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I've just taken delivery of 4 cord red oak in 8 foot lengths. It's in a large pile and I won't get to processing it until the spring. My question is do I cover this pile with a large tarp or do I just let it winter over uncovered? Thanks.
It won't really make a difference if it's in log lengths during the winter, except that if you get a hankering to cut some up, it would be nice to not have snow on it now.
And get it off the ground if possible. If off of the ground and you don't plan on working it up till spring, forget the tarps. You will just be chasing them around the yard after the first big winter blow.
I'd be out there even if it were just a wee bit of daylight left in the evening, yellin' to the wife... "just cuttin' one more round honey, be in in a minute"!
If you need it to dry, cut it to length, and get it off the ground. Splitting is less critical. Tarping won't make a big difference if in log length, top covering might help if stove length, but not a lot. Get it processed quickly come spring if it isn't off the ground, or you will start to get rot in the bottom logs.