In July 2023 I started an experiment where I used the x-27 to create big squarish splits of a red maple tree from my yard. They are 18" long and 8-10" on a side.
I want to burn them big so I have to assess whether they are dry enough based on weight, and my normal three years might not be sufficient, I thought.
I put them in my "emergency shed" on the driveway (contains quick drying wood for winters when my bay in the big shed is outlasted by winter). The driveway gets hot, and the wood sees afternoon sun (facing West) - though it's in the shade in winter.
I measured the moisture content upon splitting and weighed them.
Log number, measured moisture content, weight, and calculated weight for a mc of 20 PCT.
Log 1, 38 pct mc, 41 lbs (20 pct =30.5 lbs)
Log 2, 38 pct, 41 lbs, (20 pct =30.5 lbs)
Log 3, 38 pct, 30 lbs, (20 pct = 22.3 lbs)
Log 4, 38 pct, 37.5 lbs, (20 pct =28 lbs)
Today I reweighed them.
Log 1, 30.4 lbs
Log 2, 31.8 lbs
Log 3, 23 lbs
Log 4, 28.4 lbs
That means (if my calculations last year were done right; I didn't recheck them now) they are already 21 PCT or so... !
One year, for 9*9" splits!
That surprised me for splits this big.
They did develop many cracks though, so that may effectively decrease the size one should consider for the drying time...?
I won't burn them this winter as I have almost only oak available for this winter. Next winter it's less BTUs in the shed as I have some sassafras, and other lighter wood in that bay. I'll add these to the menu then.
The pic is from last year.
![[Hearth.com] Big maple](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/img_20230702_182737769-webp.327955/ "[Hearth.com] Big maple")
I want to burn them big so I have to assess whether they are dry enough based on weight, and my normal three years might not be sufficient, I thought.
I put them in my "emergency shed" on the driveway (contains quick drying wood for winters when my bay in the big shed is outlasted by winter). The driveway gets hot, and the wood sees afternoon sun (facing West) - though it's in the shade in winter.
I measured the moisture content upon splitting and weighed them.
Log number, measured moisture content, weight, and calculated weight for a mc of 20 PCT.
Log 1, 38 pct mc, 41 lbs (20 pct =30.5 lbs)
Log 2, 38 pct, 41 lbs, (20 pct =30.5 lbs)
Log 3, 38 pct, 30 lbs, (20 pct = 22.3 lbs)
Log 4, 38 pct, 37.5 lbs, (20 pct =28 lbs)
Today I reweighed them.
Log 1, 30.4 lbs
Log 2, 31.8 lbs
Log 3, 23 lbs
Log 4, 28.4 lbs
That means (if my calculations last year were done right; I didn't recheck them now) they are already 21 PCT or so... !
One year, for 9*9" splits!
That surprised me for splits this big.
They did develop many cracks though, so that may effectively decrease the size one should consider for the drying time...?
I won't burn them this winter as I have almost only oak available for this winter. Next winter it's less BTUs in the shed as I have some sassafras, and other lighter wood in that bay. I'll add these to the menu then.
The pic is from last year.
