Locust dry time?

I’ve never burnt Very much black locust. What’s a realistic Timeframe for it to be dry enough to burn well. I know everything is better after three years, but I’m just talking practical here. Thanks in advance!

 

2 years is good. But if you get it split and good elements it can be good in a year. Also the heavy bark if it is still on it will get it burning well in a nice fire.

 

I'd say a year if you got it covered and get the bark off. Otherwise I'd go 2. I've burnt the bark on its own or used it for kindling lol

 

I've burned stuff from 1 year to about 7 years and it all did just fine. If you're concerned about drying time, just split it smaller. I like big pieces, so I like it to sit about 3 years.

Edit: None of mine is covered and it gets hot and dry here in the summers. Added for condition context.

 

Back in August 2020 hurricane Isaias hit and then a tornado three weeks later here in my area. A lot of fresh BL was blown down and I feasted on it. CSS right away I sold it the following year and everyone loved it. It was stacked under a carport with no sun exposure.

IMO CSS and you can burn it next year if needed.

 

Oh and one customer checked the MC which was 15%. He was ecstatic about the quality and dryness.

 

I have zero problems getting black locust below 20% here in Wisconsin in 12 months if split down 3 to 5 inches.

 

I would shoot for 1.5 years for green BL. To be honest I can't remember last green BL I processed. 99% of the stuff I get is barkless standing dead. I could split and burn that stuff the same day... but I don't.

 

Thanks all, appreciate the input

 

I rarely get any green Blocust. It's always pretty much stove ready when I do (dead standers).

 

One year will do in most climates.

 

Oh yeah, I experience that too. I have a couple standing BL that I need to drop, the tops look a little spent. I do like when they're already down though. A little less work!

 

Red oak burns hot. BL burns hotter. But most would say you can't season red oak in one year. Why do you think that is? Cellular structure or something going on?

 

Yup the cell structure. My main reason for not taking it that often.

 

Can concur with KSPlainsman , I find it to generally be ready (under 20%) in a year. More is always better, but it gives up what moisture it has pretty fast. Haven't noticed much difference between Black and Honey either as far as curing time.

 

Thats interesting. The general concensus here is that HL takes multiple years. Must be that nice hot Kansas air.

 

We are spoiled in some ways, and desperate in others. Triple digits, low humidity, and constant wind are hard to beat for drying wood out during the summer. But those same conditions put a terrible stress on our groundwater and what little surface water we have. No free lunch as they say.

 

I always thought it dried very quickly.

 

To add to my situation, I live a half a block north of a grain elevator. The wind moves around those things, increases in speed and my house and backyard, where my wood pile is, is a direct hit. I know that speeds drying times up. But, it's just hot, dry and windy out here.