Just curious... as a newbie playing catch up, I was wondering where the average forum member was with their pile. This may be a nice way for silent members to give a data point w/out have to post like some of us love to do. (if there is already a poll some where, please direct me!)
How many years ahead are you (pls fill out the poll).
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Both my parents and I are around 4 years ahead. This is all due to irene....we did not even take much wood from sandy. Just finished splitting up the pile...now time to scrounge again!
swagler85
Minister of Fire
I'm 4-5 years out right now. Started collecting last year as that was my first year burning wood. Was frustrated with not so good wood and found this place. Started an obsession on getting ahead, from my short burning time I'm figuring I will go through 3 cord a year. Colder years may burn 4. Currently have 15 cord on hand. All cut this past year 
Auzzie Gumtree
Minister of Fire
- Oct 17, 2012
- 535
Only started collecting in May 2012 and i think i have ~13 cords which i hope will last at least 4 years, that's if i can bring myself to burn the wood when i know how much work it was to collect it 
![[Hearth.com] How many years ahead are you (pls fill out the poll).](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/89/89508-bc69ebe7c87f1f26cba902e3d5928819.jpg?hash=7WsDpP7StS "[Hearth.com] How many years ahead are you (pls fill out the poll).")
Around 5 years ahead,roughly 15 cords.Normally burn 3 in 'average' winter,supplementing the NG furnace.Last year being so mild barely burned 1.5 from mid November to early April.Colder most of December & a few days this month so far,burned about a cord already since late October.When its upper 40's or higher for 2-3 days,I let the fire go out until its cold again.
3 years of "normal" winters. If this season continues the way it is now, and becomes like last year, my current stock will last 5 years.
TE
TE
At the start of this fall I had about 12 cords. I plan to burn about four per year, therefore I checked the box for three years ahead. In fact I don't really know how much I will burn in an average year because this is only my third winter with the stove. The first winter the stove was installed in December and we burned about 2 cords. The next winter was really warm and we burned about two and a half cords. This year so far I have burned almost two cords. In short, I don't know how much I should expect to burn so I don't know how far ahead I am. I'll stick with three years ahead.
Only started collecting in May 2012 and i think i have ~13 cords which i hope will last at least 4 years, that's if i can bring myself to burn the wood when i know how much work it was to collect it
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I started scrounging in late July 2011, two weeks before my furnace was delivered, and put up 10 cords. Did not install the furnace until summer 2012 when I finally had the time AND motivation to get it done. Trust me, once it gets cold outside and your fingers and toes are numb, you will burn that wood real quick no matter how nice the stacks look or how much work you did to get it. Right now, I am working on replenishing what we have burned so far this year. So far, so good. Have almost all the racks full again and might be looking for a load or two just to dump in the driveway. I should be 2 to 3 years ahead. This mild winter has also helped a lot, but it is going to start to get cold here at the end of the month.
Oh yeah, and once you see the savings on the heating bill and get to walk around the house in your t-shirt and shorts, you will throw wood on the fire left and right. Our savings has been pretty astonishing.
About 4 yrs.... Getting another Log Length Load this March/April. Lots of people want to buy wood now.
So a 6-8 cord load for $500 will quickly cover those cords sold at $200 ($1,200-$1,600). Plus it's a good work out and I am far enough ahead. If I didn't do this, I wouldn't have much work to do this year
Not gonna make me rich, but it will ensure some family and friends have good dry wood and also give me some money to support CAD 
Getting another Log Length Load this March/April. Lots of people want to buy wood now. So a 6-8 cord load for $500 will quickly cover those cords sold at $200 ($1,200-$1,600). Plus it's a good work out and I am far enough ahead. If I didn't do this, I wouldn't have much work to do this year
Not gonna make me rich, but it will ensure some family and friends have good dry wood and also give me some money to support CAD 
New stove should be going in this year. I have 11 cord ahead.
With the old stove, that would last a bit over 2 years.
