What's your take on this statement
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TDunk
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Yup. To many variables. Type of wood, length, overall size, weather, where its stored, how it's stacked, if it's covered, etc........
jburlingham
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Nailsbeats
Addicted to ArboristSite
I'd go with that. "Dry", is a vague term, whats constituted dry to me may not be the same to you. Generally speaking though, I would say that 18 month old hardwood logs would make good firewood.
On a side note, I like to cut and split my wood green, seems easier on everything involved.
On a side note, I like to cut and split my wood green, seems easier on everything involved.
Well my idea of dry is if you sell it as seasoned wood it SHOULD be burnable.
Long story short ran outta wood and bought some "seasoned" and it snuffed my fire out. Guy claims it's log length that has sat around for 2.5-3 years. I'm thinking by the way the oak smells it's pretty fresh. The lesson learned is don't listen to your wife about moving and get your own firewood.
This is why all trees I remove are for my stove and don't bother selling it. I've sold some in the past but it's been split/stacked for 2 years and always covered when it rained/snowed. Oh well got another cord and it's burning just fine.
Long story short ran outta wood and bought some "seasoned" and it snuffed my fire out. Guy claims it's log length that has sat around for 2.5-3 years. I'm thinking by the way the oak smells it's pretty fresh. The lesson learned is don't listen to your wife about moving and get your own firewood.
This is why all trees I remove are for my stove and don't bother selling it. I've sold some in the past but it's been split/stacked for 2 years and always covered when it rained/snowed. Oh well got another cord and it's burning just fine.
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How was this log stored? Off the ground or just laying on the forest floor. Logs generally take 1000 hrs plus to dry out. Our tan oak will often degrade too much in two years time and be of little value. Other oaks will last considerably longer.
Yep...what does "dry" mean.
Dry enough to saw into lumber and make something out of? Not a chance.
Firewood dry? Quite possible.
The State of Ohio says seasoned wood must have a moisture content of less than 50%. That should be very realistic.
Dry enough to saw into lumber and make something out of? Not a chance.
Firewood dry? Quite possible.
The State of Ohio says seasoned wood must have a moisture content of less than 50%. That should be very realistic.
TreeTopKid
ArboristSite Guru
Log length wood takes 18 months to dry out. I don't think so but heard this from another "pro"
It depends where you are, when I was in England a piece of Oak could take two years. here in Texas I can cut some Oak and be barbecuing with it six weeks later when summer is in full effect.
TreeTopKid
ArboristSite Guru
Seasoning wood for use for any thing other than fire/BBQ wood is always going to be slow because of the need to retain the moisture.
dingeryote
Blueberry Baron
Log length dry in 18 Months?
Not around here, and not with anything worth burning.
It might be what I would call half Green in 18 months, but nowhere near dry as cut and stacked after just 8 months.
I guess "Dry" is relative.
Stay safe!
Dingeryote
Not around here, and not with anything worth burning.
It might be what I would call half Green in 18 months, but nowhere near dry as cut and stacked after just 8 months.
I guess "Dry" is relative.
Stay safe!
Dingeryote
Wrong. I worked for a sawmill that only produced air-dried lumber (no drying kilns). Lumber would be dry in less than a year to the point of no free water (ie usable for construction). Some of it was "log length".
The statement was worded that the wood had to be log length and said nothing about the wood being logs.
The statement was worded that the wood had to be log length and said nothing about the wood being logs.
Log length wood takes 18 months to dry out. I don't think so but heard this from another "pro"
As other have said, it depends on species and local conditions.
The only thing for sure is: The shorter it is cut - the faster it will dry. Most of the drying is due to moisture loss from the ends of the wood.
Harry K
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Highclimber OR
ArboristSite Operative
Pretty general. I suppose if you want it to be seasoned for sure but certainly not that long for some. I have taken out trees that would burn on the spot, and quite the opposite.
