Until this morning I never noticed......

[Ramcononer]

ALL THE FREE WOOD AROUND I am getting a stove delivered today and have been going through every post on this site. I started looking at the scrounging threads and never thought to take fallen trees, and cut'em up....I have many friends with wooded yards etc, and a ton of woods around where I can collect free wood....

Now, I need a new chainsaw.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Ramcononer, do you have any wood to burn now?

 

[Ramcononer]

I am picking up a few cords from an old friend of mine. He has one of the most reputable wood businesses in the area for over 20 years. I am confident that his wood is seasoned and ready to fire. Plus he is giving me a great deal.

I am then buying another 4 cords of split green wood, which should be ready around this time next year. I am THEN hoping to scrounge 4 cords this winter, cut, split and stack, in order for those to be good the third winter. having 12 cords on hand will probably be the limit before my wife freaks out.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Sounds like a winner. However, (and I don't want to step on anybody's toes) I know this fellow is a friend but still, most folks who own wood selling business do not dry wood like we do or is necessary. It makes sense to them because splitting wood and then stacking it up to dry, then loading it onto the truck for delivery is extra time, extra handling and takes lots of space. Therefore, they either convince themselves that wood needs very little time to dry or else they think if a tree has been cut down for a year the wood is dry. Nothing could be further from the truth! Wood doesn't dry except on the very ends until it has been split. So generally, wood still needs a year after being split before burning.

Wood will indeed burn well after being split and stacked for a year but it will burn even better after 2 years. Last year we went from burning wood that had been split and stacked for 7 years to wood that had been split and stacked for only 1.5 years. Huge difference in the way it burned!

fwiw, there are those who will call us crazy (and they are probably right), but here is one big benefit we enjoy by burning wood that has had time to dry: We are on our 5th year of burning wood in our present stove. We have cleaned our chimney one time for about a cup of soot: no creosote. Yes, dry wood rocks. And once more, I do not intend to hurt anyone's feelings. Just giving a head's up.

 

[Thistle]

Welcome to the Forum. You'll find wood everywhere now without even thinking now.

 

[Ramcononer]

Sounds like a winner. However, (and I don't want to step on anybody's toes) I know this fellow is a friend but still, most folks who own wood selling business do not dry wood like we do or is necessary. It makes sense to them because splitting wood and then stacking it up to dry, then loading it onto the truck for delivery is extra time, extra handling and takes lots of space. Therefore, they either convince themselves that wood needs very little time to dry or else they think if a tree has been cut down for a year the wood is dry. Nothing could be further from the truth! Wood doesn't dry except on the very ends until it has been split. So generally, wood still needs a year after being split before burning.

Wood will indeed burn well after being split and stacked for a year but it will burn even better after 2 years. Last year we went from burning wood that had been split and stacked for 7 years to wood that had been split and stacked for only 1.5 years. Huge difference in the way it burned!

fwiw, there are those who will call us crazy (and they are probably right), but here is one big benefit we enjoy by burning wood that has had time to dry: We are on our 5th year of burning wood in our present stove. We have cleaned our chimney one time for about a cup of soot: no creosote. Yes, dry wood rocks. And once more, I do not intend to hurt anyone's feelings. Just giving a head's up.

I have read many of your posts and respect your knowledge very much. No feelings hurt at all. I appreciate you watching a newbies back. His wood is split, stacked and dried for at least 1 year, but much of it is older. Ive been friends with his son for years and we used to hang out in the wood stacks and sneak cigarettes and beers. Sometimes, we would hide stuff in the stacks and find it 2-3 years later.....I have attached some pics of his operation. Its pretty impressive. I would love 2 and 3+ year wood, but currently I have to purchase wood. Luckily I know his product and feel way safer than buying off a random on Craigslist. I hope the attachment works??

 

[shawneyboy]

ALL THE FREE WOOD AROUND I am getting a stove delivered today and have been going through every post on this site. I started looking at the scrounging threads and never thought to take fallen trees, and cut'em up....I have many friends with wooded yards etc, and a ton of woods around where I can collect free wood....

Now, I need a new chainsaw.

Ah and so the addiction begins. Soon enough you will be wondering if you are ill, then your wife and kids, and friends will tell you that you are ill, then they will just accept that you are ill, then you will buy a second saw, then a third, then a ....... etc.

Welcome to the forum and when you are willing to stand up and say .... Hi my name is Ramcononer and I am a wood addict.... We will all say, HI Ram

 

[Ramcononer]

Literally driving to work this morning looking out my car windows saying. OVER THER!! another downed tree...wait a bigger one over there....! Happy to have chevy pickup and a 5x10 trailer!!

 

[shawneyboy]

Oh and another example that your addicted, you will spend more time on hearth.com .

My wife has walked by me on my computer and just shakes her head, saying somethin' like " You and your stove stuff."

 

[ValentineHill]

Shawn, I have the exact same thing happen all the time. It's an addiction for sure, but at least it's the kind of addiction that probably ADDS years to your life, from all of the exercise and time spent outside.

This is my first year burning 24/7 and I've had the same experience as the OP. Before I started there were two types of wood -- evergreens and everything else. Now I'm always looking when I'm walking to work or out with the dog. Trying to brush up on my ID skills, looking for scrounges, etc. It's a crazy new addiction, but it's a lot of fun!

