White Oak WTF!

[harrybeaver]

I have white oak that I cut, split, stacked on pallets, and covered the top with a tarp two years ago. This wood is just now acceptable for burning. I like it because it is dense and makes for a good all night burn but it sure does take a long time to season.

 

[olyman]

two years???? hummmm

 

[avalancher]

I hear you, I try and leave any white oak to season for two years, it just doesnt seem to burn that good if it dries less than that.
I have some white oak that is almost three years old now, and plan on burning it this season.last year it was still just to wet.

 

[gink595]

Yup I have some white oak that I will use this year and it's been two years

 

[STLfirewood]

I sell/burn it at a year. I have no complaints. I split my wood small. That helps out a bunch. If you want it to cure faster split it smaller.

Scott

 

[RRSsawshop]

I sell/burn it at a year. I have no complaints. I split my wood small. That helps out a bunch. If you want it to cure faster split it smaller.

Scott

:agree2: Cut this year and spilt it small you can burn it next year!! PLUS its easier to handle small

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Around here two years is too much - it's growing mushrooms by then. *sigh*

 

[Pa_woodchucker]

Your average blue tarp lets moisture in but doesn't give it the benefit of the sun. Try untarping it!

 

[J.W Younger]

white oak seals itself up thats why it used for whiskey barrels.
darn good firewood though.

 

[davec]

I see the reverse problem with white oak lumber. Kiln operators try to dry it like red oak. White oak requires a much longer/slower kiln schedule, and that often doesn't sit well with kiln owners that don't want to tie up the kiln too long. Or just don't know better - "Oak is oak".

I love WO for furniture. Plus it smells dreamy when cut - kind of nutty. RO is too common out there...plus it smells like vomit when cut. I once heard someone say "White oak is for furniture, red oak is for firewood."

-Dave

 

[Steve NW WI]

I sell/burn it at a year. I have no complaints. I split my wood small. That helps out a bunch. If you want it to cure faster split it smaller.

Scott

Agreed. I keep 75% or so of my splitting under 6" on a side, and the rest get somewhat bigger, but not much over 10" on a side, for overnight burns. I've never burned 2 year seasoned oak, but split small at 1 year it is nicely dry.

I have some white oak here, but mostly red. The bigger whites look more and more like lumber to me, a couple out there 24"+ DBH and 16' or more to the first limbs, arrow straight. They would definitely rebuild a hayrack or two. (Sorry furniture guys!)

 

[carvinmark]

I love using WO for heat, have some about 2-3 years old for this winter.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Your average blue tarp lets moisture in but doesn't give it the benefit of the sun. Try untarping it!

No tarp. Just sitting. Still mushrooms. It's just too wet at my place. Too much shade, not enough sun.

 

[MotorSeven]

Your average blue tarp lets moisture in but doesn't give it the benefit of the sun. Try untarping it!

Spot-on!

RD

 

[Moss Man]

Didn't have any Oak in the pile this year, very unfortunate indeed.

 

[Beefie]

No tarp. Just sitting. Still mushrooms. It's just too wet at my place. Too much shade, not enough sun.

Try trimming the trees:hmm3grin2orange: Just kidding I hear ya on not enough sun . It sucks when you put up firewood thinking this is going to be really nice in a few years, only to come back later and find mushrooms on it

Beefie

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

I've already dropped all the trees I plan to drop on my property. The culprits are all on my neighbors property, anyway! I'm just pretty well surrounded!



Time to build a proper woodshed!

 

[olyman]

I've already dropped all the trees I plan to drop on my property. The culprits are all on my neighbors property, anyway! I'm just pretty well surrounded!



Time to build a proper woodshed!

copper nails-------:biggrinbounce2::biggrinbounce2:

 

[Snowchief]

RO is too common out there...plus it smells like vomit when cut.

HA! That cracked me up because whenever I cut red oak it makes me think of a dirty trashcan at a bad fast food joint. I think it smells like rotting ketchup.

 

[demographic]

Time to build a proper woodshed!

Huge amount off free downloadabe PDF plans HERE.

Everything from a barbeque, through leisure cabins to massive barns.
You don't even have to register with them, just read through the list and click on the one your interested in. Sometimes its worth clicking on a few others that are near enough the same to get a better idea as some of the plans are less comprehensive than others.