To cover or not to cover?

[hardtop110]

So, the standard thinking is that it's better to store logs to season so that they are covered from rain, but the air can get at them to dry them through.

 

I've been pondering for some time that it might be better to just leave them completely uncovered for the first 80% of the drying time and then put them undercover to finish off. My thinking is that the covered store will prevent some air circulation and reduce the amount of sunlight to a greater extent than rain falling on them will slow the process down.

 

Any thought? Obviously double handling increases the costs, but shorter drying and less time needing to be undercover may offset that?

[Alycidon]

Plonk what you can store straight into a barn, by all means leave some outside but bring them in as soon as you can.

 

A

[nepia]

So, the standard thinking is that it's better to store logs to season so that they are covered from rain, but the air can get at them to dry them through.

 

I've been pondering for some time that it might be better to just leave them completely uncovered for the first 80% of the drying time and then put them undercover to finish off. My thinking is that the covered store will prevent some air circulation and reduce the amount of sunlight to a greater extent than rain falling on them will slow the process down.

 

Any thought? Obviously double handling increases the costs, but shorter drying and less time needing to be undercover may offset that?

 

 

 

Almost exactly what I do: leave them uncovered for most of the time and then cover them as the selling season approaches. I covered most of what I hope will sell this winter yesterday.

 

Jon

[swinny]

Almost exactly what I do: leave them uncovered for most of the time and then cover them as the selling season approaches. I covered most of what I hope will sell this winter yesterday.

 

Jon

 

Do you not get isues with mold this way? do you stack or just throw in a pile?

[ash_smith123]

Yes same here, we leave ours out in m3 bags for about 80% of the time and bring them in when ready just to finish them off!

[windfall]

Yes same here, we leave ours out in m3 bags for about 80% of the time and bring them in when ready just to finish them off!

 

Same here, just spent the morning ensuring i have 25 cubic meters all covered.

 

I think when i get a barn most will be inside though as i think i end up with a cleaner looking log if they are covered for the whole seasoning process. Never had an issue with mould so long as there is good ventilation.. not a problem with any of my under cover areas! lol

[spudulike]

For my domestic log pile I have a few tons of rings and lengths on hard standing, one covered log store seasoned for two years and the other around one year - we burn the two year stuff first and dib in to the one year and then refill during the spring, summer and autumn:thumbup:

[tree monkey]

my logs are left in rings for at least 12months if possible then split and store to dry

softwood i split and leave to the elements then put in to dry after 18 months

[Tomatin Firewood]

I left my hardwood outside and it really helped seasoning and I just brought them in a few days back, in the knick of time!

[face cord]

I have tarps over top of my pallet wood stores with the sides open. Trouble is rain goes sideways so you need a large overhang to keep it off & the tarp stops sun.

 

Ideal would be a polytunnel (they seem cheaper than building a shed) or a cheaper idea was buying some clear tarps.