Argument...wood is going to go bad or not ?

I burned oak, cherry, silver bell and locust last night that has been heaped in a pile in the mud for over a year. Loaded the stove up at 10pm. Low of 27* with 30mph winds and that "rotten wood" still had my 1700sf house holding at 68* come 5:30 this morning.

 

How would you say that silverbell burns? I’m curious, this isn’t a routine name of wood you hear here.

 

Well as anything else. I've only got a bit of it so it's just mixed in... Haven't really kept a good eye on how fast it burns, but it's fairly heavy when dry, splits easy, and has a cool looking silver/grey streaked color to it.

 

Wow that's a new one for me. Had to Google 'silverbell' - never heard of it before.

 

I had wondered if it was similar to an apple or cherry. Thanks for informing!

 

I dont top cover my wood (not needed) and I have wood 5 years old (or more) and it is in prime shape.
Wood rots because it gets wet and stays wet for too long such as in a pile which some people seem to think works.

 

I have seen construction lumber outside for years and not rot.

 

Yup!

 

Yup here too.

 

Do you have a wood shed?

 

Just thinks how much better it would've burned without the mud!!!!

Not true: or the wood the folks have been salvaging from the bottom of Lake Michigan from sunken ships that went down almost 200 years ago would be toast. Not true..............the stuff is almost as pristine as when cut. Don't know the reason; just typing.

 

Wouldn’t that depend on being treated or not? I get some soft white pine at a shed building place down the street from my house. The moment it rains then it gets covered in its own pile, it begins to mold which is one of the first ways wood begins to break down. Thus isn’t compartmentalized but with wood as soft as this, its not surprising to see it crumble after a bit. Would really have to be constantly wet though.

 

Preservation. Many boats did get sealed up in some kind of wax or pitch or tar. Depending on their size and function. There are logs brought up from areas where they dropped for a mill and the logs sank. Preserved by cold water and from other elements that breaks down organic materials. Lots of different kinds of preservation that is natural, right place right time and conditions.

 

construction lumber outside for years must be a pretty crappy lumberyard

 

I use a wood crayon and put the month/yr on the ends of a few splits in each section as it is stacked just for reference to whats up next to burn or if its a 2 yr dry, to know its not ready-I often will write the moisture content on a couple few also to then re-check prior to use, but then I like playing with crayons....

And your mistrust of a good moisture meter is unfounded. I like to re-split occasionally just to see how fast it is drying as burning time is approaching or to see how much more time it needs...Your new wood buddy needs to listen more and opine less...

 

Sounds like a cleverly designed ploy to separate you from your well seasoned stash... Hey neighbor.. let me help you burn that wood before it goes bad.. just looking out for ya..

 

X2
If in doubt, check the out

 

I need to order more pins for mine. Those things bend too easily.

 

The best "moisture meter" is "The 3 Year Plan"!!!!