that awkward moment.....

[KindredSpiritzz]

when you realize your wood is slowly taking over your yard and you might have a problem. I came to that realization today as i looked around my yard at the wood i have scattered all about in various stages of processing. I kind of like my yard nice and neat and i fear im turning into one of "those neighbors" with an unsightly yard and crap piled up all over the place.

I started stacking wood i want to burn next winter along the east side of the house, it gets a lot of sun and heat off that white metal siding im hoping will help dry it in time for fall. Most of it was cut last fall so it'll be a year aged come fall. Not ideal i know, but its all i have to work with til i get ahead.


My first attempt at cribbing. I have a feeling i'll be picking this all up after the first decent storm we get.


the pile im using for the cribs. Check out that crazy box elder growing sideways. I keep expecting a storm to knock it down on the house but i don't want to cut it cause it blocks the morning sun in the bedroom and it makes a great place to hang wind chimes so i leave it.



Then in the back of the yard we have my main wood pile scrounging s from last fall and this spring. I keep thinking i need to rent a wood splitter for a weekend as its to much wood to do by hand but yet everyday it seems im out there swinging the axe so i'll probably end up doing it by hand as i am that stupid apparently.



and then we have the final resting spot once its split. This will hopefully be my years ahead totally dried stack that i can dip into any time i run short, if i can ever actually "get ahead" of the game. A 60 ft long wall of wood someday...maybe.



and then we have some fine box elder tucked up behind the house. I need to toss that in the basement this year and make a little wood shed where that is now. I need an emergency stash close to the house in case i run out so i dont have to traipse thru the snow.




and then i want to build a little wood shed where the two pallets are to store my immediate firewood for the season. And i need to install my new stove in there between the 2 windows some time this summer.

 

[Jags]

Renting a splitter might just do you a favor. Get ahead, then process using whatever method you prefer.

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

actually Jags you make a good point. Once i get everything i have laying around split and stacked im thinking i'd be at least a year ahead and could have a little bit more leisure approach to it after that. Guess i just need to make peace with the fact i'll always have wood in the yard somewhere and just concentrate on making it look as neat and tidy as possible.

 

[Jags]

Its that first big chunk trying to get ahead that is the tough part. The faster you get those rounds into splits, the faster they start drying.

 

[tfdchief]

when you realize your wood is slowly taking over your yard

Yep, has taken over a good portion of my small backyard, and that makes me warm and fuzzy feeling all over

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

wow chief, you've been over run by wood. Nice neat stacks tho. Where do you store the immediate wood you're using during the season? Or do you just run out to the stacks each time.

 

[tfdchief]

wow chief, you've been over run by wood. Nice neat stacks tho. Where do you store the immediate wood you're using during the season? Or do you just run out to the stacks each time.

I have a yard/wood shed, 2/3 of which gets filled in the fall with my winter's wood.

Wood processing area is behind the stacks. I don't have much room, so I have to be organized.

 

[Seanm]

I have a yard/wood shed, 2/3 of which gets filled in the fall with my winter's wood.
View attachment 132082 View attachment 132083 View attachment 132084
Wood processing area is behind the stacks. I don't have much room, so I have to be organized.
View attachment 132085

Very organized! Someone could come into your yard and even if they werent a wood burner would find it easy to look at. It helps you keep the rest of the yard nicely landscaped. How big is your lot? I live in a rural area with the bush close by but my lot is only .14 of an acre. I try to keep it as clean as possible as well. Currently we are in clean up mode since all the snow has recently done a quick and drastic retreat. The tarps are no longer frozen to the ground and can be put away but the rake has to come out to clean up all the random bark and splits that were buried throughout the winter months. Wood processing starts this week!!

 

[jatoxico]

Getting ahead does take a big push and if it takes renting a splitter as Jags recommended then that will be money well spent.

As far as the unsightly aspects of wood, I'm guessing most here like the look of a wood pile no matter what but not everyone else may agree. I've tried to stack in ways that look nice. I surrounded my sitting area by the chiminea with splits. It blocks the wind and feels cozy. Guests seem to like it. I've stacked in gentle curves on top of rock walls to nice effect. Could do the same at the base of a tree.

So maybe a holzhausen or something would work for you? One last thing I find cribbing is easiest when your splits are all the same size. That can be tough when you are a degenerate scrounger like me but if you cut for yourself it's easier. Either way you'll find it gets easier and easier.

 

[Razo]

I love your vintage gas can! Looks like you have a nice pile of rounds there to keep you busy.

 

[Woody Stover]

Yep, has taken over a good portion of my small backyard, and that makes me warm and fuzzy feeling all over

A few more stacks, and you'll have a maze for kids there! You can charge admission to offset your wood processing costs.

 

[tfdchief]

How big is your lot?

My lot is 85' X 100', .2 acres.

A few more stacks, and you'll have a maze for kids

My grandkids use it like that now, they love to run in and out of the stacks and hide

 

[Backwoods Savage]

when you realize your wood is slowly taking over your yard and you might have a problem. I came to that realization today as i looked around my yard at the wood i have scattered all about in various stages of processing. I kind of like my yard nice and neat and i fear im turning into one of "those neighbors" with an unsightly yard and crap piled up all over the place.

My first attempt at cribbing. I have a feeling i'll be picking this all up after the first decent storm we get.

the pile im using for the cribs. Check out that crazy box elder growing sideways. I keep expecting a storm to knock it down on the house but i don't want to cut it cause it blocks the morning sun in the bedroom and it makes a great place to hang wind chimes so i leave it.

