Buckethead
ArboristSite Operative
There has been a lot of discussion on the various methods for storing and seasoning firewood. Some just pile their wood, some stack it in rows, and others use the mythical holtz hausen. We use a combination of all three...
For the Red Oak that will sit for at least a year we stack it in rows with lots of air space in between. The Maple, Ash, and other species get put in what we call a "Half-a$$ed Hausen." We start by laying out some pallets...usually 5x3 and start piling the wood in the middle. As the pile grows we start stacking the wood on the outer perimeter like a Holtz Hausen. We then keep piling more wood in the center and stacking the wood on the outside. Typically we make the stack about 6' high and with the stacked outer edge it allows our pile to occupy a smaller footprint. Once the "Half-a$$ed Hausen" is finished we cover the top with a tarp leaving the sides open to allow maximum airflow. So far it's worked well for us allowing for good drying, takes up less space and doesn't require a lot of time stacking each piece.
Here's a pic of a "Half-a$$ed Hausen" under construction. (Can you all tell that I just figured out how to attach photos?)
For the Red Oak that will sit for at least a year we stack it in rows with lots of air space in between. The Maple, Ash, and other species get put in what we call a "Half-a$$ed Hausen." We start by laying out some pallets...usually 5x3 and start piling the wood in the middle. As the pile grows we start stacking the wood on the outer perimeter like a Holtz Hausen. We then keep piling more wood in the center and stacking the wood on the outside. Typically we make the stack about 6' high and with the stacked outer edge it allows our pile to occupy a smaller footprint. Once the "Half-a$$ed Hausen" is finished we cover the top with a tarp leaving the sides open to allow maximum airflow. So far it's worked well for us allowing for good drying, takes up less space and doesn't require a lot of time stacking each piece.
Here's a pic of a "Half-a$$ed Hausen" under construction. (Can you all tell that I just figured out how to attach photos?)