DirtDawg
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi All! I've been lurking the forums here for a while and really enjoy all the information and years of woodcutting wisdom this site has to offer. I also know the value of learning from others mistakes so I can avoid making them myself so I figured it would be a good idea to get some input. Here's my situation.
I have a small landscaping operation and have been slowly moving more and more into the firewood business. As I already have the dump trailer, saws, and logsplitter, and love cutting wood, it seems like a logical option for a supplemental source of income. This past fall I was given the use of a fenced in lot in a small industrial park. The ground is dirt (currently mud and slush) and pretty uneven, but its fenced in which is a huge plus.
I began dropping logs off and cut and split a few cords before the snow, but now that spring is here I'm ready to get an efficient firewood setup there. I experimented with stacking and throwing wood into piles (and have read the threads on here about it). The cords that I stacked on pallets and covered with tarps, when inspected this past week, showed some black mold or mildew. I ripped the tarp off and threw all the wood into the big pile with the logic that the wood will dry and the mold or whatever will die off (not sure if that was stupid of me).
Piling seems to be the easier method as I am only one guy, don't have a skidsteer or tractor (although hopefully within the year) but I am worried about mold, and the wood not drying out properly/ fast enough. Also because I have a lot of red oak currently. I'd prefer to pile, as its quicker and easier, but want to make sure the wood is properly dried. The firewood is piled on dirt right now. Should I continue throwing piles or should I get some more pallets and get stacking? Is piling wood in the dirt uncovered like I have been okay? I want to make sure my customers are getting good quality well dried wood and don't want the wood getting moldy or being wet to burn.
What should I do? How can I make sure my wood gets properly dried out without sacrificing tremendous efficiency or spending a lot? I will post pics of the lot tomorrow to give you guys an idea what I'm working with and hopefully get some more detailed input. Thanks for the help guys!
I have a small landscaping operation and have been slowly moving more and more into the firewood business. As I already have the dump trailer, saws, and logsplitter, and love cutting wood, it seems like a logical option for a supplemental source of income. This past fall I was given the use of a fenced in lot in a small industrial park. The ground is dirt (currently mud and slush) and pretty uneven, but its fenced in which is a huge plus.
I began dropping logs off and cut and split a few cords before the snow, but now that spring is here I'm ready to get an efficient firewood setup there. I experimented with stacking and throwing wood into piles (and have read the threads on here about it). The cords that I stacked on pallets and covered with tarps, when inspected this past week, showed some black mold or mildew. I ripped the tarp off and threw all the wood into the big pile with the logic that the wood will dry and the mold or whatever will die off (not sure if that was stupid of me).
Piling seems to be the easier method as I am only one guy, don't have a skidsteer or tractor (although hopefully within the year) but I am worried about mold, and the wood not drying out properly/ fast enough. Also because I have a lot of red oak currently. I'd prefer to pile, as its quicker and easier, but want to make sure the wood is properly dried. The firewood is piled on dirt right now. Should I continue throwing piles or should I get some more pallets and get stacking? Is piling wood in the dirt uncovered like I have been okay? I want to make sure my customers are getting good quality well dried wood and don't want the wood getting moldy or being wet to burn.
What should I do? How can I make sure my wood gets properly dried out without sacrificing tremendous efficiency or spending a lot? I will post pics of the lot tomorrow to give you guys an idea what I'm working with and hopefully get some more detailed input. Thanks for the help guys!