I know silly question. But I have heard that there are certain times of year that are best. What do you think and why?
The best time to cut is when you have a saw in your hands. But I prefer the winter and spring. Fall is for hunting. Summer is hot and the bugs are terrible. It's also best not to cut oaks in the summer in areas where oak wilt is occurring. Everyone has their own preference though, and no one is right or wrong.
I like cool dry days. Mid fall through most of the winter and into mid spring. Cold doesn't bother too much so unless it's got a real bite winter cutting is fine with me.
I cut until I can't get in the woods anymore, but a lot of what I cut is dead standing or on the ground, partially due to the Oak wilt and partially because I'm trying to get back into the 3 year plan. Dead Oak dries a little quicker. I've heard that fall and winter is good if cutting live trees, as the sap is down, but I don't know. I generally stay out of the woods between the 1st of May and the end of June, just because that seems to be when the ticks are most prevalent. If it's hot, I just stay hydrated and slow down (even more than usual). If there's a load of logs in the driveway, I'll cut on those as long as I can get to 'em, no matter the temp.
For me, it's when the ice or snow is off the hills. We have some nice wood that was taken down by strong winds that are on the side of these hills.
On a normal year I cant get in the bush in the valley bottom from about mid November until sometime in April because of snow depth although it varies from year to year. Once the snow is gone I spend lots of time putting up firewood and chase the snow line up the mountains. I tend to go with green blow overs first so they get maximum time to dry but I only do about a cord or less a year of that as I have to much standing dead that is close to burn ready to bother with green. The majority of my wood for the following year is put up by June sometime and then just pick away at it for the rest of the season. Im not a fan of cutting in anything over about 20c but I still go. Its hard to take all winter off from cutting and then not do it just because of heat so like papadave says you just slow down a bit and drink lots of fluids.
I cut when the weather is comfortable. I hate cutting when it's hot. That's one of the advantages of being years ahead on wood.
I try to do all mine during Sept/Nov thru April. Partly due to the heat and partly due to the fact that the months in between are better spent on the motorcycle!
Cooler weather is more comfortable regarding temperature and bugs. But the sun sets early and the ground is often muddy. Summer has the daylight and dry ground. I do it when I can.
I cut wood all times of the year. But I don't do much of it outside during the winter due to snow and shorter days. Thats when I cut wood inside, in my basement workshop. If I'm dropping trees I'd rather do it early spring/fall so I can more easily see what's in the canopy. But ma nature has been mostly taking care of that part for me lately.
Most times late fall and winter, up through mid-February is the best time to cut firewood. Sap is down. Leaves are off so you can see what's up top better and also for felling. Don't have to waste time and energy swatting skeeters and other insects. Birds are not nesting. Other crittters are also not raising families. Much easier to do the hard work when it is cool or cold outside than having to wipe sweat out of your eyes in between swatting bugs in summer months. Fall is a good time to cut along with winter but around here we spend more time hunting in the fall so usually don't get started on the wood until December 1. By then we've hunted enough and it is good to get out to get that exercise once again. I used to cut more in winter than I do now but as I've aged, it seems I can't take as much cold as I could when younger. But somehow I just don't seem to mind spending the time next to the stove when it is really cold or snowing or real windy outdoors. Also not too fond of having fresh snow falling off the trees so usually wait after a storm for the snow to get off the trees. But overall, perhaps the best time to cut is when you can.
I'll cut anytime other than in the summer unless I absolutely have to but those days are over I believe.
Fall and spring are my favorite times. Winter is ok if it's not icy windy or snowy. I have cut in summer, often actually, but really don't like it - not so much the heat but the humidity and bugs. Getting ready to cut every weekend that I'm not busy between now and the end of May and try to get it all done before it gets too hot.
Since I am on a three year rotation I cut in the spring, usually March 1st to June 1st. After June 1st it is too hot and muggy. Then I'll only cut if really premo wood falls into my lap and I can hide it from the boss until it is too late for her to say "NOOOOO." I only have enough space for about 12 cords without getting a divorce. I use 3.5 to 4.5 a year. As soon as heating season winds down I start scrounging to fill the space I emptied during burning season. KaptJaq
I really like cutting in early fall but I won't do it again this year. I pulled 5 ticks off myself last year and have gotten lime each of the last two years around that time. Ticks are awful here and so is lime. So late fall through spring for me is just as good!
