Load of Oak

[chrised88]

Just got delivered in an artic load of Oak - another 2 coming soon.

 

Was wondering what the best way would be to go with it. I know it takes 2 full years to season properly.

 

Do I

a) leave it in cordwood outside for 18 months or so

b) log it into rings and leave outside for 18 months or so

c) log and split it up and store it inside for 18 months or so

 

any advice much appreciated

 

Regards

Chris

[arbclimber]

Just got delivered in an artic load of Oak - another 2 coming soon.

 

Was wondering what the best way would be to go with it. I know it takes 2 full years to season properly.

 

Do I

a) leave it in cordwood outside for 18 months or so

b) log it into rings and leave outside for 18 months or so

c) log and split it up and store it inside for 18 months or so

 

any advice much appreciated

 

Regards

Chris

 

IMO its easier to cut and split it now, it will also dry better if its split.

[chrised88]

OK - many thanks

plus allows me to get on with it when I ahve a spare few mins !

i was jst worried about the mould issues with the high mositure and the length of time it takes to season well ? you had any experience - good/bad?

cheerz

[arbclimber]

OK - many thanks

plus allows me to get on with it when I ahve a spare few mins !

i was jst worried about the mould issues with the high mositure and the length of time it takes to season well ? you had any experience - good/bad?

cheerz

 

If you want to store it, to dry it, it should be in a place dry enough with enough airflow for it not to get too mouldy anyway mate. If not it wont be drying as effectively as it could.

 

I've had logs go a bit mouldy in the past but thats when I stored them in a shed with solid sides and a plastic roof. Less like a shed, and more like a sauna when it was warm.

 

Get out there and get cutting and splitting mate. Or maybe wait a while cos i'm sure there will be loads of people posting for you later. Hopefully their advice will be the same as mine.

 

Good luck with it anyway.

[Peter]

Split into 3-4 foot billets, then stack the billets and cut to length just before delivery.

[davetaz]

As Peter said, and there's no reason why it shouldn't be ready for next winter. Stacking in billets is easy as you can get them high and the wood dries out quickly. Just tie a tarp over the top to keep most of the rain off

[Peter]

Plus billets dont tend to get stolen like oven ready logs.

[THE88MAN]

good advice above.cut it 3-4ft,split and stack as high as poss,bark side up,dries amazingly quickly with a half decent summer.i got alot of oak in this year,will be logged and barn stored by the end of september,should be worth far more than it is!!

[nepia]

Plus billets dont tend to get stolen like oven ready logs.

 

That's a flippin' good point; will give that some serious thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next year.

[Cumbrian]

good advice above.cut it 3-4ft,split and stack as high as poss,bark side up,dries amazingly quickly with a half decent summer.i got alot of oak in this year,will be logged and barn stored by the end of september,should be worth far more than it is!!

 

Now i thought that bark side up would be the best way, though a wood cutter friend noticed whilst in Europe particularly that all the firewood was stacked bark to the bottom. Perhaps the moisture can evaporate from the wood easier that way? Any thoughts?