My splitting setup and “wood shed”

[d.sebens]

Here’s my current splitting setup.

I just added the hoist this year. I plan on mounting it on two telephone poles for permanent. The tractor was just to use this year and to test. It works great! I know the skidding tongs aren’t meant for lifting but they work great!

Here’s the storage.

I know it’s not the most ideal as air can’t hit it from all directions but there’s walking space and a wide open chamber for moisture to rise.

It’s a mixture of hedge, hickory, hackberry, and Siberian elm(Chinese elm). I know Siberian elm is not a preferred wood but I had two drop two trees and didn’t want to waste it. The new log splitter works so well at splitting that stuff though! Referencing this link though, https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/resources/forest-products/wood-heating it’s about on par with green ash when dried.

I still have more to split and might have to utilize some outdoor covered storage for some of it. I never dreamed I could fill up a 35’ grain bin!

I got my wood stove 3 years ago and am hoping starting next year to be on to 3 year aged wood. This year is two year aged hickory and 3 year hedge/osage.

Thanks for looking!

 

[bigealta]

Smart move stacking criss cross with the low air movement!
1st year stacked uncovered outside in the sun should be fine.
My stacks are all uncovered oak mostly in shade. Even this works fairly well.

Love the date signs!

 

[Gearhead660]

Its a good sign when you need to add dates to wood piles!
Bet it gets warm in the bin on those hot summer days.

 

[d.sebens]

Its a good sign when you need to add dates to wood piles!
Bet it gets warm in the bin on those hot summer days.

It does get warm for sure. I added the garage door opening this summer for easier loading and more airflow. I have a garage door I can fit in to it but I am currently planning on no garage door at and just leaving it open.

 

[stoveliker]

Pardon my ignorance with US farming set ups.
Is there a roof vent in the top?
If so, with hot air exiting there, I'd add some air inlets all around at the bottom. That'll move the moist air nicely up and away when the sun shines.

 

[d.sebens]

Pardon my ignorance with US farming set ups.
Is there a roof vent in the top?
If so, with hot air exiting there, I'd add some air inlets all around at the bottom. That'll move the moist air nicely up and away when the sun shines.

Yeah the whole roof is vented around the perimeter. I could definitely add some vents around. That’s a good idea. The 7foot door opening should add some flow but may not exchange a lot of air towards the back.

 

[stoveliker]

You won't need a lot of flow/wind. Look in the solar kiln threads here; small openings in the plastic, natural convection only. As long as you gradually replace humid air that absorbed the moisture from the wood, that moisture will keep flowing out. For that you won't have to have a blowing wind going through the place.

 

[Slimdusty]

You might not have the best airflow, but that wood is getting slow cooked all summer long. Seems like an excellent “wood shed”

 

[ScottLewis]

Good God what a setup! What a wood pile. The wood in that first pic resembles black walnut. What kind of wood is it?

 

[d.sebens]

Good God what a setup! What a wood pile. The wood in that first pic resembles black walnut. What kind of wood is it?

That’s the Siberian elm(Chinese elm)

 

[ScottLewis]

Chinese elm. That tree doesn't grow here in Dixie. Looks like good firewood.

 

[d.sebens]

Chinese elm. That tree doesn't grow here in Dixie. Looks like good firewood.

It is actually decent once dry but there’s splits that water comes out of when you split them and you have to split most of them all the way through because of how stringy it is. It’s about impossible to split by hand.

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

When summer comes you should put a temp gauge in there. Bet it's like a kiln.