Sycamore split logs have green fuzzy mould

[LumberJack1984]

Felled some sycamore in November, split within a day or two,

then in a pile out on drive for 3 weeks,

(while sorted a space to store it and buy a log store!)

then in a 1.8meter wide/1.6metre tall/60cm deep corrugated-roofed and metal-sheet sided log store out front.

But now it’s all mouldy 

and getting worse every day

and even made some ash mouldy too

(with green fuzzy mould spots all over it too).

Why has this happened?..

Did I leave it too long on the drive..?

Is it poor ventilation because it’s actually in a corner outside and the sides are not open?

Or is it because it’s sycamore?

(I have an idea it’s because it’s sycamore but I hold be great to hear your thoughts and experience, 

as you can probably tell I’m a newbie!)

cheers

Edited February 18, 2021 by LumberJack1984

[Unframed Dave]

I've had this in my wood store. Generally at the bottom or towards the building walls. I put it down to poor airflow in those areas. This year I am stacking everything on pallets and further away from the walls.

[LumberJack1984]

I think poor airflow makes sense;

as it happened in a nook area on my property and in the corner bit out front of the house too. 
Standing in these areas now with these 30mph winds we’ve got in the East Midlands, there is not great air flow. 
AND they were too near the front of the house (about 10cm away from it) and too near fence too (fence was about 10cm away from back of other wood store). 
Really helpful as makes most sense. 
Thanks loads! 

[spandit]

I've found sycamore prone to mould even when well ventilated. It's not going to dry out instantly without a kiln

[LumberJack1984]

And yes, started in the darkest corner of the wood pile and I think not great gaps in the pile as well. 
 

Ash next time too to help with a much lower water content even when start off green! 

[LumberJack1984]

I hate sycamore - invasive, non native, grows too quickly and blocks out the light for all the other small trees and wood floor. 

[LumberJack1984]

Thanks Spandit 

[Dan Maynard]

When you say metal-sheet sided log store, are there holes in those sides? And are there four sides or is the front open?

[spandit]

It all burns eventually! I wonder whether fungi actually help draw moisture out of the insides of logs?

[openspaceman]

9 minutes ago, LumberJack1984 said:

 

Ash next time too to help with a much lower water content even when start off green! 

Not a lot in difference of green moisture content between ash and sycamore.

 

Prejudice against sycamore because it is non native is a bit over rated IMO

 

Mould is simply living off the more volatile solids in the wood until it dries below 20% and not much to worry about, airflow is the answer.