I just got to splitting the dead oak I cut down near the property line. I seem to be perpetually behind on my chores. Those that have spouses or partners or special others that help with chores have gold. Anyway, I wanted to show how even a dead oak tree can be too wet to burn. The oak in question is at least three years dead. I split one of the larger rounds; the tree was around 30.5 cm/1 foot in diameter near the base; so not a large tree at all. As you can see, the moisture of this three year dead oak is too wet to burn. Wood in the round takes a long time to season and is why it is important to split it as soon as possible. This was one of the things that really surprised me when folks on the forum told me that even a dead tree will be too wet to burn. However, the meter tells the story.
One of my posts from Nov 2014 Standing Dead Red Oak 16" DBH, I think it died three years ago. Most of the top has fallen out. A split from the round above the stump cut-50% MC A split from a 8" round near the top-35% No surprise, I've seen similar results in the past. Scheduled burn date-2018.
Sometimes, the best lesson is the one we learn on our own. Good job getting this figured out Kimberly. I have some Oak in the shed from at least 2 years ago that was dead standing and on the ground......barkless. When I split it open, there was still some moisture where the wedge hit it. Should be dry now though.......I hope.
Oak is even more picky about needing to be split than most wood. The cell structure of oak holds moisture in better than other species. White oak is even crazier than the rest of the oaks as far as holding in moisture.
That's why white oak is the only oak used for making barrels for wine and liquor. The cells of white oak don't "leak". Try making a barrel with red oak, and you'll have no liquid left in the barrel.
Here you go, I had already split most of the wood; look at the washout on the end of the log with my camera; this is why I was hoping Father Christmas would visit me this year but alas he passed me by; guess I was too naughty this year 22.5 on the larger one, 19.1 on the smaller.
