How Long Will Our Woodpile Be Usable

[Country Lady]

We're splitting firewood this weekend. We've rented a splitter so, with some help from our daughter, it's running almost none stop. We've already split plenty for next year, with a lot to start the next year with. Considering the fact that we're in the deep south (plenty of insects), how long can we expect it to hold up if we keep it covered with pieces of tin, weighted down on top?

[dale]

if possible stack it up off the ground. like on two by fours or cement.
when on just the ground it will wick up water and will rot faster. If that is not possible stack it where you will only have one layer on the ground.

I have mine under a carport and have kept some for 4 years.
but I live in Missouri and things the last 2-3 years has been in a drought area.
dale

[Country Lady]

We have the wood on old palets, with the palets on broken brick, so yes, it's off the ground. We had so much wood from Katrina, then last summer we had loggers come in and they left the parts of trees they didn't want, then we had pulpwood haulers come in last Fall, and work around the house, leaving good firewood. It really bothers me to see so much wood go to waste. We're using all we have time to work with. Everyone else is in the same boat, so no one wants the extra we have on the ground.

[Alice In TX/MO]

To last longer, the wood needs more protection. If you think you will use it within three years or so, what you said is fine.

We have an old barn that we store our wood in. Some of it has been there ten years and is fine.

[1withnature]

I have a similar situation to Country Lady's. I've already filled my wood shed and have begun stacking the remaining split wood in alternating layers on pallets. A friend of mine covers and shrink wraps his pallets. He has had great success with the pallets.

Something I find intersting. In my area, I'd have to say the majority of folks can't be bothered with manual labor. They prefer to pay others to do everything for them. And no, it's not because I live a wealthy area. They just don't like to work and they criticize others who do.

Anyway, I've begun gathering others cast-offs. Meanings, they'll pay to have someone cut the tree down, then they must figure out what to do with the felled tree. I offer to take the tree and we're both happy. Making money at this (because I've already thought about that) would require more time, better equipment than what I have, insurance, paid help, etc.

1withnature

[wyld thang]

Wind-in-her-hair, that's a beeeeeaa-uuuuuu-tiful woodpile!

[highlands]

Originally Posted by Country Lady

Considering the fact that we're in the deep south (plenty of insects), how long can we expect it to hold up if we keep it covered with pieces of tin, weighted down on top?

If you keep it dry and up off the ground then the wood gets better and better. 200 year old wood burns most excellently. Try burning that Chippendale or Queen Ann dresser...

Seriously though, I've burned wood that I had cut, split and stacked 10 years before and it was wonderful stuff.

On the other hand, if you let it get moist, wet or be near the ground then it will rot, get punky and be next to useless. Take care of your wood pile.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://NoNAIS.org

[Country Lady]

Thanks for all the replies. WIHH, even your woodpile is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

[hunter63]

Keeping it off the ground, and dry will help all fire wood.

But a lot depends on the wood also.
Some stuff like box elder, 1st year, second year burn it, third year, starting to get "light".

Elm, (I have a lot of dead ones), as long as you cut and stack, keeps very well.

Oak, black walnut, locust seem to last a long time, even when the outside starts getting rotten, the inside is still good. (Watch out for the carpenter ants).

Pine is mostly used for smit and giggles wood, but the bugs seem to get this also.