Sure is a mystery. Are the growth rings super close together? Might be really dense . I would give a couple of pieces the " trial by fire" test. That would confirm your MM readings.
Split it open and check the insides. Was pretty rainy here this week - hopefully it's just some surface moisture that will dry out in a few days.
Something serms fishy. Try the 'burn in your stove' test. It should be pretty obvious if it's >30 vs. <20.
The lack of top covering for sure will have lots of bearing on this one. The reason is Kentucky. To my knowledge, all of Kentucky is a very wet place. By not top covering, that almost guarantees less than premium wood. We did an experiment leaving ash and oak uncovered. What an eye opener. The wood did burn, but it burned poorly. We just never got the heat out of it like we usually do. So, we'll stick with top covering.
I burn more than a little BL. It's typically close-grained and can be slow-drying, just not so much so as N. Red Oak. It helps to not be in a rush to bring it in. When I do bring it in, it sits for a while near the stove. After a bit of that it burns nicely. Slowly, but nicely. Any fuelwood for the next few years+ is top-covered. That gets it down to the low teens, typically. Week+ near the stove - small single digits.
I think BWS nailed it, Kentucky being wet, I never cover my wood here in Iowa until its seasoned. Its easy to forget sometimes what works in some parts of the country do not in other parts. Something our friends at Hearth seemed to have a problem with.
I think BWS and Certified are right on this one. After in rains a few days, some of my wood in my "seasoned" stacks are showing high numbers, but I know it's just rain soak in. Try putting a few peices under cover somewhere for a few weeks and then check it again.
