I live 150 ish miles from the coast. I am in what we call the piedmont. Just below the foothills of the moutains. I can be in the SC moutains in less that 2 hours drive. Or maybe 100 miles. It's mild he as northerners call it. Today our high was 42f. But we have had 2 or 3 warm winters. Normal years I burn 2.5 to 3 cords a year oF mostly oak. With a bit of hickory, some small amout of pine, sweet gum or elm (incidental trees cut as I get desirable species), some times cedar and some ash...and a few other species randomly as well like dogwood, persimmon etc. My house is 3000 Sq ft. And is old. Being built around 1960 when fuel oil was cheap no one used insulation as we were the south. So I only have attic insulation in 2/3 of my home nothing in walls or floor, so I loose heat fast. On a 25 degree night I actually loose heat faster than the heat pump can put it into my house!! (That's when I decided to go full time wood) . But I normally , on a normal year might start burning mid October and end in april. The last few years I have started the first part of November or late december. I keep a fire usually, except for a wolate front that gets hot and I let it go out, but I keep one from basically Nov to april. I may only load once every other day in warm periods or one a day when a bit cooler like 40s or 50s at night, but right now in this cold snap it's 2 loads a day and maybe 2 or 3 extra inbetween.
Cool, thanks. I like learning sbout different places. Got a couple SC people on a truck forum I'm on, I know one is right by the coast and loves getting a little snow cause it only happens every several years. I do know one thing, it's amazing how going even 10 miles or less in any direction can change climate like you wouldn't believe. Hmm, Heat pumps are getting more common these days, no experience with one myself. Can't beat wood if you ask me, oil is acceptable but I can't stand electric
I grew up on the coast, like less than a mile from the river or ocean in charleston. We are a good on average about 10 degrees cooler at night normally than them. They often don't get a first frost till January most years. And snow is like you said in frequent. Looks like coastal areas down there will get a frost tonight though. Where I am we usually will have a few snows a year, seldom stick more than overnight, the last few years have been warmer with wacky patterns though. More north in the state where my farm is, below charlotte NC and will be same to 4 degrees cooler usually, and the moutains will be similar to about 5 degrees cooler than me in winter. Summer time we are as hot or hotter than the coast usually, the ocean keeps them cooler in summer and warmer in winter But also gives them more humidity in summer.
I am still learning to climb, and wow I am sore as hell, lol....I am in pretty good shape, but I have a lot easier day job than I used to!!!
I got a new to me ax today and chopped a small Ash tree down. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack!
Looks pretty solid yet, why did it need to come down? Just the lean toward the house? Has some nice looking grain also. Nice job!
Sadly it’s was to close to the new septic finger system I had put in.... I have another 1-2 that need to come down.... Luckily it was on the north side of my house so it wasn’t blocking any sun...
Happy New Year Folks! Ready for next winter, I’ve moved as much of that load I split last year into my shed. Some is outside but I’ll put that in the dry as I make space. Hopefully I’ll take delivery of some more in the coming weeks, split & season. Now I’m building up the reserves it should increase the seasoning time. Next Winter’s fuel will have been drying for around 14 months before I burn. The next load will have more like 20 months.
Nice stack, and nice stonework on your dwelling. Do you live in an old rectory or something? You deserve extra credit for your wood hoard. I understand from other Brits in this club that wood in the UK is difficult to come by.
Thanks, yes it’s an Old Church, I think there are some pictures further up the thread from last year when I had the first delivery.
Yes, I found them. Lovely- and a big space to heat! Its always good to have more than one source of heat. Your wood will take the chill off nicely.
Long time lurker, new poster. I finally remembered to grab my phone and take some pictures before unloading a load. I brought home some red oak from a friend. Based on how the tractor handled it, I’m guessing it was close to a cord on the trailer. Each one of the large logs were around 1500 lbs. . Also figured I’d show how I store the splits. Each box holds approximately a face cord. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk