A time to cut, a time to buck, a time to split and a time to stack

The first foggy cool morning of the summer reminded me that it won't last forever, so I've been trying to get the woodpile sorted.   I have about 2 cords set up so far, and another cord in the big pile that's starting to season.  I enjoy cutting and splitting the wood, the smell and feel of it, it's good exercise, and the idea that I'm recycling the carbon that I just exhaled makes me smile.

It's funny how people sell "semi-seasoned" wood - hint: if it's not seasoned, it's green.   The wood guy, nice guy, good price, good wood, delivered a mostly oak cord at about 28% MC inside the splits.  It should at least burn this fall, perhaps not well, but I do get a lot of sun and a strong crosswind.

Here's the small pile, with some big rounds submerged in it that I don't want to think about splitting just yet.

(Yes that's the old outhouse down the hill)

Stacked carelessly around are the bits of wood and fenceposts which help form my tarp system which I'll implement come November.   The composter isn't part of the system, it was just in the way.

Fully loaded and squared, this will be about 4 cords - 4 rows of splits, 4' high and 24' long.
Note that a cord is 128 cubic feet, generally stacked in 3 rows of 16" splits, 4' high and 8' long.  The rows of splits should be stacked with space enough for a squirrel to pass through, but not enough for the cat behind it.   This is mostly maple, with some oak, white pine and white birch mixed in.

The big pile up the hill will be another 5 cords.  If can I can burn 4 cords over the winter, I burn almost no oil, save that what I need for hot water.   I usually burn hard until I have about 1/2 cord left, then depending on the season, put the brakes on, leaving that as my emergency, you-have-no-heat scenario.   I have a genny for the furnace, but it's loud and irritating.

I had some apple that I cut this spring, bucked and stacked but not split.   I tested the ends of the rounds with the moisture meter and got about 9%.   I tested by piercing the bark and got almost 50%.   Splitting one 4" round, the inside was at 30%.   The pieces were so small, I assumed I wouldn't need to split them, but given that, it looks like I'll have to.   You should be at 10-20% MC.   Too dry and the wood burns too fast and hot, too wet (above 20) and it hisses.  Above 25 and you boil sap out the ends!

Apple, glorious, fragrant, high BTU apple - cut from my reclaimed heirloom trees:

Some links which I've found useful:
http://mb-soft.com/juca/print/firewood.html

I'd add my affiliate link to the Amazon page for the moisture meter that I bought, but they wouldn't let me.  A good one shouldn't be more than $30.   Google it.

I love to talk firewood, ask me any questions.