Seasoning Oak

[ambull01]

So much to learn. I'm amazed how my great grandfather knew all this living in western NC without hearth.com.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Okay thanks. I was planning on using the pallets for kindling but I guess I'll have enough just from splitting. I placed the red bricks parallel to each other on the ground then started the first row of splits on them. Figured that may mimic a pallet but it's not as far off the ground.

Perfect

 

[ambull01]

Perfect

So I should roll with that? I think I'll do a test. One stack on the parallel bricks and one stack on a pallet. See how fast the moisture reduces.

 

[Hogwildz]

As long as you get them off the ground is the important thing. I think pallets will let more air around and keep them higher of the ground, but anything to get them off the dirt is a plus.
Most hardware stores will be glad for you to ask them for their pallets.

 

[Kenster]

Virtually everything on our 12 acres is Oak, with a bit of pignut hickory. Lots of Water Oak but others as well. I have cut down standing dead trees, known to have been dead at least two years - so dead the top branches have virtually all fallen off- and have found that the trunk still oozes water. In most cases, even here in hot South East Texas, Oak needs AT LEAST two years split and stacked in a sunny place catching the prevailing winds. Catching wind is more important than sun.

I have one one exception. In 2011 we were in the midst of a bad drought and had over 100 days of 100+degree temperatures. Winds out of the SW blew like a furnace all summer. VERY wet, green oak seasoned to less than 20% in about nine months.

I understand that many of you just don't have a place to store wood for two or three years but if you could start out with even half a cord, then maybe add another half each year as your burn down your other supplies, you'll end up with some of the best burns you ever had.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

you'll end up with some of the best burns you ever had.

Yeah. . . that very well may be but it's still not worth staring at a pile for 2+ years

 

[ambull01]

I've been bypassing the oak rounds when I scrounge. Just go right to the sugar maple (I think that's what it is). If the oak is still there after I ransack the maple and all the pine then I'll get the oak. Kind of disappointing it takes so long to cure oak.

 

[Kenster]

Yeah. . . that very well may be but it's still not worth staring at a pile for 2+ years

If you are unable, or unwilling, to get two or three years ahead, giving good wood time to properly season, you are condemning yourself to a lifetime of inefficient burns and inferior wood. And many people here will agree with me when I say... Yes, it IS worth the wait.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

And many people here will agree with me when I say...

I think I'll be OK - There is no species in western WA that requires 2+ years

 

[ambull01]

If you are unable, or unwilling, to get two or three years ahead, giving good wood time to properly season, you are condemning yourself to a lifetime of inefficient burns and inferior wood. And many people here will agree with me when I say... Yes, it IS worth the wait.

That means I'll have at least 12 cords of firewood sitting in my yard at any given time. That's a lot of wood and space.

 

[Hogwildz]

Not really that large a space, and space well used.

 

[claydogg84]

I tried burning oak tonight seasoned for a year. Stove fell on its face hard - sending the rest of it back to the pile for next year.