Longterm firewood storage.

[GarethM]

11 minutes ago, Squaredy said:

Not much old timber left in her these days!

Probably a bit more usable than those new ones that need new prop shafts and engines before even going into service 😉

[Stubby]

The birch needs the bark removing as it is totally water proof and won't let the moisture out and it will rot . Everything else will still burn when you are 80 even though it my have lost some of its " spunk " provided it is kept dry and some air flow . The air flow is not so important given the time scale but keep it dry . 

Edited May 24, 2024 by Stubby

[Tim H]

Thanks Stubby.

I have some extra-heavy-duty covers with eyelets and stout ropes criss-crossing them, so I'm pretty confident things will stay dry for the next decade or so. I will keep a close eye on any new birch  that comes my way in the meantime.

[Steven P]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

The birch needs the bark removing as it is totally water proof and won't let the moisture out and it will rot .

Everything else will still burn when you are 80 even though it my have lost some of its " spunk " provided it is kept dry and some air flow . The air flow is not so important given the time scale but keep it dry . 

 

 

My go to is split as soon as I can, more surface area to dry quicker.... or take the bark off - same thing? Birch doesn't do well being kept damp, which is odd for a tree that likes it wet

[Tim H]

Stephen,

From what I have gathered here, birch seems to be the outlier among the hardwoods and the one that needs to be split early...and kept away from moisture. Odd alright.

[difflock]

Yep,

I lost some sound and unsplit heavy section Birch which was well up high and dry buried in a 2 year old pile of mostly Ash that was perfectly dry and ready to burn, but the Birch  was damp and rotten. Bugger!

Edited May 25, 2024 by difflock

[scbk]

My advice would be don't go out and buy a tesco bag for life, you might not get your money's worth out of it.

[Scuttlefish]

So long as you split it straight away, dry it quickly, then store it in conditions similar to a dutch barn- ie plenty of airflow but keep the rain off- it will be ok for years . Birch does need splitting right away. I'm burning some wood- sycamore ,beech , leylandi which is 12 years old. Old lasts for absolutely ages.

[Scuttlefish]

I mean Oak .....

[Tim H]

Thanks for that reassurance, Scuttlefish. I have my eye on a large dead standing oak nearby. If I get that I am good till 85, I reckon!