain to make it easily accessible. If not, I'll go with early propane and late cherry.

 

[pen]

 

[heavy hammer]

As stated above I burn till it warms up. I have wood that is either seasoned or not I just try to rotate in the oldest stuff first before the newer stuff but if dry it gets burned if needed.

 

[mwhitnee]

My cherry is almost gone. Like I said I'm mixing it with the maple I have, but after the cherry is gone think I'll quit burning, unless I want to use some Envi bricks. I should get through the majority of March, and that's probably good enough for me.

 

[FaithfulWoodsman]

I have just over a 1/4 chord left of for sure dry wood. I have 9-10 other chords I know I could cherry-pick some ash that's burnable if I have to. But with it being above 65 for the next 10 days, I don't see me burning for a bit. Might have some poplar that's ready too. Second year after getting back into burning, but it will be my last year scrounging by the end. We stop about april, but I can see why you burn through may. I got lucky to find about a 1/2 chord of bone dry cherry (15%) that was ready to burn a few weeks ago. Otherwise I'd be in your shoes. Barkless cherry, ash or elm can be ready to go if you can find some.

 

[mwhitnee]

Hitting 70 tomorrow here in Mass!! I don't even know how long I've been burning- has to be close to a month straight, the ash line is getting high. The BK King has a big belly...

I will be shutting it down tonight in hopes of cleaning it out tomorrow night.