Standard Fire Wood Length

[mbjacobs]

Is there a common standard length for firewood? I have a lot of dead oak trees on my property that I'm thinking of cutting into firewood. I don't have a use for it myself so this would be for sale. I don't expect to get rich but it sure seems a shame to just burn it.

Maury Jacobs

 

[Mike_Dumond]

Depends on the firebox, but 16 inches is the universal standard.

Keep the greasy side down.
Mike

 

[Thomas]

Around these parts 14 to 16 inches and if split charge a tad higher.
Cord of wood cut,split and deliver runs abour $110.oo now

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

Maury,

Most cord wood sold around here is advertised as 16". What you get when you buy is a mix of 12" and 16", stacked in 16" ricks in the back of a truck. Outside measure shows the correct cord amount. Real measure is ~12/16 of what ever you thought you were buying. Allows you to sell 7 1/2 cords for a 10 cord price. They don't much care for return customers it's a sellers market. Not all practice this, but some do and a lot of folks don't even know what a cord is./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Al

 

[HR_Mutt]

Thomas
$110.00 a cord??/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif.Around here $40. is the average.
I bought 1 cord to help a old couple out that wanted to get rid of it and not burned that "expensive stuff" yet/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.
regards
Mutt

 

[beenthere]

You may be talking a face cord, not a full cord. A face cord is 4' x 8', in one row of whatever length the wood is cut (i.e 16"). A full cord is measured 4' x 8' x 4' long wood (or the equivalent such as three rows of 16" length, or two rows of 24" length, or one row of 4' length). In the north, eight foot-long wood stacked 4' high and 4' wide, is a full cord. In the south, where 4' length wood was the norm, a full cord was then a pile 8' long and 4' wide. Hope this helps figure out what a cord is.

 

[DFB]

Up here selling firewood is serious business and you can be fined for short loads.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Chapter 501: WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LAW
Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

§2302. Definitions

1. Cord;

A. A standard cord is a unit of measure of wood products 4 feet wide, 4 feet high and 8 feet long, or its equivalent, containing 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed. Any voids that will accommodate a stick, log or bolt of average dimensions to those in that pile shall be deducted from the measured volume.

A-1. A cord when used in connection with sawdust, chips or shavings means the volume of material contained in 128 cubic feet at the time of sale.

A-2. Fuel wood, when sold loose and not ranked and well stowed, shall be sold by the cubic foot or loose cord, unless other arrangements are made between the buyer and seller. When sold by the loose cord, the wood in any cord shall average either 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches in length. When so sold, the volume of the cords shall be: A cord of 12 or 16 inches in length shall mean the amount of wood, bark and air contained in a space of 180 cubic feet; and a cord of wood 24 inches in length shall mean the amount of wood, bark and air contained in a space of 195 cubic feet.

B. A face cord is a unit of measure 4 feet high and 8 feet long, or its equivalent, containing 32 square feet. The length of sticks shall be agreed upon by both parties;


Part 6: WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Chapter 501: WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LAW
Subchapter 2-A: MEASUREMENT OF WOOD

§2366-A. Disputed wood

In case a dispute arises as to whether wood was accurately scaled or measured, the person aggrieved may file a complaint with the state sealer. Any complaint shall be initiated within 15 days of discovery of the alleged grievance. The state sealer shall investigate the complaint. As part of the investigation, the state sealer or deputy state sealer may subpoena such witnesses and documents as may be necessary to determine the matter, and may cause the disputed wood to be impounded and check measured if it may be separately identified. In the event that an aggrieved party fails to file a complaint within 15 days from discovery of the alleged grievance, the aggrieved party is barred from seeking a remedy under section 2368, subsection 2.


Your state could have similar statutes governing the sale of firewood. Might be worth looking into.

DFB

 

[mbjacobs]

Thanks for the info, I was going to cut it into 24" lengths but looks like 16" would be better. I'm thinking about selling it for about $30-40 for a pickup load, you load as much as you can on your pickup. Any thoughts?

Maury Jacobs

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That's an outstanding price for someone with a 3/4 or 1 ton unit and side racks about 10' tall... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[DFB]

16" is a good length allows for easy measuring plus unsplit a little easier to lift up into a truck. What do ya think probably 3 loads in an 8' ft bed unsplit to get a cord?

Sizes like 18" or 20" are okay when your just cutting for yourself. That's what I like to use, my stove is small. It will handle up to 20". The wifes stepdad only wants 22"-24" He has a wood furnace with a self feeder and the shorter lenghts will jam up in the chute.

Simple rule right? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif shorter lengths=more cuts=more work for you. As long as people know just what they're paying for you should be fine. Sounds like a plan. Alot of people like to use their bar length to quick measure for the cut too.

BTW full cords split and delivered around here are avg. $110 green and $150 "seasoned"./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

DFB