I often wondered this myself but because we have different climates and whatnot, we can only decide on a relative density of wood, fresh cut wet and then dry. Testing usually is done on a molecular scale, so after crunching those numbers, they were able to find that this size piece was relative to weights and then geometry goes to work. Usually the math works out as long as standard deviances are made with it for range comparison. Basically it’s as if you formed a block of wood the size of a cord and weighed it. Nothing is exact since it is a biological thing with variables but since this helped loggers most bang for their buck, they’d send their logs out to be pulpwood. There’s a member here who’s laid up with cancer, I don’t know if he’s doing well... but he’d be one to tell you a lot about it. But they’d weigh the trucks based on the wood type and then crunch those numbers to belt out a price. Only problems are that from a financial scale, this was a give and take industry so if equipment wasn’t running all the time consistently, money just wasn’t being made. Made it expensive just to make things sit and some woods are More money makers for pulpwood than other uses. I believe he mentioned that since he cut trees on his own land, cutting wood into logs for firewood was not a feasible option as the load/driver wouldn’t make money. The processing plant would pay more in turnover for wood as it was just quicker than dropping logs at random customers houses who could have been 30 miles away or so. Not a consistent market for using logs like that when the processing plant would take them at a more steady rate but depending on the price of the pulpwood, he did make a decision on whether or not to have his trucks turn around to sell or not. Price of a cord of wood in weight can apparently fluctuate like a matter of pennies it seems!
So I am late to this party but when I read some of these type posts this is how I think no offense to the OP. An old gent Couldn't afford a cord, couldn't afford a half cord I would of loaded the truck and delivered the guy a load.
I already did it. He has a brother and a sister and I found out they all live together in the original family home. They are able-bodied and are not destitute but I like them and took them a truckload. Yet, no offense, but I'm slightly offended, lol. I do find your post a litle holier-than-thou. You have no idea what my charity level is. And you have no idea how many people have taken advantage of me. If anything, I am too easy in this town.
More data Yawner Restacked some seasoning red oak yesterday in my 5'x10' half cord rack. About 375 splits as pictured. I know, i know, im a little OCD
We brought wood into the garage this weekend for the first time this season. For a second I was going to go count. For a second! I did count 12 high, twice 24 wide, once. It measures 3 1/4 ft by 9. I try to cut 18” pieces. That comes to 840 pieces in a cord.
Loaded that half cord of oak for delivery tomorrow Yawner. Back of PU has a single row stack by the tailboard and the rest of splits thrown in. 8' bed
