What to do with big pile of scraps?

[rawlins02]

Looking for thoughts on what to do with a large pile of wood scraps, for lack of a better term. I ordered 2 cords from a local business. Received a large amount of debris with the load. It appears I received at least 2 cords of usable wood. I've created at least 3 and a half stacks, with each stack around 18'x2'x3.5' (long/wide/high). That's about a cord in volume for each stack. The supplier has offered to bring another half cord of 'regular' wood. They say this is their "sheared wood". Looks like debris left over from next to a splitter. I may ask for clarification on how this mess was created.

My first preference is for the supplier to come with a truck and labor, and haul the scraps away. That may not happen. There's still quite a few pieces that are forearm size that I could load and move with a wheelbarrow. But what size is too small to stack? I assume air flow is not great when small chunks are stacked. I'm also considering dumping forearm size pieces into a big pile. But I have no sunny place near the stack. I could also use a shovel to load up and dump 4-5 wheelbarrow loads of smallest scraps into the woods near my property. But 10 loads might draw attention from neighbors. Since I'll have well over 2 cords when the extra half cord is brought, I'm mostly concerned with dealing with this debris with minimal effort. Free to a taker on craigslist?

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

I mix the small splits in with the regular splits in the woodpile. The smaller pieces dry more quickly and reach a lower moisture content so are excellent for starting a blazing fire quickly regardless of whether starting cold or from a bed of hot coals. The super fine stuff I would sweep up into a wheelbarrow and use it around trees/shrubs as a course mulch. This will shade the soil from the sun and help retain moisture through the summer. In the winter it will help avoid root damage from hard freezes.

 

[Jeffm1]

You could burn it...make a pile of the small stuff to use as kindling.

 

[Gotrek]

I have a pallet stacked with those pieces for kindling that's good stuff to keep around. The rest I put in compost pile.

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[Dobish]

i just let it pile up wherever i happened to process the wood... that's why my driveway is all wood chips

 

[rawlins02]

I appreciate the comments. Thank you.

I'll place the larger pieces on the stacks, use a wheelbarrow to move and dump the smaller pieces for kindling in a pile in sunny spot, and use the mulch-like pieces around the garden. This is just going to be more work picking the small stuff up than I'd hoped. Must be careful bending over too many times. Back can be a bit temperamental. I'll use a snow shovel for smallest chunks.

 

[HisTreeNut]

If nothing else, you have plenty of wood for the fire pit or chimnea, if you have one.

 

[Woody5506]

Yeah i could see how this would be a bit annoying, but if it were me I would burn it out back in the fire pit, if not saving it for kindling.

 

[rawlins02]

Yes I have a chiminea. Photo below. I have thought about burning the small pieces in it. I don't often use that space, so this will be a good excuse to clean it up.

 

[JSeery]

I really value the splitter debris. It all goes in cardboard boxes in a corner in my garage to dry out all summer. Then, in the winter, I have a great supply of kindling. I usually don't burn overnight so it is nice to have all that dry kindling. Stuff that small doesn't need much sun, the garage is hot and dry enough to do the job, I find. As others have said, this is also great for a fire pit. Long way of saying I wouldn't throw that out or have it taken away. It's splitter gold.

 

[rawlins02]

I really value the splitter debris. It all goes in cardboard boxes in a corner in my garage to dry out all summer. Then, in the winter, I have a great supply of kindling. I usually don't burn overnight so it is nice to have all that dry kindling. Stuff that small doesn't need much sun, the garage is hot and dry enough to do the job, I find. As others have said, this is also great for a fire pit. Long way of saying I wouldn't throw that out or have it taken away. It's splitter gold.

I also typically put a lot of small pieces away in boxes for kindling, as I do many cold starts too. But I sure could do with a bit less of it.

 

[JSeery]

I also typically put a lot of small pieces away in boxes for kindling, as I do many cold starts too. But I sure could do with a bit less of it.

I hear you on the space limitation. If stacking is an issue I've heard of people throwing this kind of stuff into an old IBC cage as well, where I'm sure it will dry out fine. But it sounds like between the garden, the chiminea, and the garage, you've got this stuff accounted for.

 

[rawlins02]

Just back in from the mess. A royal PIA. Here's a new photo. 3' high in the middle. Largest pieces are in foreground. It's worse to the back. Sorting for placement requires picking up and/or picking through this mess. I'm done with that. How to get all of this up off of the ground? A shovel? I tried a pitchfork. Doesn't work well. Looks like about 20 wheelbarrows full. That's going to be one huge unsightly pile next to my driveway. I only need a fraction of that for kindling. Must figure out an efficient method. Time for some dinner, a tall scotch on the rocks, and a plan.

 

[Lloyd the redneck]

You could just light it up in the driveway. Wait about a half hour to call the fire department then blame those darn teenagers smoking throwing butts on it !

 

[Lakeside]

Get a couple cases of beer and invite some friends over for a bon-fire !!

 

[johneh]

All the small stuff from my Splitter
I box it and store in the shop
Then I have kindling all winter

 

[moresnow]

Skid loader. Waaaay more time for Scotch!

 

[Old School]

Stack it on top of the other stacks and use it in the early burning season for quick hot fires to knock the chill off. It would also be easily accessible if/when wanted for chiminea this summer.


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[rawlins02]

Stack it on top of the other stacks and use it in the early burning season for quick hot fires to knock the chill off. It would also be easily accessible if/when wanted for chiminea this summer.


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I just spent another couple hours pulling out the larger pieces. Placing hundreds of those shards into a wheelbarrow and then taking them out and placing on a stack would take too long. I'm going to get on my hands and knees and toss a few of the larger remaining pieces into or near the pile I've started. While down I'll also throw some kindling into box(s) in the wheelbarrow to place in the garage. Down again and repeat a few times. I'll use my snow shovel to scoop up the remaining 6-8 wheelbarrows full and dump those onto yard waste and leaves in my back yard compost pile. Not valuable enough to save. It's always been easy enough to gather kindling from my backyard each fall. I figure around 4-5 hours to finish up. That will make about 16 hours handling this 2 cord load. Last year stacking took 6.

 

[bfitz3]

Craigslist it!

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

Yep, definitely a monotonous job. I'm working through a bunch of this that I created myself last winter. Combination of kindling boxes in the attic, compost, and fire pit. I try to tell myself that it is good exercise, but I'm pretty sure whatever exercise I'm getting is offset by the beer I'm drinking while doing it.

 

[kennyp2339]

I still see a ton of good useable wood splits for regular woodstove fires, I'd build (3) pallet bins and throw them all in there

 

[NateB]

I wish I was closer to you I would take all that junk off your hands.

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[sportbikerider78]

Duh.....campfire!

 

[velvetfoot]

I put the odds and ends in plastic garbage cans that I drill holes near the bottom. I pack it high and cover it with the cover and a bungee, so there's some air circulation. I burn it in the stove after it dries. The small stuff and bark I shred for the garden paths.