RooDude09
Santa Rosa, CA
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I resently purchased about 15 rounds of oak wood from a friend that had cut up a downed tree. Ive managed to chop some up but others wont split. We just came back from a weekend trip and these pieces of wood just didn't seem to burn. Do I need to let the wood sit for a few years or does it need to dry out? The seasoned wood i buy at the hardware store lights right up when put in the fire.
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sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
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Yes it'll need to dry out first. Store in a dry cool place and give it about 7 months to a year.
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pbitschura
SE MN
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Cut it, stack it, and burn it next year. Processed wood is kiln dried. Rounds over 6" may not be burn ready until following year. Best of luck.
1988 Mallard class c 24' Chevy chassis 350 cu gas.
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RooDude09
Santa Rosa, CA
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ok thx im excite not to spend $40+ on wood each trip out next year. Will it get any easier to chop as it dries? Some pieces are oddly shaped and wont split. Research ive done has mixed reviews on weather to cut right away or let it dry out.
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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You can't burn a wet sponge...
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Yes it splits easier when dried.
Do be aware there are some BIG fines if you transport wood to some locations. Laws are trying to prevent spread of bugs. NO, they do not make exceptions.
So use it at home, great, but I would not take it camping if it was me.
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Passin Thru
N VA
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You cannot haul firewood over a lot of state lines either so be careful.
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cm11599ps
Long Island
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Yes, a lot of campgrounds will have warnings about transporting firewood.
Also, it should be easier to chop once it gets dry. You'll notice that a log that's been sitting in a garage for a year feels completely different then a fresh cut log. Keep the wood in a dry place and this time next year you'll be burning this wood.
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garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
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Split it now, before it dries. I guarantee it will be much harder to split after it dries.
If some pieces won't split now use a chainsaw to weaken or cut it completely. Split wood will dry faster.
If it is live oak and the rounds are big you have a job ahead of you.
I use live oak for heating and have a 13 ton log splitter. Just finished splitting some from a tree a storm blew over 5 years ago, big rounds.
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tracyb-oh
Cincinnati,Ohio
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It is very difficult to start a fire with oak. Once you have your fire going pretty well then add the oak to it. It will burn slow and hot and long. We like using oak in our wood burner furnace for that reason. Let it season for a year and it will be much better. Good luck.
Tracy and T
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