Not sure how long this has been on Stihl's website, but I just saw it. How to Select, Split, Stack and Store Firewood I'd call it mediocre advice at best. The bit about pine wood containing "tars and resins" that build up in your stove is complete BS as well as pine not burning as hot. I really didn't care for the guys "John Henry" type maul swing either.
I've seen that before. Mediocre is putting it nicely. Have you seen the Husky video regarding felling a tree? Quite a bit of good advice on that one.
"How to Split Wood to the Proper Length for Firewood" WTH? Can't speak for everyone else, but I cut my wood to the "proper" length.
Perpetuating a lot of misinformation from a well known manufacturer, so you know a lot of folks will take it as gospel. I did like the brick and rope thing though.
But he knew that pine needles come from pine trees! But he also says pine doesn't burn very hot. Okay... Strange though that he would not cut a dead oak because there might be bugs in it. He would not last long on this forum. In the second video, I wonder why he thinks he can't split that log with just the maul? Why not? The last video was actually the same thing as the 3rd video but then you can see where it is when it brings up a whole bunch of videos by looking for that blue tarp. The only thing that really struck me about that one is how the ends of the tarp are, so that all rain will flow onto the top of the wood pile rather than off the wood. Why would he not stack the wood higher in the center of that rack so water would run off each end? Such are the norms when it comes to the so-called experts of putting up firewood. Simply put, they know only a very little. But then, the videos are too short to really explain the whys and why nots of things concerning firewood. He did say at the end that wood needs a year to dry properly. At least he is partially right. Wish he would come onto this site so we could teach the lad a thing or three.
So if you guys find a dead oak you leave it alone? That's exactly what I'm looking for when I'm in the wood lot. Doesn't make much sense to cut down the live trees and leave the dead standing.
Standing dead is what I look for. Can't beat it IMO. Don't take the rotten part. Dah! Dave, Thanks for posting this. I was amused at the measuring with chalk. I have a paint mark on my saw blade at 16" so I can pretty close cut in uniform. Works well for me. One less step. But, for someone just starting out there was some good information on a whole.
Heck no, I don't leave. Most of it is fairly small, but that just means it'll finish drying sooner. Probably 1/2 of what I've pulled outta the woods the last couple years is dead/down Oak.
