Firewood "table" for storage?

[oaktreeguy]

Seems most "big box" firewood racks have vertical end columns. Why couldn't I just build a strong table a foot or so off the ground, and stack the wood on the end in a criss-cross pattern?

 

[sledge&wedge]

Seems most "big box" firewood racks have vertical end columns. Why couldn't I just build a strong table a foot or so off the ground, and stack the wood on the end in a criss-cross pattern?

I think the point of the vertical columns on the end of the rack is so that you can fully utilize the space provided. Stacking wood on a platform and criss-crossing the ends will work fine, but you leave a lot of empty space in the criss-cross pattern that could be filled with wood if you had vertical columns at both ends instead.