Question for those in snow country who have stacks of splits for future years (not the upcoming burning season) exposed outdoors and buried under snow. How has the wood held up after two-three years? If I CSS and store for future use where the stacks will be exposed in the snow, and the stacks get buried under four feet (or more) of snow, has it really had any impact on the wood? I primarily acquire Elm, Maple, Beech, Paper Birch, and Oak. Looking for responses from those who have actual experience in this.
Points to consider from my perspective:
1. For the last decade, I have always tried to get all splits into the wood shed by first snowfall however after this past winter (going on 209 days with snow on the ground) and burning 8+ cords (three more than usual), I a) don't have enough room in my 8-cord shed for all the splits and b) I finally want to get a couple years in advance CSS.
2. Not a big fan of tarps or most other covers. Too much of a PITA from my perspective and we get a LOT of high winds so tarps don't last.
3. Yes, I realize a wood shed is the best way to protect splits. I already have an 8-cord firewood shed and am considering building another, however I am also considering moving in the future to acquire more land so I am looking for an interim solution.
4. The splits would be 16" stacked 2-deep on PT boards up on cinder blocks so they would get a lot of air (linear stacks, not Holz Hausen style). Pic below is obviously rounds however the split stacks would be set up the same way (minus the tarps). I don't want to try and keep the area around the stacks cleared of snow (as I did this past winter as seen in the pic).
Again I'm mainly looking for input from those who have had their split stacks buried in snow and how it fared for future use. Any input would be appreciated as it may make the decision about just building another shed easier.
![For those who have stacks of splits out in the snow long term. For those who have stacks of splits out in the snow long term.](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/244/244181-a0688c391d5b0d470605c03d25de31ed.jpg)
Points to consider from my perspective:
1. For the last decade, I have always tried to get all splits into the wood shed by first snowfall however after this past winter (going on 209 days with snow on the ground) and burning 8+ cords (three more than usual), I a) don't have enough room in my 8-cord shed for all the splits and b) I finally want to get a couple years in advance CSS.
2. Not a big fan of tarps or most other covers. Too much of a PITA from my perspective and we get a LOT of high winds so tarps don't last.
3. Yes, I realize a wood shed is the best way to protect splits. I already have an 8-cord firewood shed and am considering building another, however I am also considering moving in the future to acquire more land so I am looking for an interim solution.
4. The splits would be 16" stacked 2-deep on PT boards up on cinder blocks so they would get a lot of air (linear stacks, not Holz Hausen style). Pic below is obviously rounds however the split stacks would be set up the same way (minus the tarps). I don't want to try and keep the area around the stacks cleared of snow (as I did this past winter as seen in the pic).
Again I'm mainly looking for input from those who have had their split stacks buried in snow and how it fared for future use. Any input would be appreciated as it may make the decision about just building another shed easier.
![For those who have stacks of splits out in the snow long term. For those who have stacks of splits out in the snow long term.](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/244/244181-a0688c391d5b0d470605c03d25de31ed.jpg)