5 years ago when I started burning I had no idea how much wood I would need so I went crazy gathering wood. I ended up with right around 20 cords. As it turns out, with my EPA rated stove I burn 2.5-5 cords per year (most mild & coldest winters, respectively). I haven't cut any major wood scores since I first cut in 2010 and spring of 2011. Not because I was being lazy but because I had a lot going on; spent almost a year of that time-frame in Afghanistan; and more time spent training up before the trips and time catching up around home when I returned. I didn't have time to cut wood, so it was a back-burner project unless I came across SUPER EASY wood scores.
I entered this past winter with about 3 cords of oak, 3 cords of black locust and just a bit less than 4 cords of hedge. Came out of this winter with very little oak (maybe 1/4 cord), 1 cord of black locust, and 3-3/4 cord of hedge.
My black locust and hedge scores are few and far between, I don't want to waste them, they are an absolute necessity on those super cold days. So it was time to get at it. Through a neighbor, a friend, and a coworker I've come to several scores that will amount to a significant amount of wood for my stash.
I've picked up 3-1/2 cords of yellow poplar and soft-maple through a neighbor and a friend, respectively.
From my coworker (who is clearing a lot for land) I've picked up 2-1/2 cords of oak and 1-1/2 cords of hickory (mixed species). I still have several trees to cut at his place. There is part of a soft-maple top, a small hard-maple, a decent sized hard-maple, and a rather large (~28" DBH) shagbark hickory. I'm expecting at least 2 more cords of maple (mostly hard) and 2 more cords of hickory. That will be a total of 11-1/2 cords picked up in the last few months and put me back up to 16-1/2 cords.
Another possibility is from the same neighbor that the poplar came from; he has 6 small hickory trees he wants to take down (it pays to take the lesser wood to help a neighbor out sometimes). He is supposed to let me know when he takes them down so I can help; he hasn't let me know yet (but they're at least still there so I know he didn't give them to somebody else).
(not counting my punk/chunk/ugly stacks used for camping)
I entered this past winter with about 3 cords of oak, 3 cords of black locust and just a bit less than 4 cords of hedge. Came out of this winter with very little oak (maybe 1/4 cord), 1 cord of black locust, and 3-3/4 cord of hedge.
My black locust and hedge scores are few and far between, I don't want to waste them, they are an absolute necessity on those super cold days. So it was time to get at it. Through a neighbor, a friend, and a coworker I've come to several scores that will amount to a significant amount of wood for my stash.
I've picked up 3-1/2 cords of yellow poplar and soft-maple through a neighbor and a friend, respectively.
From my coworker (who is clearing a lot for land) I've picked up 2-1/2 cords of oak and 1-1/2 cords of hickory (mixed species). I still have several trees to cut at his place. There is part of a soft-maple top, a small hard-maple, a decent sized hard-maple, and a rather large (~28" DBH) shagbark hickory. I'm expecting at least 2 more cords of maple (mostly hard) and 2 more cords of hickory. That will be a total of 11-1/2 cords picked up in the last few months and put me back up to 16-1/2 cords.
Another possibility is from the same neighbor that the poplar came from; he has 6 small hickory trees he wants to take down (it pays to take the lesser wood to help a neighbor out sometimes). He is supposed to let me know when he takes them down so I can help; he hasn't let me know yet (but they're at least still there so I know he didn't give them to somebody else).
(not counting my punk/chunk/ugly stacks used for camping)
Red Maple is about the best you can get for quick-drying wood. I'm working behind my BIL's right now and the ivy is thick. Most of it is knee-high but a few are up to my waist. Luckily it's not too hot...I may wear a long-sleeved shirt today. The ticks aren't as active on these cool days, either. 
