Outside firewood storage

[TomIre]

I don't burn a lot of firewood. We've got gas heat and mild winters. But had several trees blow down recently and now I've got the wood cut and split. I've never had to leave wood outside before but just don't have any place else to put it.
I've got it stacked on top of cedar logs to keep the firewood off the ground (cedar is very slow to rot) running between t posts. How long will that wood be "useable" stored that way? Will throwing a tarp over the top keep it useable longer?

 

[ultrarunner]

I scored a bakery rack from a defunct market and it is perfect for split firewood at moms suburban home...

Thought all was good but she was written up by city fire inspector as firewood must be no closer than 20' from any structure... which would put the rack on her lawn!

 

[JK22]

As long as its off the ground, you’ll be fine for a LONG time. Good firewood is often seasoned (left outside to dry) for a year before you even think about burning it. Definitely don’t put it under a tarp. It will mildew/rot.

 

[Thomas]

Wouldn't tarp now let breath to dry,not sure what type of wood or wood size you have stack sooo least 6 months.

 

[shooterdon]

If it is oak, I would let is season for two years.

I used to use tarps to keep the rain and snow off. Never had a mildew problem. I did not cover the wood piles completely to ground level but normally about 1/3 to half way down. But I have never stored split wood longer than 2-3 years.

 

[kthompson]

Used firewood for several years. We did, my in laws and their parents did. We could end up with wood two years old. Have some now for firepit that must be three years old and in great shape, all in the weather. One thing not mention and hope you stacked it this way, be sure you turn it so the grain is down. Look at the end of the wood, the grain will be in a "U" shape, Turn it so it is an upside down U, that will shed water. Turn it up and the water will not run off near as well and it will not last as long. Same thing you are suppose to do with lumber on a deck. We don't have snow but if you do would want to protect from snow staying piled on it. Agree with shooterdon on how to use tarp but we seldom did just stacked watching the grain. Have seen metal roof layed on it also.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Used firewood for several years. We did, my in laws and their parents did. We could end up with wood two years old. Have some now for firepit that must be three years old and in great shape, all in the weather. One thing not mention and hope you stacked it this way, be sure you turn it so the grain is down. Look at the end of the wood, the grain will be in a "U" shape, Turn it so it is an upside down U, that will shed water. Turn it up and the water will not run off near as well and it will not last as long. Same thing you are suppose to do with lumber on a deck. We don't have snow but if you do would want to protect from snow staying piled on it. Agree with shooterdon on how to use tarp but we seldom did just stacked watching the grain. Have seen metal roof layed on it also.

I use the metal roof method on my stacks and it works fine except when we get high winds, then, even with cement blocks holding it down it will occasionally blow off

 

[Deere Dude]

One thing I would suggest is to spray the pile with an insecticide / termacide.

I always do and that keeps carpenter bees, ants and spiders away. It don't take much but nothing quite like picking up a chunk with all kinds of ants on it.

 

[Oaktree]

One thing I would suggest is to spray the pile with an insecticide / termacide.

I always do and that keeps carpenter bees, ants and spiders away. It don't take much but nothing quite like picking up a chunk with all kinds of ants on it.

None of the above are a problem here, but you have those probably a good idea. The occasional mouse nest or snake skin is about it for me.
I try to cut wood a couple years ahead so it has plenty of time to dry, and it's always outside and usually loosely tarped. Woodshed's only big enough for one years' worth, and I don't put anything in there til fall.

How long it stays good depends on the type of wood. Birch gets punky after a year of so, maple's good for 2-3 depending on how dry it stays. Oak, beech & ash stand up pretty well. Those are about all we have here.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I'm no expert, but I have a rick curing right now. I suggest you keep it off the ground, in an area where it will stay reasonably dry, and away from tall grass and weeds. Never had much of a problem with rot or bugs; but Oak is about all I burn.