Stacking firewood in a shed

Some firewood is harvested in "woodlots" managed for that purpose, but in heavily wooded areas it is more usually harvested as a byproduct of natural forests. Deadfall that has not started to rot is preferred, since it is already partly seasoned. Standing dead timber is considered better still, as it is both seasoned, and has less rot. Harvesting this form of timber reduces the speed and intensity of bushfires. Harvesting timber for firewood is normally carried out by hand with chainsaws. Thus, longer pieces - requiring less manual labour, and less chainsaw fuel - are less expensive and only limited by the size of their firebox. Prices also vary considerably with the distance from wood lots, and quality of the wood. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (725x1105, 1339 KB)Stacking firewood in a shed. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (725x1105, 1339 KB)Stacking firewood in a shed. ... A woodlot is a segment of a woodland or forest capable of small-scale production of forest products such as wood fuel , sap for maple syrup, sawlogs, as well as recreational uses like bird watching, bushwalking, and wildflower appreciation. ... This article is about a community of trees. ... Wood drying also know as seasoning lumber or timber seasoning in the UK refers to reducing the moisture content of wood prior to its use. ... Backburning in Townsville, Australia. ... For other uses, see Chainsaw (disambiguation). ...

Firewood usually relates to timber or trees unsuitable for building or construction. Firewood is a renewable resource provided the consumption rate is controlled to sustainable levels. The shortage of suitable firewood in some places has seen local populations damaging huge tracts of bush thus leading to further desertification. For other uses, see Construction (disambiguation). ... A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption by humans or other users. ... Ship stranded by the retreat of the Aral Sea Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various climatic variations, but primarily from human activities. ...

Measurement of firewood

Cord

In the metric system, firewood is normally sold by the stere (1 m³ = ~0.276 cords). The International System of Units (symbol: SI) (for the French phrase Syst me International dUnit s) is the most widely used system of units. ... The cubic metre (symbol m³) is the SI derived unit of volume. ...

In the United States, firewood is usually sold by the cord, 128 ft³ (3.62 m³), corresponding to a woodpile 8 ft wide × 4 ft high of 4 ft-long logs. The cord is legally defined by statute in most states. The cord is a unit of dry volume used in Canada and in the United States to measure firewood. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ...

1/3rd cord or face cord

It is also common to see wood sold by the "face cord", which is usually not legally defined, and varies from one area to another. For example, in one state a pile of wood 8 feet wide × 4 feet high of 16"-long logs will often be sold as a "face cord", though its volume is only one-third of a cord. In another state, or even another area of the same state, the volume of a face cord may be considerably different. Hence, it is risky to buy wood sold in this manner, as the transaction is not based on a legally enforceable unit of measure.

In Australia, it is normally sold by the tonne. This article is about the metric tonne. ...

How to buy firewood

The only measurement of firewood that is regulated is a cord. All other measurements including 1/3 cord, half cord, and truckloads are not regulated. Also, firewood can either be seasoned or unseasoned and that can affect the price. The cord is a unit of dry volume used in Canada and in the United States to measure firewood. ...

Seasoned firewood

Firewood needs to be seasoned for 8 months, so the best time to buy firewood would be in the spring. It is also the cheapest time to buy firewood. The term seasoned is not regulated, so a reseller can claim that they are selling seasoned firewood, but it may not be seasoned for a full 8 months.

Using 4 mil plastic it is possible to create a greenhouse affect and decrease the amount of time needed to season the firewood. See the link below.

How to stack firewood

There are several methods for stacking firewood.

Under a roof: If there are no concerns about the wood being subjected to rain, snow, or run-off, the methods for stacking depend on the structure and layout desired. Whether split, or in 'rounds' (flush-cut and unsplit segments of logs), the wood should be stacked lengthwise, which is the most stable and practical method.

Outdoors: Firewood should be stacked with the bark facing upwards. This allows the water to drain off, and standing frost, ice, or snow to be kept from the wood. When possible, a tarp or water-proof cover may be placed over the top of the pile. This can be a large piece of plywood or an oiled canvas cloth.

Resources

• Storing and drying firewood

See also

• Wood fuel#Firewood