Maybe, but the dryer the better, no? If you have a moisture meter, use that on it next year. I'd wait.
I would say if you cut it pretty soon and get it split and stacked you would be fine, especially if you have a good hot Virginia summer.
Summers are usually hot here. May top cover and see if that helps keep the rain off the wood since this past summer seemed unusually wet.
Maple seasons pretty quickly. I don't see why it wouldn't be ready for next fall off split and stacked now. I'm a firm believer in using a moisture meter. It will tell you everything you need to know.
I have two more stacks just like it. By my count, I only need to scrounge 4-5 more trailer loads of wood for this coming winter. After that, I'm gonna focus on CSS red maples for the rest of the winter and try to get on that 3 year plan.
I've done it, but it burns a little nicer when I get it put up in the spring, then use it about 18 months later. As suggested, get a MM, then resplit a few random pieces next spring and check them.
Good point. That stuff seems fairly skinny, so it should dry pretty well and quicker than the stuff I split. As I was stacking in the shed, I kept asking myself why I split most of them so big. I think I was planning to use 'em for overnight fires or something.
+5 It'll burn fine with 12 months seasoning. Perfect job stacking: Off the ground, singel row, loose stacked , in the open, good air circulation !!! Top cover if you can. Stove type ? Catalytic's like real dry stuff.
You'll be fine-increase that distance off the ground moving forward to at least 12", face it south with no shade---it will be @10-12% by next burning season-I guarantee it...
AIR, from the bottom up, is key...single row is important too but if you leave 8-12" in between double rows=just fine too!
You'll be ok to burn that next year, I've done it many years with Red Maple 14 to 15 months drying. Looking at your pics it looks great, small splits, good air flow= good to go!!!
