A good read. Best example I've seen of seasoning wood methods/results. Study done in Fairbanks 2011. Amazing to me was the fresh cut moisture content of Spring birch was (57% ) much lower than Fall fresh cut birch (80%). Seem I'd be better to cut in early Spring by quite a bit, but I have 3 years to let it dry. Split & stacked on pallets , top covered in an open field, ( Simulated woodshed) got best/fastest results . Solar kiln go good results too but study only did Aspen in kiln) Spruce dries a lot faster than birch. Cut wood in the Spring & it can be ready by Fall Wood does dry quite a bit through Winter. See study: Click here / Study link From study: "uncovered firewood was at risk of gaining moisture from rain." "This study shows that if firewood from a spring harvest is split, several firewood storage methods allow for rapid curing over the summer months, achieving moisture contents equal to or less than 20% in 6 weeks to 3 months." "The results of this study clearly demonstrate that it is possible to dry firewood cut in the spring in Fairbanks over a single summer to moisture content levels that optimize wood burning efficiency " Some pics from the study
Very interesting dave. I'm assuming the 6 week to 3 month dry times were using a solar kiln? That's mighty quick to get below 20%
In the study they only used the kiln to test aspen, with about the same results as top covered.. Page 7 : http://dec.alaska.gov/air/anpms/Projects&Reports/DOCS/Wood Storage Best Practices - Final Report.pdf Fairbanks , in the summer , has lots of daylight.
The extra daylight didn't occur to me, I bet that helps drying considerably. What kind of temps do you guys usually see in summertime?
Nice to see they included the ubiquitous blue tarp. It looks a little too new/intact for a proper comparison. More seriously, it is nice to see realistic trials - this type of field trial is what the Extension Service used to do a lot of. Sugar Maple research here in VT shows that in addition to the spring run of sap it also flows in the fall, so the tree is not drier in the fall. I wonder how similar the birch is (I wonder if they could be successfully tapped in the fall). My BIL recently reminded me of the tradition of dropping the tree with leaves on and waiting for them to dry, with the assumption that they are drawing the moisture out of the trunk as they dry (he talks of "leaning" them). Work with forages suggest this might not be as effective as hoped - forages close their gas exchange openings (stomatas) as they lose moisture in order to conserve moisture, and I expect leaves function much the same.
Very interesting study. Adds the scientific proof behind what all of us that have burned wood for awhile already knew. Off the ground under cover is for most of us the easiest method.
Not much sugar in the fall. Sugar stored in the roots thru winter then pumped to the leaves for quick spring growth. I think I'm OK with Fall cutting, season thru winter & I bet I'm less than 50% H2O by Spring. But it shows, if needed you can cut in Spring season thru Summer & it be ready to burn. I have a buddy that drops the trees in the spring just as they start to leaf out. Leave grow all summer, then he limbs , bucks * splits & stacks. Says pretty light weight & dry. But the study shows > 20% if you cut , limb, buck ,split & stack off the ground -top covered in spring. Not sure which is better. I don't have the option to cut 7 cords & let them lay thru summer then CSS. Be a good test though.
I liked how the called on pallets & top covered "Simulated woodshed" Not sure they'd get the same good results if the wood shed had 3 or 4 sides, getting less sun & air.
I don't think their Solar kiln had a layer of plastic on the ground for a vapor barrier,m & no pallet . Wood was right on the ground Augie's has a layer on the ground, that hast to help.
Also looks like the top back could be open. Augie's design is completely sealed except for weep holes to let out the condensation.
yeah I going to comment on the same thing. No air circulation. Most effective kilns need warm air movement....that's the whole concept. Sorta like covering the pile with a clear p
Interesting study - in line with what a lot of us have seen - sure it won't put all these debates to rest though. What fun would that be? Of course the results apply to that particular climate, others may have different conditions and take longer. Great stuff though - love sharing notes with you fellas while I run my own version of these tests!
Need to get Augie here & give his ideas on their solar kiln. I like the construction but not the wood on the ground
