To split, or not to split: that is the question.

[DAY]

With apologies to Wm Shakespeare!

If time is not a factor, and there is a place to get the wood off the ground, and under cover, is there a reason to split the log?
(Assuming it will fit in the stove:laughing

 

[MikeInEburg]

Splitting provides more surface area for drying, although most drying is via the cut ends. It also tends to be more stable in a stack.
Mike

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Steve,
Assuming that your using a conventional wood stove, not an outside furnace, than I would agree with Mike...

Split it and cover the top of the pile.

If your not going to be using the wood for a couple of years, then just get it off the ground, cover the top and split it when time warrants it... JMO !

 

[SandburRanch]

It would depend some if you want a hot fire or a slow smoldering fire. Another thing to consider is the wood species with different drying times. I personally would be doing a moisture test in the center before putting it in the stove. One test on the largest piece would give you a good indication. Other than the things mentioned just burn it. My father usually put a big round of oak in at bed time so there would be coals to start from in the A.M.

 

[MossRoad]

To me, it depends on the size of the wood and how long I have to dry it. For the past two years I have been building holz hausens. From the following pics, you can see I use a mixture of split and not split. After a year, it is dry all the way through. The only thing I found is that stacking wood on end on the ground inside keeps the bottom inside row from drying, so I started laying all wood vertically and it works just fine. :thumbsup:

The circle diameter is 10'.
The center post is 12' buried 2' in the ground.
I stack it about 9' as that's as high as I can toss it.
Its about 5.5 cords of wood in that one pile. Nice and compact.

 

[groundcover]

Hey Moss, where do you stick the forks to pick that up ??:laughing:

 

[rekees4300]

Moss that would make a great weenie roast.

 

[groundcover]

Man that would cook a serious weenie !!:laughing:

 

[Mousefield]

Some species of wood will split much easier when wet. I split before I put it under cover. I usually split wood 5-6 inches in diameter and wider. Given that much of what I cut up for fire wood can be 2-3 feet in diameter, that's why I use my backhoe to lift the rounds onto the wood splitter. Not to worried about my firewood being dry as I have a good four year supply cut, split and stacked under cover. Most of my wood is fir with some hemlock and a bit of alder.

 

[groundcover]

Put a wedge on that thumb Mouse and skip the splitter ! Some wood splits better when frozen as well. Plus you stay cooler ( no AC on my splitter) and the bugs don't bother you! :thumbsup: