How long do logs last?

[New Forest DEAN]

Today's stupid question - how long do hardwood logs last once split before going rotten? (oak, beech, birch).

 

I've split and stacked about 15 tonnes to season for the coming winters, but I can get hold of more.

 

I'm not sure how much wood we will use in our wood burner (its 12KW and our only source of heating), but I reckon we used about 10 cube this winter.

 

Should I keep splitting and stacking? or will it go rotten if I have 3 or 4 years worth stacked?

 

Or is it best to ring it for future splitting? or leave it in cord?

 

Anyone else keep fire wood that long....

 

Cheers - DEAN

[avio]

Depends on whether they're covered and kept dry or open to the elements?

[richardwale]

I've left oak rings for 3 years just out in the open and it's the best wood I've ever burnt. Never been covered, splits like a dream and burns hot as you like

[mendiplogs]

I've left oak rings for 3 years just out in the open and it's the best wood I've ever burnt. Never been covered, splits like a dream and burns hot as you like

 

Hi mate oak will not rot in 10 years gets harder to cut just cut it into logs that the best jon

[NI Tree]

but you lost all the sap wood in that time

[mechtrev]

they don't last long at my house at present still not got boiler fixed.

logs going on fire wholesale at present as soon as room for another it gets filled up.

[doobin]

Is nobody going to mention that birch will be useless in a year, no matter how you store it?

[andyinsheffield]

Is nobody going to mention that birch will be useless in a year, no matter how you store it?

 

From my experience birch is spot on as a first few logs on after a year. No great shakes after 2 years and useless punked rubbish thereafter.

[Taupotreeman]

Burning gum this year that's three years old and it seems to get harder and better with each year. I think it depends on what you're burning. I've also got some cypress at two years old and some of it is already turning to powder.

 

 

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[Woodworks]

If you can dry your logs in a well ventilated space and keep the rain off most logs should last indefinitely or until woodworm gets them.