I was checking my stacks today. We burn 1-2 cord a year depending on howcold the winter is ( supplementing gas, gas to cheap to bother 24/7) This is what I found... 13/14 1 cord of random 2&3 yr wood in shed. 18% 2/3 cord 2yr locust. 24% 1/3 cord 2yr ash 23% 14/15 1 cord 1 yr ash 31% 1 cord fresh load random hardwoods ( oak, maple, ash) ranging from 22% on maple to 33% on oak Overall its not as ideal as I'd like, but I think I'll be OK this year. I'll save the locust for cold over nights with some drier mixed in and if the year ends up mild that ash may end up for next year letting me give the new oak more time. I've also noticed that I absolutely have to use single rows and top cover, my seasoning area doesn't get enough sun
I know prevailing wisdom says that wind is more important, but sun and wind combined allow me to burn Oak in 2 years or so.....single rows. I'll have to check the MC, but I don't get any sizzle for shizzle anymore. Watch, this winter I will.
Pooh I forgot my meter came with a conversion table for different wood species. If I read this right, the reading of 24 on locust is really 18 and 23 on ash is really 20. That's much better.
Just keep working at it and you will get there. Now that I am finally far enough ahead I don't even put years on it anymore. My inventory at the moment is: 1.5 cord BL 1 cord sugar maple 1.5 cords mulberry .5 cords red elm .5 cords black walnut 5 cords silver maple 4 cords red maple 1 cord ash 1 cord hickory 2 cords cherry I currently burn about 2.5 to 3 cords a year to heat the house. That looks great, until I figure I am going to build a workshop next year that I will also heat with wood doubling or more my wood consumption. So I need to process another 8-12 cords next year to be 3+ years ahead.
This is surprising to see that amount of moisture especially in the ash but perhaps it is not white ash. I am also amazed when so many folks say they have to dry all their wood in single rows. If it is needed quickly then that is surely the way to go. Yet, we stack like this and have no problems drying. By the way, of the wood pictured, we are still burning from this and there will still be more for next winter too. The wood was cut in 2008-2009 and stacked in April 2009. No, I do not have a moisture meter but it should be okay.
I have to dry in single rows because I'm in a tiny wooded lot with a lot of shade and not enough room to store more than 2yrs worth. I'm too close to the city... Have to do what I can.