Then in the back of the yard we have my main wood pile scrounging s from last fall and this spring. I keep thinking i need to rent a wood splitter for a weekend as its to much wood to do by hand but yet everyday it seems im out there swinging the axe so i'll probably end up doing it by hand as i am that stupid apparently.

and then we have the final resting spot once its split. This will hopefully be my years ahead totally dried stack that i can dip into any time i run short, if i can ever actually "get ahead" of the game. A 60 ft long wall of wood someday...maybe.

and then we have some fine box elder tucked up behind the house. I need to toss that in the basement this year and make a little wood shed where that is now. I need an emergency stash close to the house in case i run out so i dont have to traipse thru the snow.

and then i want to build a little wood shed where the two pallets are to store my immediate firewood for the season. And i need to install my new stove in there between the 2 windows some time this summer.

Ah, the awkward moment. Your place is not too bad but indeed you could make it look much better by keeping all the wood in one spot. For us, we like that spot to be right beside where the splitting happens as it is less moving that way. We sort of stack up rounds then in the spring, we do the splitting. Stacking follows immediately (usually) and the stacking happens right where the splits landed after being split.

While it is true we have a lot of places we can stack wood, if we lived on a lot or an acre of land, for sure we'd want everything done in one spot. We probably would not have a wood shed in that case either because although they are nice, it is not that difficult getting wood from the pile during the winter months so long as you can get enough for several days or a week at a time. I say it is not that difficult but that also depends upon what you use for the top covering. Tarps make the task a real pain. Something solid on top makes the job much easier and also does a better job of keeping the water and ice out of the wood piles.

Yes, you do need some practice on the cribbing and no doubt you'll be getting some on that stack. But, as my neighbor says, anyone can do it once but this way you get more practice. Practice makes perfect.

That is a crazy growth on the box elder but not a big problem yet.

Back to the wood piles, it does look better to have everything in one spot and saves you a lot of work too. Wood piles do not have to be an eyesore. Taking some time while stacking anyone should be able to build a decent looking wood pile. If not, then make a crib to hold the wood. Make sure the wood is cut to the same length. One thing that throws a lot of folks off too is when they are cutting limbs off the trees they don't cut the limb flush with the trunk. This can cause big problems when trying to stack so being careful while bucking goes a long ways toward making a good looking stack.

 

[jatoxico]

One thing that throws a lot of folks off too is when they are cutting limbs off the trees they don't cut the limb flush with the trunk. This can cause big problems when trying to stack so being careful while bucking goes a long ways toward making a good looking stack.

Very good point on the limbing BW, and having rounds cut and prepped cleanly doesn't hurt when splitting either. Been being much more careful with that myself than I used to. Try to get it looking like it's ready to go to the mill. Properly sharpened chain is a must, getting better and better at that too.

 

[Tommytman]

That white birch you have in logs is crazy big. Maybe in WI that's pretty common? I don't think I've ever seen one that big around my place.

 

[jwinn001]

when you realize your wood is slowly taking over your yard and you might have a problem. I came to that realization today as i looked around my yard at the wood i have scattered all about in various stages of processing. I kind of like my yard nice and neat and i fear im turning into one of "those neighbors" with an unsightly yard and crap piled up all over the place.

I started stacking wood i want to burn next winter along the east side of the house, it gets a lot of sun and heat off that white metal siding im hoping will help dry it in time for fall. Most of it was cut last fall so it'll be a year aged come fall. Not ideal i know, but its all i have to work with til i get ahead.
View attachment 132064

My first attempt at cribbing. I have a feeling i'll be picking this all up after the first decent storm we get.
View attachment 132065

the pile im using for the cribs. Check out that crazy box elder growing sideways. I keep expecting a storm to knock it down on the house but i don't want to cut it cause it blocks the morning sun in the bedroom and it makes a great place to hang wind chimes so i leave it.
View attachment 132066


Then in the back of the yard we have my main wood pile scrounging s from last fall and this spring. I keep thinking i need to rent a wood splitter for a weekend as its to much wood to do by hand but yet everyday it seems im out there swinging the axe so i'll probably end up doing it by hand as i am that stupid apparently.
View attachment 132067


and then we have the final resting spot once its split. This will hopefully be my years ahead totally dried stack that i can dip into any time i run short, if i can ever actually "get ahead" of the game. A 60 ft long wall of wood someday...maybe.
View attachment 132068


and then we have some fine box elder tucked up behind the house. I need to toss that in the basement this year and make a little wood shed where that is now. I need an emergency stash close to the house in case i run out so i dont have to traipse thru the snow.

View attachment 132069


and then i want to build a little wood shed where the two pallets are to store my immediate firewood for the season. And i need to install my new stove in there between the 2 windows some time this summer.
View attachment 132070

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

That white birch you have in logs is crazy big. Maybe in WI that's pretty common? I don't think I've ever seen one that big around my place.

its a medium sized one around here, i've seen them bigger. I have two more that size to cut down if it ever stops raining around here. pain in the butt to split cause the bark doesnt want to let go of the splits. All ash, beech and birch in that picture, tickled pink to score some hardwood.

 

[Bluezx636]

I know how you feel...

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Nice wood landscaping chief....

 

[bodhran]

I know all about the awkward feeling too. All this and I just took on a 100 x200 building lot too.

 

[Enzo's Dad]

for now most of mine is in the wooded area of my property...the pile in front is all elbows and crotches and random lenghts
and the driveway has become the processing area

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Hey it could be worse-your neighbors could live next to "Sanford & son" with a junkyard instead of nice firewood piles

"Keep choppin"!"