 

[Thistle]

Oh and another example that your addicted, you will spend more time on hearth.com .

My wife has walked by me on my computer and just shakes her head, saying somethin' like " You and your stove stuff."

:lol: Bet she loves the warm house & the money saved though 'eh? :smirk:

 

[Got Wood]

Literally driving to work this morning looking out my car windows saying. OVER THER!! another downed tree...wait a bigger one over there....! Happy to have chevy pickup and a 5x10 trailer!!

Hook, line and sinker .... your a goner

Welcome to the club

 

[Ramcononer]

Literally driving to work this morning looking out my car windows saying. OVER THER!! another downed tree...wait a bigger one over there....! Happy to have chevy pickup and a 5x10 trailer!!

Hook, line and sinker .... your a goner

Welcome to the club

My little homelite chainsaw does not stand a chance!

I need more power!

 

[Got Wood]

Literally driving to work this morning looking out my car windows saying. OVER THER!! another downed tree...wait a bigger one over there....! Happy to have chevy pickup and a 5x10 trailer!!

Hook, line and sinker .... your a goner

Welcome to the club

My little homelite chainsaw does not stand a chance!

I need more power!

There are plenty of Toys you will "need" .... check out the Gear forum if you have not already

 

[Ramcononer]

Literally driving to work this morning looking out my car windows saying. OVER THER!! another downed tree...wait a bigger one over there....! Happy to have chevy pickup and a 5x10 trailer!!

Hook, line and sinker .... your a goner

Welcome to the club

My little homelite chainsaw does not stand a chance!

I need more power!

There are plenty of Toys you will "need" .... check out the Gear forum if you have not already

Im afraid to look!! Ill be tempted to buy!!

 

[oldspark]

"Wood will indeed burn well after being split and stacked for a year but it will burn even better after 2 years. Last year we went from burning wood that had been split and stacked for 7 years to wood that had been split and stacked for only 1.5 years. Huge difference in the way it burned!"
What kind of wood was that and what do you gain by having wood sit around that long, I'm all for having the wood nice and dry but it does not take 7 years. Stacking in cubes like you do wil have an effect on the drying, I do not like giving new people wrong ideas on how long it takes to get wood ready to burn.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

ALL THE FREE WOOD AROUND I am getting a stove delivered today and have been going through every post on this site. I started looking at the scrounging threads and never thought to take fallen trees, and cut'em up....I have many friends with wooded yards etc, and a ton of woods around where I can collect free wood....

Now, I need a new chainsaw, ax, peavey, and pick-up.

fixed

 

[Ramcononer]

ALL THE FREE WOOD AROUND I am getting a stove delivered today and have been going through every post on this site. I started looking at the scrounging threads and never thought to take fallen trees, and cut'em up....I have many friends with wooded yards etc, and a ton of woods around where I can collect free wood....

Now, I need a new chainsaw, ax, peavey, and pick-up.

fixed

SO.....I Just bought a fiskars splitting axe...
I have a Pickup and trailer...

No IDEA what a Peavey is??

 

[onetracker]

Oh and another example that your addicted, you will spend more time on hearth.com .

My wife has walked by me on my computer and just shakes her head, saying somethin' like " You and your stove stuff."

that's why i just click to another page when she walks in. easier that way.

 

[3fordasho]

ALL THE FREE WOOD AROUND I am getting a stove delivered today and have been going through every post on this site. I started looking at the scrounging threads and never thought to take fallen trees, and cut'em up....I have many friends with wooded yards etc, and a ton of woods around where I can collect free wood....

Now, I need a new chainsaw.

Watch your step here... There are several disorders that accompany wood burning.. first is FAD (Firewood Acquisition Disorder) and shortly therafter CAD (Chainsaw Acquisition Disorder).. Before you know it you have 20 cords stacked in the back yard and you start storing more at the woodlot even though it isn't your land.
You start out with a lowly Stihl MS210 and before you know it you also have a MS361, a couple Makita 6401's (one with the 79cc piston/cylinder), a 5100S, a couple 346xp's, and a 372xpw, god only knows where it will end... than you decide your splitter is'nt fast enough and needs a log lift, then you need a better wood hauler/compact tractor/UTV the list goes on and on..

 

[bpirger]

Your friends wood stacks are impressive indeed! Wood as far as the eye can see....

You know you have it bad when your wife walks by without clothes and you keep reading hearth.com Don't let this happen to you! There are many ways to get warm.

 

[basswidow]

Yes - those wood stacks are unbelievable! Wood as far as the eye can see. Very impressive.

Welcome to the club.

 

[Ramcononer]

Yea, those stacks are no joke. Some are literally there for 2-3 years and he is still selling a ton. Thanks for the warm welcomes!

 

[ecocavalier02]

thats a legit wood salesmen. i hope hes charging top dollar for all the work put into stacking it. thats pretty cool.

 

[Ramcononer]

thats a legit wood salesmen. i hope hes charging top dollar for all the work put into stacking it. thats pretty cool.

Yea, he gets more for a face cord than everyone else around here gets for a cord. And he is selling wood all day.