We burn the softer woods in the shoulder season if we have any. Mostly oak, ash, red elm, locust, and maple on hand right now.
We are able to cut and split oak, let it sit for 1-3 months and it is pretty dry. How dry?....Dry enough I can light a fire in the stove without any tinder or kindling.
I stack the wood in a way that seems right and light a match. The fire goes and we are warm. No creosote problems. The inside of the stove and firebrick will glow and the stack temp is ~350°F. I like to keep some wet oak for night burns and then burn a hot fire in the morning. We are burning some oak right now that was split about a month ago. It was cut green and very wet. The wood was piled next to the splitter and was brought in the house two days ago. We keep roughly 1/2 cord in the house by the stove. If it is wet when it comes in, it is dry in 3-4 days.
Isaac, Your wood burning methods remind me of my own from many many years ago(30 plus) I recall as I gaze at your picture. I too use to burn green wood, in fact I use to soak dry wood in a 5 gallon bucket of water. I want to thank you for taking me back. Now, you need to hang around here and pay attention to these folks who know what's best when it comes to woodburning. I can tell you are set in your way's but do it for the lad sitting in the rocker. Your stove glass seems to be way too clean for green wood by the way. Welcome to the forum and safe burning.
Thomas