Slvrmple72
Addicted to ArboristSite
Pin it with a moisture meter before you buy it and you won't get any surprises. Except a fella willing to offer a discounted price for his under seasoned logs.
Yeah I'd like to see him squirm. He claims that people like to have fresh ends on the wood that's why it's left in log length and cut,split and then delivered. I don't care if it's dirty or has fresh ends I just want it to BURN!!!!! He's just trying to pull a fast one on people and got caught.
It is all relative but I would say it would take longer for a log to dry out and how it is stacked or laying.
We have been doing some research here lately to figure out how to make shavings for the turkey growers and leaving logs sit is not the best way to dry them. If you split them with a sawmill it would speed up the process.
We have been doing some research here lately to figure out how to make shavings for the turkey growers and leaving logs sit is not the best way to dry them. If you split them with a sawmill it would speed up the process.
thejdman04
Addicted to ArboristSite
Usuaully, wood in log form doesnt dry well at all.
Variables, variables, variables.
Log length? How long? 16" or 20' lengths? Wood "drys" as a result of the fiberous materials within release the moisture it holds. Moisture within the wood, the "sap", that was there when the tree was alive means the wood is still "green". Once the fiberous material releases the moisture due to breakdown of the cellular structure, its called seasoned or dry. Keep in mind, wet wood will burn even though it's not dry and green wood will not burn unless superheated but at that point your energy goes to burning the wood and not heat production.
Log lengths round or split? Again, the more exposed the insides are to the open air, the faster the wood will season or dry out. A 12" dameter log in a 20' length will not season as fast as a 16" long 12" diameter log split 4 ways. Major firewood processor yards keep logs in 20' lengths for a year and then split as needed claiming them as seasoned. In that amount of time, one year, it is felt the tree is dead and the inner cellular structure has broken down to realease the moisture but is unable to release the moisture quickly due to the length of the log. Once cut to 16" lengths, the year old wood drys faster once cut than does a green log cut the same day.
I used to sell firwood supplied from a major dealer and this was his explaination to me as to what I was buying after I questioned him due to questions I recieved from customers asking about seasoned versus dry.
Log length? How long? 16" or 20' lengths? Wood "drys" as a result of the fiberous materials within release the moisture it holds. Moisture within the wood, the "sap", that was there when the tree was alive means the wood is still "green". Once the fiberous material releases the moisture due to breakdown of the cellular structure, its called seasoned or dry. Keep in mind, wet wood will burn even though it's not dry and green wood will not burn unless superheated but at that point your energy goes to burning the wood and not heat production.
Log lengths round or split? Again, the more exposed the insides are to the open air, the faster the wood will season or dry out. A 12" dameter log in a 20' length will not season as fast as a 16" long 12" diameter log split 4 ways. Major firewood processor yards keep logs in 20' lengths for a year and then split as needed claiming them as seasoned. In that amount of time, one year, it is felt the tree is dead and the inner cellular structure has broken down to realease the moisture but is unable to release the moisture quickly due to the length of the log. Once cut to 16" lengths, the year old wood drys faster once cut than does a green log cut the same day.
I used to sell firwood supplied from a major dealer and this was his explaination to me as to what I was buying after I questioned him due to questions I recieved from customers asking about seasoned versus dry.
Variables
Like everyone has said, too many variables, though it can dry fast if all is right for it. I drive log truck in the great north woods here in the winter, and if you leave the wood on the ground for too long(summer mostly), the contractor will lose out since it's all paid by weight. The faster it gets to the yard/scales, the more money the contractor will get. Wait too long, that wood will be a lot lighter than before!
Like everyone has said, too many variables, though it can dry fast if all is right for it. I drive log truck in the great north woods here in the winter, and if you leave the wood on the ground for too long(summer mostly), the contractor will lose out since it's all paid by weight. The faster it gets to the yard/scales, the more money the contractor will get. Wait too long, that wood will be a lot lighter than before!
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