What percentage of your wood is split vs. whole logs?

[PA. Woodsman]

For all these years I mostly split just about everything so I had say 95% split wood and 5% unsplit logs. Lately I've been getting a lot of stuff that is too small to split but I cut it to size and take it because it is good wood, so next year 2016 I'll have more like say 15% unsplit logs which I know take longer to dry out but I've got the time. Just curious what "guesstimate" you would say you usually have, split vs. unsplit?

 

[DougA]

Since I cut everything on my own property, either it ends up in the wood stove or I have to rent a big chipper once a year. So I use a lot of small branches, probably 30% or more is unsplit. I find it's about the same time to dry and the smaller 2-3" pieces are often within 1 yr.

 

[Hickorynut]

PA, I like it all split even the little stuff. Not sure why, dries better maybe and think it lights off better in the stove if it is split. But that is just me. I am also one of those that debarks a lot before I bring it in the house to burn

 

[Gboutdoors]

I cut only dead standing Red Oak and the tops are all dry so I cut them to size and stack. I would say about 15-20% of each tree ends up unsplit.

 

[Rebelduckman]

For all these years I mostly split just about everything so I had say 95% split wood and 5% unsplit logs. Lately I've been getting a lot of stuff that is too small to split but I cut it to size and take it because it is good wood, so next year 2016 I'll have more like say 15% unsplit logs which I know take longer to dry out but I've got the time. Just curious what "guesstimate" you would say you usually have, split vs. unsplit?

Is say about like you. 90-95%

 

[UPswede]

I'd estimate that at least 90% of mine is split.

 

[Woody Stover]

I've got about 10 cords stacked, and I only take wood down to about 3-4", so what is unsplit is a small fraction, maybe 5% if that. Depending how dry the tree was when dropped, I may leave some 4-5" splits whole but I get a lot of Oak so I don't generally leave much of it unsplit, just to make sure it gets dry.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

100%

100% of the wood that needs to be split is split

100% of the would that doesn't need to be split is not split

 

[johneh]

100%
100% of the wood that needs to be split is split
100% of the would that doesn't need to be split is not split

I can say the same thing only what need's to be split is split
I have more to do that sit splitting 3-4 in logs
Got to get her done

 

[PA. Woodsman]

100%

100% of the wood that needs to be split is split

100% of the would that doesn't need to be split is not split

Yeah, but how much unsplit stuff do you burn? That's the point of my question; I used to split everything and turned down smaller stuff, but lately have come around to the idea that smaller unsplit stuff is good too as long as it's dry, so I'm leaning more in that direction lately. What percentage of your wood supply is unsplit?

 

[Applesister]

25%-30% will process as unsplit. I cut everything down to 1". So basically process the whole tree.
Except poplar, but even that gets processed out because its burning or chipping whats left. If it has to get chipped or dragged to the woods might as well use it for heat, right?
25% of my stacks are rounds. Roughly.
Ironwood is my fav "in the round" firewood. It rarely gets above 6" here.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Yeah, but how much unsplit stuff do you burn? That's the point of my question; I used to split everything and turned down smaller stuff, but lately have come around to the idea that smaller unsplit stuff is good too as long as it's dry, so I'm leaning more in that direction lately. What percentage of your wood supply is unsplit?

It depends on the year. Some years a lot, some years not a lot. I've had entire winters where the biggest logs I cut up were 4". I've never turn down wood because it was too small to split. The thought has never even occurred to me.

 

[Oldman47]

Nothing wrong with wood that does not need to be split. Wood = BTUs.

 

[PA. Woodsman]

It depends on the year. Some years a lot, some years not a lot. I've had entire winters where the biggest logs I cut up were 4". I've never turn down wood because it was too small to split. The thought has never even occurred to me.

I guess over the years I was fortunate enough that I could get some bigger stuff so I didn't need to take the smaller stuff unless I wanted too; I did take some but the need wasn't so great so I'd let it go. But last year and more so this year I have been coming across smaller stuff that is good stuff like Oak, Maple, Mulberry and more so I have been taking it, and looking at the woodpile for next year I noticed the amount of smaller stuff is rapidly expanding! I did post on here awhile ago about it and asked "does the smaller unsplit stuff take longer to dry out?" because I believe it would because it's not split, and most said yes that is true while some others disagreed. I think I'll keep it a little longer before I use it to make sure it is really dried out.

 

[Applesister]

Out of due respect for some species of trees, an Ironwood "log" 6" in diameter may be 150 yrs old..if you can even count the pale faint lines.
Where a Red elm sapling 6" in diameter may only be 3-4 yrs old. A contrast of ages.
Trees that barely hang on in the understory surviving from year to year on a faint dappling of sunlight earn a great deal of respect from me when they are damaged from felling larger trees. Or if they are in the path of a necessary roadway.
I have both Ironwoods, the dry upland one and the streambank one.
I also have alot of Gray Birch, and now I will split a small section of bark off them(learned that tip from here). They do rot in the round. I dont know about the Ironwood. I have some this year that are rather large. Incredible overnighters, they are, and they usually season in a years time.
And then theres orchard prunings...I had plum prunings that 3 years later still sizzled water out the ends. But are generally too small to bother splitting.
I just have a lifetime of handling the smaller stuff and dont think much of it.

 

[DoubleB]

Of the typical trees I scrounge, I find almost 1/3 of the wood is small enough to go straight to the stacks; about 1/3 of the wood is medium enough for the 5 ton electric splitter, and the other 1/3 is big rounds that wait for the gas-powered rental splitter, unless I'm bored and tackle some with splitting wedges.

 

[pricey106]

I am just a backyard firepit and camping wood scrouging guy that scored pretty good last year on free roadside oak, cherry, maple, and black locust. All of my wood for this year is unsplit...will probably go through a cord this year just for the firepit and cooking. If I were going camping this year, it would be another cord worth. Got to get started this week to fill my new storage rack...

 

[Applesister]

That is total pyro maniac, lol. For those of you who cant let well enough alone...
Go to YouTube and type in, "How to make a Swedish torch"
Basically take a round and cut a cross notch in the top. + Stuff kindling inside the cut out and light!
Voula!! Fire. This is for lakeside entertai ment. Watching the stars.