I checked my mc readings from a while back. April 6th, the big live shagbark I bucked up, and split some at that time was 27% mc. So, just with being bucked, it lost over 5%, not even split in about 3 months. The elm from April 6th's readings, were 19.7% mc. Since it was already dry enough to burn when I cut it, I didn't spent more than 2 seconds getting a current reading on 2 splits. One was 16%, one was 14%. It's good, that's all I care about, and the shag should have no problem either by the time it gets really cold.
I like the idea of free standing with a rear flue, I have an insert ( small) and always have to run the noisy blower to get the heat out of the fireplace
