This White Oak has been CCS for 2 or 3 years, I’m not sure of the exact date I cut it up. I figured it was going to be close to ready so I dug out a split from the stack and split it open. It should be ready by next season. It is stacked in a decent location but not as good as my other stacks. One of my boys is struggling with game addiction so I might have him move it from one spot to the other stacking area. I like Oak when it is seasoned but if I didn’t have the room to store it I would focus on stuff that only takes one or two years. Edit: I looked through my pics and the wood was cut and split October or November 2015.
If you had to burn it you could. But no sense if you have another year to let it go. I find that 25% and under is acceptable, just takes a tad longer to get going on a reload but will still get up to temp just fine and give me a smoke free burn with good secondaries.
This makes me want to split and check some purchased splits (stacked by me and Fire Flake) from October 2015.... been waiting to utilize some of this R/W oak in the upcoming winter.
Black oak takes a very long time. It has a high moisture content, for oak, and doesn't give it up easily because of its density.
Yeah, some people avoid oak because it takes so darned long, but if you have room and can wait and get it under 18% it is oh so nice. I have two cords left of some red oak that is now 4 years in the stack and is really great January/February heat. I've got a lot of white oak in-process and is from trees that have been in decline and died from repeated gypsy moth infestations. The sap wood is a bit soft. I'm not sure how good it's going to be two or more years from now. And I've got a bunch of it.
I thought it was enough sun and wind. I’ll have the boy move it, he is due some labor time away from any electronics.
Sound like oak might need the 4-5 year plan. No worries though, A good reason to go cut more wood. Top covered it’ll last many years.
I have no experience with white oak but I have 2 face cords of red oak that was css in 2010. It was in full sun and wind for 3 years and has been under roof for the last 5 years. It still test at 18%. I better have a good reason to put some splits in the stove cause here comes the BTU’s!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Never had the privilege of burning white oak, but I can say the red oak around here certainly seems to benefit from being split small and stacked in a windy, sunny place. Would love to sock away some white oak, but it just doesn't grow here!
Same here, I’ve got birch & spruce White oak would be awesome. Only thing better would be shagbark hickory.
I have mostly red and white oak in my stacks. 4 year rotation and will still come across a sizzler or 2 weekly. But man does it heat nicely and hold coals. I will mix in a couple chunks on each load, with softer wood, because when I'm loading the IS on 24 hour runs in mild temps (10 or so hrs of actual heating) I can shut it up tight in the morning, come home at night open the air back wide open and they will revive enough for a bit of kindling and a full reload. I like a mix of all density wood but lots of oak available due to oak wilt in the area.
We'll be burning some 5 year old red oak this winter. Looks to be super and I've burned just a couple splits so far and they were wonderful.
I just cracked open some 2 year old css red oak splits to check out the %. Avg moisture was 18%. I was surprised because the spot that cord is stacked gets plenty of wind but not much sun and it's stacked 3 rows deep. My sample splits were from the upper middle row. I'm hoping to be able to sit on this cord another summer but its ready to burn if needed this winter. I cracked open a mulberry split from this past spring and it was at 23% inside. Should be ready to go next winter after css'ing for 2 summers. I'm still pushing to get on the 3 year plan. Maybe I should look for more pine this winter and get that ready for next winter so I'll be able to get that mulberry to the 3rd summer.
