So...you think your firewood doesn't need covered...

We've had 30-35 inches of rain so far this year. (more just to our east)
That is already more than our yearly average. It rained 7 out of the last 10 days. (about 10") It's predicted to rain 7 out of the next ten days.
I'd guess we've had almost 20 inches of rain since we planted our garden...
needless to say... it's not looking too good.

So... I bring you this Public Service Announcement. Cover your wood!






What say you, hoarders?

 

oh, I have 95% oak in my stacks. I need all the dry weather I can get!

 

Probably a gooder idea, but I don't bother. Nowadays, once it goes in the shed, it's gonna' be there for another year-year and a half under cover, and it's dry before going in.
I have noticed the Oak will start getting a bit punky after 3 years if not covered.
This is with a lot of rain or little rain.

 

I notice the fungus growing on oak more than anything else.
like this

 

Just be happy it came in liquid form. What would you do with 40 feet of snow? Always said precip averages out over the year, we had way above normal snow last winter and very little rain this spring/summer. Seems to be true. We'll see what this winter brings.

 

I tarp all stacks, all the time.

 

I would love to cover my stacks but just gave up finally. I get so much wind coming up through the pasture that nothing will stay on other than tarps and they only last a season. If it goes bad I'll cut more...... ....I do have some plans in the works to build a shed eventually for some.

 

I cut dead standing oak. In 3 years (with no cover) the sapwood is a mess. A soggy mess after a rain.

 

I cut mostly evergreens. With no rain from July 4 through early September, it is just fine when I get it in the woodshed, depite being uncovered year round.

 

I think this covers it. We also have have a lot of rain. My dead standing ASH has moss growing on the bark. Sure wish I covered my stacks. Hard with wind rows. I do have a shed for the year before,but I wonder....

 

in your case, top covering may not even help much. that constant wind will dry out the wood pretty well.
we get very little wind here. we're in a hollow in a valley ...more like a bowl...
a really damp bowl...lol

 

I've been a fan of using pieces of rubber tarp my dad gave me from when he worked @ PPG. Used it from day 1, then I got about a 25' length of roofing rubber. Works a treat! (pic from '12)

 

x2

 

I can see conceptually why it’s good. But I don’t see as much a need with the outdoor boiler. I have burned it both covered and uncovered and it seems to be just about the same. Indoor burning guys are different I know.

 

Once in awhile if I stack of section in the summer, I will leave it uncovered for awhile but Basically I cover it As soon as it is stacked ,Never had any trouble burning Oak with Punky sapwood ,Once that is split it is Immediately covered

 

The log pile I'm working on now (cut and stacked) will be covered in the fall before the rains and snows start. Then, the cover stays on until I sacrifice it to the fire!

 

I will leave the stacks uncovered till they're full. Then I like to cover them asap.
I know the rain won't hurt this uncovered wood, but we get so much rain and snow, and living in the woods, leaves...lots of leaves. and leaves on the stacks hold in moisture.
I do have one full stack I finished about three months ago that needs covered... Too many bees around the stacks though this time of year... And I dont want to go playing on the stack and getting them stirred up...