Had a branch come down in my woods, cut up and split it read 21%. If I put this in my rack for this year will it be dry enough to burn this winter or should I mix it in with next years?
Looks like it was a dead branch, so it could be burned this year if you really needed it. Left near the hot stove for a couple days should get it below 20%. I’m in agreement with Mike that next year it’ll be better though. Oak shouldn’t be rushed, although sometimes under the right circumstances dead oak can be dried relatively quickly.
We are a little short on dry wood. My property is all oak, so have a bunch stacked and drying, but have had to scrounge other fast drying trees from elsewhere. Didn't heat with wood before this year .
I’ve dumped some 21% oak straight from the tree into the basement years past. It was better than anything else I had If you need it burn it. I won’t say anything.
This seems like a good idea. Or you can do what buZZsaw BRAD does and put it in your pantry or linen closet or bedroom dresser. Does oak dry well when it’s stacked up against your unmentionables?
Burn away but we save oak for January-February and early March. 21% now should be okay then if it is handled right.
Yup, save it for later in the season if you can. If you are light on dry wood this year then look for "junk wood"...low BTU stuff that most wood snobs pass by...pine, poplar, silver maple, box elder, dead dry ash, etc etc...that stuff dries quickly and is easier to find, especially for free...and it is really all you need when the weather is not that cold...it will extend your "good firewood" so that it can be saved for the really cold weather.
Jdu94 where in Michigan are you? I have dry wood stashed in several places. It's mostly cottonwood and some elm but it's ready to burn.
Save for when it really gets cold but since you're burning now or soon anyway, you should be good. For many of us we're gonna suggest the stuff waits until it's prime. If it's a dead branch, can't say it would be too bad. Standing dead trees are gonna get the at least a year drying treatment but that's because the tops are gonna be more dry than the ground and the mid-way through the tree. I don't get oak native here, it's usually found as a specially planted yard tree in neighborhoods that did that and they grow pretty well here in PNW. Just not as tight grained. Great firewood when we get to it.