With the new stove, I hope for at least 3.
I'll be c/s/s more this year to get even further ahead.
Dry wood is the bomb.
With the old stove, that would last a bit over 2 years.
With the new stove, I hope for at least 3.
I'll be c/s/s more this year to get even further ahead.
Dry wood is the bomb.
Standingdead
Burning Hunk
I go through 8 cord a year and have CSS 24-25 cords for next year and on. Depending upon species my wood MM's around 10-15%. My usual process is 1 year in rounds, 3-4 CSS. Being ahead gives you flexibility. This year I didn't make any rounds yet, but I got time
I voted 4, realistically it's probably 4-5. I'll have a better grasp after the season is over.
We are a bit over 12 months ahead - I'd like to be further really, but as we mostly cut our own and work full time it is tricky.
Maybe I should of asked how many acres folks have to store their wood as well. Someone burning 4 cords a year and is 3 yrs ahead, but only has 1/3 of an acre to store it on is more of a nut than some others. 
Maybe I should of asked how many acres folks have to store their wood as well. Someone burning 4 cords a year and is 3 yrs ahead, but only has 1/3 of an acre to store it on is more of a nut than some others.
4 cords should fit on a third of an acre no problem. My parents have 2/3 of an acre and easily have 5 cords or more over there. I thought they were running low because the pile on the side of the shed was low. I made a comment to my dad and he said come over here. Behind the shed was a "WOW" moment. Granted, I don't like how he has it packed so tight together right against the shed several rows deep, how it is covered, and how it is in the shade, but just getting him not to burn what we cut this year was tough work. Now, trying to explain to him that the wood needs to be in the sun and wind will take a little more work, but he is starting to realize that well seasoned wood is NICE.
FYI - I have 2 acres and want to eventually have 20+ cords on hand. Will not happen until I get a shed built, but hoping to have that done this summer.
TimJ
Minister of Fire
I have a 5 acre field filling up...........rows stacked everywhere. Been cutting and splitting for 10 months and don't intend to stop. Lots of oak and hickory going to be burned in the primo state.Maybe I should of asked how many acres folks have to store their wood as well. Someone burning 4 cords a year and is 3 yrs ahead, but only has 1/3 of an acre to store it on is more of a nut than some others.
I will burn any dead BTU now as long as it is dry............won't waste a thing. Been thinking about cutting and stacking some sassafrass. It all makes heat and good heat if used at the right time.
ohlongarm
Minister of Fire
Easily 6+years factoring in severe winter weather which we haven't had last year or so far this year.I'm at 25 cords all day and will easily cut this winter what I'll burn plus some. I have wood that is fresh cut to 10 years seasoned and different years in between,I'm not burning anything now that isn't minimally 3 years seasoned. PS I would like to burn this white oak that is 10 years old,it looks and feels like petrified wood,I'll post some pics iron hard would be a task to drive a nail in it.
Foragefarmer
Member
Had to answer 1 year but really about 1.5 years. Trying to get to 3 years. That would be about 24 cords the high side of the 6-8 cords I burn a year.
I put myself at 4 yrs (Had 25 cord in my stack at home when I started this fall, I burn around 5 cord per winter). But if we keep getting these lame-ass winters here like we've had last year and so far this year, I'd be around 5 years ahead!!
You forgot to mention most of your stack is LOCUST.....you lucky bugger, you!
That oak, having that long to season, will be great stuff. While locust is the ultimate wood (in my personal journal of woodburning), I put white oak right up there in a tie with some others for second. I love the smell of white oak burning.....one of the best.
Good news for you. Sun is not required at all. Many times we stack wood where there is no sun or very little sun. It dries just as well. But we do try to stack it where it will get wind and this is why I've always said that wind is more important than sun. Give it air circulation and it will dry well.
I also do not understand why you won't have that 20+ cord until you get the shed. Even those with sheds will usually let the wood dry outside and then move it into the shed. Get the wood, then build the shed is my advice.
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