Long term storage of ash for firewood - how best to go about it?

[Marc Lewis]

I notice certain wood rots in different manners. A prime example of this is oak, it can rot away or turn to bone oak which takes a very long time to break down. Does anybody know the reason for this?

[Mrblue5000]

6 hours ago, Marc Lewis said:

I notice certain wood rots in different manners. A prime example of this is oak, it can rot away or turn to bone oak which takes a very long time to break down. Does anybody know the reason for this?

Tanins in the oak I guess stop it breaking down. To answer OP we are chipping the tops and light branches, cutting the heavy stuff into 4m lengths and stacking it near the house. Will cut and split it during the summer. We make mini shed with 2 posts each end, 8ft apart, with 2 pallets tied to the posts. Then stack the fire wood between the pallets about 5ft high. Screw some batons along the top then screw an 8x4ft sheet of galvanised corrugated iron on top. It’s cheap to extend too.

[carbs for arbs]

Great replies - thank you very much.  I'm pleased to hear it should be good for a fair few years (if covered, etc.)  

 

@Mrblue5000 and @Dan Maynard - I don't suppose you have any photos of what you've done/what you have in mind?  Actually, it would be great to see any photos of people's rough and ready shelters.  We'll be building posher wood shelters nearer the house at a later date, and I'll no doubt be back asking about that when the time comes.  For now though if anyone wants to share their rougher efforts I'd love to see them.  

 

Cheers

[Dan Maynard]

Great replies - thank you very much.  I'm pleased to hear it should be good for a fair few years (if covered, etc.)  
 
@Mrblue5000 and @Dan Maynard - I don't suppose you have any photos of what you've done/what you have in mind?  Actually, it would be great to see any photos of people's rough and ready shelters.  We'll be building posher wood shelters nearer the house at a later date, and I'll no doubt be back asking about that when the time comes.  For now though if anyone wants to share their rougher efforts I'd love to see them.  
 
Cheers

This is the kind of stack, just the first pics I came across in Google search.

They are quite often across the end of a field, with some sheets or boards just across the top. I think they do it like this because they are easy to stack and handle, there are various machines for cutting them down to length if you look on Posch website for example.

Thinking about it someone on here has a system for wire bundling split lengths.@Billhook ?

[Mrblue5000]

Wood 'Shed' ideas... I'll apologize in advance... | Firewood storage, Outdoor firewood rack, Wood shed

WWW.PINTEREST.CA

---

Aug 20, 2012 - Hi all,I realize there are a bunch of threads about wood shed ideas on the site (have been...

 

 

Just imagine a sheet of tin on top, and a couple of heavy posts at the end, would be pretty close to mine.

[timberonabike]

I just put a few of the lengths down as bearers and stack the stuff on top. Got a few sunny glades in the woods we use that are also nice and breezy. No sheeting.

Some of the stacks have had stuff that was felled 5+ years ago. If the tree didn't have rot the sticks don't have rot. All goes through the processor lovely and gets a few months to finish in the sheds.

 

The above only applies to ash though, other species vary in their longevity and ease of splitting.