Seasoning Firewood

[MarkyAB]

Hi,

I’m looking for advice and opinions on unsheltered vs sheltered seasoning of processed logs.

 

I’ve filled 2 covered shelters with hardwood types (Ash,, Sycamore, Oak and Cherry) but had run out of room by the time I gathered soft woods (Poplar, Conifer and Pine)… so the latter were split and stacked in an open position pictured. 
 

I’m not sure whether to cover or not given the time of year I’ve split - would you leave it open now through to the end of summer then cover, or cover for a few months now? 
 

 

[Steven P]

If it is for next winter or afterwards, leave it open to the elements, don't make life harder than you need. Move somewhere covered the year the end of September before you want to use it - after a dry few days of course

[Muddy42]

Obviously a large open-sided shed is the best (and involves less handling) but not everyone has space for two or three years worth of logs.  Personally I find wood seasons quite quickly uncovered, I guess it receives even more wind and sun and maybe the rain helps too to freeze/wash out the sap?  Even if a seasoned log then gets wet this tends to just be on the surface and it quickly dries out.  The downside is that you need to move the logs in to your undercover store eventually - choose a dry day in the summer

Edited February 3 by Muddy42

[MarkyAB]

Amazing, thanks both… music to my ears, less work for now😁

 

My plan was to use one of the stores/bays over next winter then begin back filling from the open stack - but suddenly had a mental wobble! 
 

 

[Stere]

Id cover the top as minimum if it was mine   esp the  popular which isn't very duarable but your location might be a factor to consider.

 

Leylandi  larch pine etc can last well outside, while other conifers esp  spruce  degrades alot faster

 

 

 

3000mm rain versus 600mm for example.....

 

[Ashes_Firewood]

Cover the top, I tried leaving about 15 cube stacked and open to the elements one particularly wet summer and had loads of it go mouldy and growing fungus. No surprises it was Silver Birch that most of the mould and fungus was on but still I won't be doing it again.

 

I'd put some pallets on top then a tarpaulin over the top of that so there's still air flow across the logs at the top.

Edited February 3 by Ashes_Firewood

[Muddy42]

Tarps rip, tin is noisy, pallets are awkward.  I've tried all of these and found them all a bit Heath Robinson and unsatisfactory.  Personally unless you are going to put a proper supported roof on that stack, Id just leave the logs where they are and bring them in during 2026.

[Steven P]

If it was Silver Birch I'd be splitting that half way through the pile to be split.. and then it sits nice in the middle of the stack, off the ground but also a bit sheltered. One year I was getting as load of bark falling off, the makes an excellent roof as it dries.. none of the problems with tarps, tin, no construction to make a roof.

I'm not in the wettest part of the UK but nearly, and my wood dries fine.

 

If you have the option, stak on the sunny side of your area and were the wind can whistle through it

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

Nothing wrong with Mr. Heath Robinson if there is no other easy options.  Whatever works to keep the rain off is better than nothing as long as it does not block the airflow.  Just don't expect perfection from a Heath Robinson attempt but if it is 90% effective then that is very good as long as you don't spend too much on this type of solution.

 

I have used old tarps I had lying around on top of pallets to maintain the airflow.  I know my Dad has done similar with old bits of corrugated iron.  Just from the view point that is has to better than nothing and not expecting it to last long or to be perfect...

[MarkyAB]

Thanks all, I love the varying opinions and viewpoints being provided - I suppose there are many variables to what can be successful for people.

 

I’m on the Derbyshire border of Sheffield, so in terms of rainfall we typically don’t have anything too excessive (apart from the odd storm). Where the stacks are situation may not receive an abundance of sun, but plenty of air/wind.

 

I think I’ll take the approach of leaving it until September, then use the pallet/tarp approach for the winter - moving what I can into dry storage early 2026 once I’ve emptied a bay/bays.