Fireplaces & Firewood

[Hogpatrol]

Oak is good firewood, just be sure it's dry. Takes about 2.5 years in this area for oak to get to 20% moisture.

If you can find black locust, that will give you a hot and long burn. Locust is better than oak in my opinion. Dries faster and has good BTUs, but Im burning for warmth, not just atmosphere.

Here in east coast humidity land, I've had some species of stacked oak rot in two years. It's used when I see open cracks in the end. On the other hand, it takes a couple years for locust, osage and other tight grains to dry. Probably could space it out longer but our system is swept every year.
Have the stove running today.

 

[HankBuck]

Here in east coast humidity land, I've had some species of stacked oak rot in two years. It's used when I see open cracks in the end. On the other hand, it takes a couple years for locust, osage and other tight grains to dry. Probably could space it out longer but our system is swept every year.
Have the stove running today.

@Hogpatrol - being formerly from NJ we also had humidity, any firewood stacked and left out in the open (as You pointed out) would start to rot in 2-3 years ….BUT Not if you covered the wood w/a tarp and left part of the sides open. I always kept my wood neatly stacked in wood cribs that held one full Face Cord each, my wood was Split into large thick 20”-24” lengths - a heavy duty tarp on top and about 1/2 way down the sides….plenty of air flow and wood was dry and lasted well over 5-6 years (might last 10 years but I always burned it before then). I actually prefer firewood that is Not completely dried out and found even split hardwoods seasoned much longer then two years burned very quickly. Wood seasoned 12 months to 2 years seems to be a good combination of Hot Heat combined with reasonably slow burn. There is Nothing better then heating with a Wood Stove and nothing “Nicer” then watching a fire in a Big hearth Fireplace —- ours was 48” wide and 36” tall, we sometimes burned 3 foot 12” diameter logs…threw out a lot of heat but also could burn a cord of wood in a week. The small wood stove at our cabin was less “spectacular” but much more efficient !

 

[Altitude sickness]

Locust is just an ok wood for making Self bows.

IMHO . In the U.S., Osage is the King of bow woods. English Yew is second and Pacific Yew is third. I’ve made bows from Mulberry, Locust, bamboo backed cherry, yew, on and on.

A bow can be made from any wood but It just needs a different design, lesser woods need longer and wider limbs. And they are still not as efficient as Osage or Yew.

Left is pacific yew. Bamboo over cherry. Then static tip rawhide backed Osage

Sturgeon backed Cherry. Snake backed osage.

 

[HankBuck]

Locust is just an ok wood for making Self bows.

IMHO . In the U.S., Osage is the King of bow woods. English Yew is second and Pacific Yew is third. I’ve made bows from Mulberry, Locust, bamboo backed cherry, yew, on and on.

A bow can be made from any wood but It just needs a different design, lesser woods need longer and wider limbs. And they are still not as efficient as Osage or Yew.View attachment 729733

Left is pacific yew. Bamboo over cherry. Then static tip rawhide backed Osage
View attachment 729734

Sturgeon backed Cherry. Snake backed osage.
View attachment 729736
View attachment 729737

@Altitude sickness - very nice photos of traditional bow—- even Howard Hill would be pleased

 

[Jefferry404]

Here is my stash today.
Started out as 4 cords, mixture of oak, pine and hairy cedar. aspen from our forest

 

[Alistair]

Well, seems my question was well timed.

9" of snow last night, and down into the teens tonight.

Did I mention how much I hate winter?

 

[Altitude sickness]

Spilt in the shed is oak, locust, maple, cottonwood. And the same species of logs waiting for room in the shed

 

[Betterinthebush]

I will not miss burning wood to stay warm. Ever. This thread represents the closest I will ever want to get near a pile of wood for the rest of my life. Good on all of you.