Spongy oak

[revdocjim]

I found a nice big oak tree that had fallen down not too far from my house. I cut it up and brought it home to split. I was disappointed to find that the center portion of every stump is somewhat spongy, i.e. rotten... The stumps are about 18 inches across and the outside 4 inches is still nice and hard but the center portion is soft. Is it even worth stacking this wood? Should I toss it in the campfire pile? If I stack it with other good wood will it actually increase the chances of the other wood rotting? (I know that sounds silly since we aren't talking about a virus here but just thought I'd ask).

 

[warno]

Depending on how far gone it was I would toss the rotten stuff and keep the good. Even if you stacked the rotten with the good it won't increase the chances of rotting your good stuff. With it up off the ground the rot will stop and start drying out. It might not be as good of quality oak, but like I said if the rot isn't horrible stack it up. Maybe throw a top cover on it to keep the rain off to help it start drying alittle quicker.

 

[Sconnie Burner]

I found a nice big oak tree that had fallen down not too far from my house. I cut it up and brought it home to split. I was disappointed to find that the center portion of every stump is somewhat spongy, i.e. rotten... The stumps are about 18 inches across and the outside 4 inches is still nice and hard but the center portion is soft. Is it even worth stacking this wood? Should I toss it in the campfire pile? If I stack it with other good wood will it actually increase the chances of the other wood rotting? (I know that sounds silly since we aren't talking about a virus here but just thought I'd ask).

It won't hurt anything, stack it and top cover it. It will dry and a couple can can be used to get a reload going quicker just don't expect a ton of heat from a full load of it. Sounds like it fell victim to oak wilt. Its a fungus that starts in the roots and migrates and holds a bunch of water in the lower trunk causing the rot once it starts to die.

 

[bfitz3]

I had an awful time last year with wood that was starting to show rot. It wasn't spongey, but must have held enough extra moisture that it tended to smolder. This year, between 1/3 and 1/2 a cord of the stuff is going to a friend with an outside boiler. His stove eats everything right up.

 

[Jeffm1]

I found a nice big oak tree that had fallen down not too far from my house. I cut it up and brought it home to split. I was disappointed to find that the center portion of every stump is somewhat spongy, i.e. rotten... The stumps are about 18 inches across and the outside 4 inches is still nice and hard but the center portion is soft. Is it even worth stacking this wood? Should I toss it in the campfire pile? If I stack it with other good wood will it actually increase the chances of the other wood rotting? (I know that sounds silly since we aren't talking about a virus here but just thought I'd ask).

Split it and stack it. Seperate out the good wood from the spongy stuff. Use the spongy stuff for restarts and shoulder season. Once its gets truly dry it might not be as bad as you fear. If it is, it will be separated from the good stuff and will make good kindling.

 

[Wood Duck]

If wood is spongy you have to cover it or it will absorb water. If left uncovered I think spongy wood does impact the adjacent non-spongy wood. sort of like a virus. The spongy wood holds water and keeps other wood that is touching it moist.

 

[revdocjim]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm somewhat relieved. It is stacked in a shed with open sides but a roof over it so hopefully it will dry out well.

 

[firefighterjake]

Depending on how punky or spongy it is I will either relegate the wood to the campfire pile . . . or more likely while splitting, split the bucked wood so that the punky part of the wood is separated from the good, solid wood. The solid wood is stacked with the rest of the wood and the punky wood again goes to the campfire food.