Wood

[65284]

I've got a large red oak tree that divides into 3 trunks about 3 feet above ground level each is 24-30 inches in diameter. One has already split off and fallen so I am going to take down the other 2 before they too fall and possibly kill a cow.

My question is: if I fell them now before the sap rises, cut them into firewood length, split and stack the wood on pallets so air can circulate up from the bottom, and cover the whole pile with black plastic with some kind of opening in the top so it can ventilate, would it season enough to burn well next winter? I hate trying to burn poorly seasoned wood.

[tyusclan]

I would just cover the top to keep most of the rain off and let air circulate all around the wood.

I would think it would be fine by next winter.

[ericjeeper]

I would split it and stack it east to west so the sun can shine at the end grains. Only cover it next fall. The summer rains will actually help to season it.. And even after all this it will still be slightly green by next winter.

[Cabin Fever]

Based on my experience in Minnesota, oak will not fully season in 1/2 year. The best thing you can do is stack it on pallets (as you plan on), stack it so each layer is perpendicular to the layer below it (ie, don't stack with all the ends facing the same direction), stack only one layer deep (ie, maximum of 16 ot 18" depth for each stack) and cover just the top of the stack with plastic.

[MELOC]

do yourself a favor and get on that tree before the sap does rise. i have white and red oak tops that were cut green in 2006 and still are not ready to burn. i have higher hopes for the black locust trees i plan to cull this spring. i hope they are ready by christmas, lol.

[mwhit]

I'd suggest covering the whole pile with plastic this summer in full sun-- leave air space underneath (under the pallets) and it will dry much faster. It's basically a solar drier.

Michelle