Argument...wood is going to go bad or not ?

So I have had wood sitting out on pallets for like 1.5-2 years now. Some is that old and some is only been out there seasoning for a year ish. My friend who just started getting into firewood activities, keeps telling me if I dont use my wood soon it’s going to go bad. I had a couple of older pallets covered with tarp, which I now took the tarps off since that wood will be burned soon. I argue with him and explain some wood needs close to 2 years just to season and dry and have good btu’s For burning. I will be organizing all my pallets the next couple of weeks aka moving the seasoned stuff into the garage so it stays dry and possibly covering the newest freshest firewood for the next year or so or until I get through winter. Am I correct with arguing to this bozo the wood is completely fine being outside and close to 2 years while seasoning. I’m going to be using the oldest wood anyway this winter so.....

 

Yes you are. I have some out there that has been sitting for four years, it's fine.

 

If it's off the ground, it won't be rotting any time soon.

I don't like to let any wood go uncovered for more than a year, but you'll find that the rain and subsequent drying will season the wood really well.

 

Ya that’s what I keep saying....except I screwed myself by mixing my wood pallets around and now I don’t know which wood is new and which is old and seasoned lol. I can go by the grayish color and clanking the wood together but starting now I’m going to label and mark my pallets whenever I make a new stack so I know what kind of wood it is and when it was cut

 

You can always split a few pieces and get some moisture readings.

 

I never ever used the moisture method stuff....I don’t know why but always thought it would be inaccurate idk why lol just sounds like a weird method and not accurate wood telling.

 

It's just a continuity test, like checking ohms on a resistor. Wood is an insulator, water is a conductor. The less conductor there is, the lower the reader.

 

No you are not correct in arguing LOL. I've had this conversation more than once with a few people. Bottom line is they're pretty sure that they're correct that wood will rot in a couple years. I just tell them that if it gets too old I'll give it away or sell it. Haven't seen the rot yet even on 4-5 year old wood, it does burn really well though. Easier to smile & thank them for their expertise than try & change their minds.

 

<<Am I correct with arguing to this bozo>>
Once. after that you might be wasting your time, but it is your time.

Takes three years for primo seasoned oak here. For a tree cut/blown down green/living.

I take pics of stacks and dates are in the exif data if I lose track, but I don't move them around.

I burned 4 year old red oak last year and dead standing before that. Well-aged wood burns nice.
I find eastern white pine starts to get soft just like unpainted trim boards on a house do if left unprotected from the elements after a year or so. So I try not to leave it out stacked naked forever.
Hardwood stands up a lot better.

 

Wood doesn’t go “bad” like it’s fruit or something...as long as it stays dry. That’s why hundred year old + wood buildings burn so well and cities have fire departments. Think about it. If wood went “bad” then we wouldn’t have to worry about houses burning down.

 

Yes, different wood species season at different rates. 2 years seasoning will get most wood dry and under 20% moisture content. Some tree species can be cut green, and if split and stacked right away, can be ready to burn in 6 months. Others can take up to 3-4 years. There's a lot of variables though.

A moisture meter will quickly tell you what you need to know.

 

I guess your friend likes burning green wood. Well when the creosote builds up and he cannot understand why and the fire does not start very easy then you can tell him again.

 

Lmao...do I have to split what I think is old seasoned wood? It’s already split, can’t I just stick probes on the piece of seasoned firewood and see what it says ? I have to split it again in order to check moisture

 

must split to get an accurate result. Outside old split face will give you a false reading.
If you know its “old” or drier, then just stack it in an area where the breeze will at least catch some of it as long as its top covered. Helps if your wood has been out in the rain and needs to shed it a little bit for the most part, it’s not gonna hurt the wood. Most people on here have reason to bring it in where their stove is so that if it is wet, it gets dried out rather quickly. Couple days if that. Personally I don’t keep any wood inside but that’s subject to change as it may help me keep a fire going more continuously.
Hope your friend sees your perspective. No need to argue. But if he thinks wood has a shelf life of 6 months or something... makes you wonder what he’s burning or what kinda water he’s drinkin’.... you wouldn’t carry a bucket of steam would you?

 

Just do like you did
State the facts, dry seasoned wood burns much better, hotter, cleaner &
will last stacked up for 20+ years
Just Ask Dennis. (AKA Backwoodsavage ).

 

I have some oak boards in my pole barn that are 46 years old , it sure isn't rotten and it's doin just fine kept out of the weather , splits or boards ,it's all wood just a different shape

 

Does your friend know that houses are built with wood? If it's dry it won't rot.

 

I bought some 3 year seasoned red oak about about 8 years ago and amazingly some of it has made its way to the bottom of some of my stacks way in the back. Its been off the ground the whole time and still strong like bull. My new neighbor moved in last year who is a carpenter and keeps telling me half my wood will rot before I use it so he doesn't understand why I keep hoarding more. I agree with the others and thank them for their expertise and hoard on. As a side note I don't cover my stacks, but that just works for me since St. Louis is known for 100°F weather for at least 4 months out of the year. Hope this helps!!

 

Nicholas62388

I am burning oak, maple, ash that has been cut 7 and 8 years ago.....and piled outside.

Burns great.

BTW, sounds like your friend means well, but I bet he is the same type of person that will tell you burning pine is a chief source of chimney fires!

 

If you are concerned about it rotting, ask any nearby member to help you burn it before it rots, we will all chip in to help a brother save his wood from going to waste