Today I had some time and it was a nice day so I went down to the state land I have a permit to cut some firewood on and got into so downed oak and white elm. The red oak had about an inch of punk around the outside but the inner core was solid. Is this stuff fine to burn in an EPA stove or should I try to split that inch of punk off. I don't plan on burning tis wood until next winter at the soonest. I ended up with a good load and a half today I would say about 3/4 of a cord, I wanted to get a full cord done today but I am cutting around Indian burial grounds so I can't drive back in to get the wood, I have been pulling it out in an otter sled about 50-75 yards to the trailer and jeep. It is some work but I hate seeing good wood go to waste.
If you don't cover it, it'll continue to punk. Won't be the end of the world, but just an FYI. You could knock some off and keep track over the winter to see if it makes much difference.
Thanks if I throw it in the stove with the punk on it will it make a smoldering mess and cause creosote or just burn away fast?
If the wood itself is dry, you're gooder to go. If not, that itself will cause problems. The punk is the least of your worries if the wood isn't dry.
As Dave said, cover up the wood as soon as you can and it will neutralize the sapwood from getting any worse. The core will still burn plenty hot
A lot of the standing dead I cut is punky on the outside. A lot comes off as I handle it, but what doesn't lights fast when dry and burns up just the same. No more noticable ash than stuff with bark.
Ok sounds great guys thank you. The wood seem pretty dry right now being it was dead and off the groun does the 3 year seasoning still apply with this oak or would it be good to go next winter do you think if I get it stacked and coverd up. I did split it with the fiskars when I was loading the trailer.
That's anybody's guess if it will be ready next year. I've seen dead downed wood be ready right away and some that wasn't even close. I was never a person that thought a moisture meter was really needed but they are nice to have around for this reason.
Oak is very easy to split so dont use the fact the you did it by hand as any sort of judgement. But its nice you used fiskars! Dead and off the ground helps. Not likely to need three years but hard to say if it will be at its prime in as little as one year.
Going to get one of those meters I was going to buy one the other day at menards but forgot about it in the excitement of my new DHT splitter purchase lol. It was good to get some wood today to try and stay ahead of the game for next year. The dolmar was running great also. I like the 6400 but may get a smaller saw to play with also. Not sure yet as the 6400 seems to be an all around good saw.
I snagged 7 cords+ of dead standing last Winter and some is punky. It burns and lights off fine kept dry. If uncovered it can get rain/snowmelt soaked like a sponge, heavy and frozen can be a PITA to thaw out.
Get it stacked up off the ground in a good sunny, windy spot, good air spacing, top covered, it might be good to go. I'd keep the oak separate just in case. Get the oak CSS'd ASAP For next year if you can get some other wood CSS'd so it has all summer to season, it should be good to burn for 15/16 Then if the oak needs another year, you'll be ahead for 2016/17 & have some prime oak ready to burn Hard work but worth the effort No gym membership needed, you're getting a workout. 3/4 cord buy hand & sled is a good days work ! Having fun , good exercise, in the woods running a chainsaw, Life is good ! BTUs for the stove is $ $ How many cord can you get ?
I found the tops of the trees ( didn't have many branches left ) was 20% or less ( middle of a split ). Burned a little bit of the stuff we cut in November the following April. The bottoms of the trees were wet and heavy , some even oozing a tiny bit of water while splitting. Stacked and top covered they are all nice this Winter.
In my experience once you get it top covered the punk dries quickly. That wood sounds like it needs some dry time though.
