Cut a smaller 20” red oak yesterday that died this year from oak wilt… Got the top all cut up and split and stacked along with cleaning up all the branches…. Made for a full stack.
Straight red oak. My fave! I have ~12 cord CSS'd. I'd guess 75% is red oak. Looks like you have the space to let it nap for 3yrs. Hoard on!
Exactly what I was thinking yesterday! Only gravy left. I’ll use the front loader to pick up the big rounds and deliver them straight to the splitter so I don’t need to noodle them or bend over and pick them up. Hard not to like red oak other than it takes forever to dry! I have 10 cords, but will sell 5 (already sold 3) this year to make room for these red oaks that need to come down… I have older wood and it’s time for it to go to make room for the new stuff.
So the heat caused by your rubber roofing doesn't speed up the drying time ? I have some Oak cut last September covered on top and half way down the sides with rubber roofing.I'm hoping that the heat from the roofing will season the Oak faster than usual.If so I'll use it this winter.
If you think your oak will be seasoned in 15-18 months, then you should have a moisture meter to confirm and verify just how wet/dry the wood is. I burn no oak seasoned less than 3yrs.
I've heard that mentioned about the 3 year drying time for oak.I'm trying to shorten the drying time with the rubber roofing that gets real hot when the sun hits it and I cover the wood more than just top covered.Where would I get a good moisture meter and what should the meter read for the Oak to be dry ?
Ah yes... a hoarder's holy grail - speeding up the seasoning of wood. I hope it works for you. I'm not sure what the tradeoff is between air flow, increased heat, and time. I'm fortunate to lean towards air flow and time. I have one of these whenever I'm curious about moisture of wood splits. I've not used it for a few years. https://www.homedepot.com/p/General...ater-Damage-and-Mold-Prevention-MM7/309036963
I covered some soaked some was punky Elm with rubber roofing once and it dried it out bone dry.Hopefully it'll work on the Oak.Thanks for the info on the meter.I'll pick one up asap.
I don’t count on the rubber roofing to do anything other than keep rainwater off which helps drying, but being black doesn’t hurt. I do stack in the sun, single row, top covered and up 5” off the ground, all combined it definitely helps. My moisture checks shows red oak around 20% after 14 - 18 months stacked and split to this size, but I like it dryer than that so I wait a few years longer for what goes in my stove. Im going to have to sell some of this wood next year, to make room for more. I think 20% oak to sell after 15 months is probably ok…
Looks like you made short work of that. Those nice straight logs should work up fast. The stacks look great.
Thanks.. the top was huge with a big span and went well into the woods past the drive. I just pulled all the branches into the woods, which is a huge time saver, and then after cutting everything up, used my Stihl blower to blow all the smaller twigs, leaves and chainsaw mess into the woods. I’ll fly through the rest with a sharp chain. I’m guessing about a half cord left…and got about a facecord plus from the top.
I noticed you top covered with the rubber.I cover mine about half way down with rubber.When I work on rubber roofs that rubber gets real hot so I tried it on the soaked elm and it did wonders drying it out.Once I pick up the moisture meter I'll check my Oak and let you know what it says.It'll be drying 1 year coming next month.
Are you able to save any of that roof rubber from the dumpster? I'm always looking to add to what I have.
I call rubber roofing companies and ask if I can have the tear off rubber from their next job.I meet them at the job site and they let me take all the tear off rubber I need otherwise it goes to a waste site.
