Will this Oak be ready in 7 months?

[Tlgrant]

So a landscape friend dropped off some free wood the other day it’s all red oak however it’s not fresh cut or seasoned- it’s somewhere in between ?. It was in a customers yard on the ground in 6-8 ft logs all under 12” sections for a year maybe 2? I’ve been splitting it and it’s reading 20-25%


So my question is do you think it will be good for this coming winter? I’d hate to stack it all in my small wood shed and run out of space if I can’t use it next winter. Thanks.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

That’s a firm maybe. If your woodshed gets lots of air and sun, and you’re measuring the moisture correctly you could be ok! There only 1 way to find out!

 

[Dieselhead]

It’s anyone’s guess. Splitting small may help your chances.

 

[qwee]

I've had one experience with oak. I live in a mountain desert environment. Firewood here gets down to less than 10% (even dead standing) no problem. I obtained about 3/4 cord of fresh cut tree service red oak. I split it small and stacked it by a fence (so not very good air circulation). After 2 years it was surely dry?

I took out a big piece from the center of the pile and split it - moisture meter read 21.5% moisture content. I was surprised. If I was you, I would stack it somewhere out of the way, cover it, and forget about it for a few years (at least). Don't rush it - oak dries on its own terms.

 

[Turbo89]

I split some oak last fall, which had been laying in log form for about 2-1/2 yrs. It was stacked along my fence, in the sun with a nice cross breeze. I measured a few pieces last week, looking for some over nighters and most were 24-27% moisture, I did find a couple around 20%.

So maybe, but unless you get a heck of a breeze, and sun and split them small I wouldn’t bank on it.

 

[hickoryhoarder]

Short splits and short logs that sat around for a while says maybe. It would not surprise me if it's pretty good or good. I wouldn't expect it to be great.

If it can be stacked in direct sun and get a lot of breeze that will increase the chances.

I wouldn't rely on it entirely, especially if you have better seasoned stuff around.

Here's an example of a stack that might get those short splits ready in time. This stack gets direct sun from 10 a.m. to 4 pm.

 

[Todd]

If your already at 20-25% you should be fine as long as it’s all split, stacked and top covered.

 

[MRD1985]

One way to find out. CSS in the sun and wind, top cover, and measure it in 7 months. I’d have a backup plan in case it isn’t dry.

 

[brenndatomu]

I'm saying nope...but might make it in 2 years, if you split small and stack it in a sunny/windy spot, with top cover/open sides.
Oak HATES to give up it's moisture!

 

[Todd]

20-25% is already burnable. They use that range in EPA testing.

 

[brenndatomu]

20-25% is already burnable. They use that range in EPA testing.

Yup, burns like crap though...makes less heat, craps up the chimney, gotta fuss with the fire all the time.
Not usable in my book.
(And I don't see where anyone has questioned OP about the MC testing technique...so is it really 20-25%?)
Wood must be tested in the middle of a freshly exposed face, immediately after splitting (preferably "room temp", and pins parallel with the grain too) testing the outside, or end grain is meaningless.
6-8' logs don't dry laying on the ground, especially Oak!

 

[Todd]

Actually I prefer about 18-20%. When I burn wood that’s less than that it seems like it off gasses all at once. When I use a moisture meter I take three readings on a fresh split, two near each end and one in the middle then average it.

 

[bigealta]

Was the bark still tight or falling off? how big were the rounds?

Branch size rounds dead standing or fallen can be ready to go if the bark has all fallen off.
But most likely the bigger log sizes are gonna be rotten if the bark has fallen off and on the ground.

 

[blades]

If you cross stack out in the wind and sun perhaps , If you just pile it up, No.