Wood is indeed heavy when it isn’t split for one. Two: you said you got elm, elm one of the woods that just doesn’t seem to get rid of moisture all that well. Seems to reabsorb it at a quicker pace than I can say. I didn’t cover it really well so the hygroscopic properties of wood didn’t help me there so good on you to figure out the shed/barn to stack it up in.
Checking moisture content should only be done on a fresh split face of a firewood split, never on an “end” grain/cut.
Not 100% on the elem. I know some of it was red elm, but 80% of it had a elm type grain that was all curvy and gnarly and a pain to split that for sure. Here are some pics. The moisture meter was a piece I just split again this am. This section wood was split on the splitter last weekend. Does 17.5% seem right? I thought below 20% was ready to burn and I was surprised at these numbers.
It does seem your measurements are a little low for freshly split wood, but red elm trees often die, shed their bark and can end up drying pretty well before they are taken down. Your wood stack storage is excellent! Off the ground, good airflow and lots of sun which is helping. Try measuring some of the "other" wood from the more freshly splits and I bet they might be a little higher. the further your able to get those pins into the wood (without busting it) the higher your readings will be.
Well from a fellow Hoosier I pray a safe and quick firewood process. Good pile of wood you have there. We have had some good weather here recently. I cut a 1/2 cord yesterday.
That's a good amount of wood. Was the elm barkless? If so, I don't doubt those moisture meter readings. I can cut dead standing elm that the bark has fallen off and it's ready to burn day 1. Usually the bottom few feet (6-8) have a bit to much moisture and that goes in the stacks for the next year.
Welcome to FHC Steve Burns Wood But yes, in the right conditions elm will dry out fairly quickly. When you tap two pieces together what kinda of sound do you hear? A clink or thud?
Good point...if they have a ring to them like a baseball bat...usually means ready to burn This test is easier with smaller splits or rounds...
Interesting. Lots of these pieces had a really soft outer ring where the bark would be that a soft almost powdery wood that just fall off. Like a 2” inch ring. I will test some more pieces. Raining at the moment. I need to build some cover but haven’t figured out how I want to do the posts and roof yet.
May I suggest wood or steel, or some combination of both? Sorry, just stretching my “Duke of Snarkiness” wings..... ........ right Chaz?
Some more pictures of some of the before... z gnarly stuff. The last one was cherry I believe. That stuff split apart and throw the splits five feet just from walking by....
One must do what comes naturally. Always play to your strengths. Looks like a bit of punk in that wood makey98 Had my fair share myself in the logs I had left.
Question for you all. I have been meaning to build a structure to cover this wood but haven’t had the time. What are your thoughts on tarps? Seems it would keep moisture in a bit and blocks the sun, but keeps on rain and snow. Benefits outweigh the downsides. Hopefully can build the shelter this winter or spring so this is temporary.
Tarps are fine...just cover the top though, leave the sides open or you will get no drying. Keep an eye open for free or cheap tin roofing, or pieces of EPDM rubbing from flat roof buildings for long term wood pile covers...keeping tarps on gets old quick...
