Yes, oak, lol. And, i just checked some wood i just split, 24% moisture reading, and that one particular chunk was 13'' diameter by 22'' long. It was loaded with wire, that's why i waited to split it. It showed some good signs of weather cracking, and it was very gnarly wood. I split it down to 3'' pieces x 22'' long. Marked and dated the bigger one's so i can see how long it takes to cure.
So 20 - 25 percent is about right for wood to burn? This is what I have been told and read about at different places.
Rather than start another thread, I though I'd post in this one on my wood drying. I cut this wood about 3 1/2 months ago. The wood when I split it was in the low to mid 30% range in moisture. I check it today. The pic shows the results of a fresh split. It has been really hot here and the wind blows. I stack with the front and back facing North/South since this is how the wind blows here most of the time. I was shocked at how much it has dried in that amount of time, even with the hot weather. My stacks have shrunk in height considerably and I'll need to add some wood to them before selling because of it. Still in disbelief, I split a few more with the same results. Even split some from the pile you see in the photo with the stacks in the background which were fully split. Same result. Need to split some from the other pile that is just busted down for loading and not completely split to see what the difference in moisture is com paired to the other. This is my first year doing firewood and from all the reading here, I though I may have to keep this wood for a year or two before selling. I think most of you guys live in cooler and wetter areas.
Is that the oak from that huge score you had a while back bigfrank ? From the looks and sounds of things you have the perfect drying conditions...mother nature's kiln. You're lucky as all my wood is stored in shaded areas, unless leaves are down of course. I guess you could try and burn some and see what happens. Thats the ultimate test!
Full summer sun and wind exposure do a heck of a job drying out wood. Think how much evaporation occurs when it’s sunny, breezy, and 90+.
I’m sure this has been covered before but how do you secure the metal roofing material. I have recently tried this method but even a few finder blocks on top were not enough to hold down that light aluminmun during an recent thunderstorm front that rolled though violently a come of weeks ago here. Anyone use straps or bungees ro secure metal roofing top cover?
I used a boatload of uglies making sure they are bearing on something solid so not to distort the metal. The stacks are located in a wooded area and rather well protected from wind. Only had metal for a couple months and my first time using it. Its painted steel. Need another piece of metal to complete, but big uglies on top. 16' long metal This stack has several 4' long 2x12's on top. Like i said time will tell how it holds up with wind. In your case try running a piece of framing lumber, (heavier the better) along the stack and screwing metal to it and weight down as well.
Mean while, in the PNW, It looks like we're going to stay in the mid to high 80's all this week, and up into the low 90's starting this Sunday. GOOOOOOOOOD wood dryin weather for sure!!!
It is oak. I'm not sure if it was completely dead, but it did have woodpecker holds in it. It was 6' at the stump and is still standing 25' in the air. What were were cutting was from about 25-30' up and the rounds were 34" across. I tested it when I got home and it was mid 30% moisture. That was about 3-3.5 months ago.
It needs something heavy. I usually throw some uglies on top but also many times I'll put a big block up; one that is so heavy I need the FEL on the tractor to get it up there. EDIT: I should have added that it is the most important to weigh down the ends. You don't need much to hold down the center in most cases.
Good advice. You want the corners and edges to fold down like an airplane wing. Straps and bungees can rip and flail till they break - then the whole works flys away.
I'll be doing a walk through of my wood yard, identifying the specific racks of wood that I expect to be burning this coming heating season. Once identified, I'll be sure to have them well covered. Most already are. Other racks will remain uncovered until next year. Only my newest css wood, is uncovered.
