When is the Best time to cut and split firewood?

[PennState]

Here is a question that has no answer, But I am currently in a argument over the best time to cut and split firewood. Any takers on this one?

 

[RiverRocket]

For me it's anytime i can,But I would say the best time would be fall/early winter
The weather is awesome and if your cutting live trees the sap is down.

My work has me in State College 3-4 times a weak

 

[TermiteBuffet]

Yep , I'll take jab at that one ......Anytime I have time Termite

 

[Eccentric]

In the daytime. Having sufficient light to work safely is very important.:jester:

 

[old 040]

i try to get all my firewood cut and split in the late winter early spring, that way it has all summer and fall to season................

 

[moronmountain]

For me it depends on the type of wood. If it's oak, I split it as soon as it hits the ground and is cut into rounds. If it's fir or pine, I cut it into rounds, and then try to wait until the wood starts to check a bit. If it's alder, it doesn't matter either way since you can split alder with an axe.

 

[computeruser]

Any time, but having fewer bugs, no mud, and little or no snow are factors that make one time slightly better than another.

 

[half_full]

my best time is as soon as I stop burning for the year. I have limited covered space to stack the wood. I clean up the area, restack the seasoned wood if needed and start to pile more in there. Once the 8X20 5 foot high area is full I know I have enough for the next year. I wouldn't pass up a chance to cut wood any time. But, once my yearly quota is fulfilled I don't have to make it a priority.

 

[moody]

For me it depends on the type of wood. If it's oak, I split it as soon as it hits the ground and is cut into rounds. If it's fir or pine, I cut it into rounds, and then try to wait until the wood starts to check a bit. If it's alder, it doesn't matter either way since you can split alder with an axe.

You can split oak by hand I've done that for most of my life. I prefer early spring if I have the choice. Plus it's around the time knocking down standing dead tree's should be easily spotted. Normally just split it when we get time before August.

 

[Philip Wheelock]

Best time: Fall and early Winter - split wood has plenty of time to season before heating season following year. Easy to see everything because of no leaves, and all cutting is easier and safer.
Next best time: Late Winter and early Spring - no leaves, poison ivy, ticks, mosquitoes.
Not so good time: Winter - poor footing in ice/snow, gloves end up getting soaked, lose tools in the snow, sprocket cover fills with snow, oil and chips which congeal into an awful mess that takes forever to clean.
"Bad idea" time: Summer - White faced wasps and hornets, mosquitoes, ticks, poison ivy, bull briar, heat and humidity, thunderstorms outta nowhere, leaves that hide the widow makers in the canopy above that are waiting to crush your spine, and, of course, everyone telling you you're a fool for cutting wood too late to season before winter...

'Course none of that ever stopped me when there was wood to cut. :smile:

 

[CTYank]

Right after the latest "storm of the century" has passed, and the roads are open.

You can get picky then, with lots of choices & quantity.

Irene, Sandy and a few nameless storms have left me with so much that I can hardly guess how long it's good for- at least 5 years. But who's counting? Most of it's c/s/s in racks, drying slowly as only northern red oak can do. No rush.

When it's ready, it's gorgeous.

For now, I keep myself and saws in shape clearing damage in nearby parks. Sandy made some real messes.

 

[JakeG]

Here is a question that has no answer, But I am currently in a argument over the best time to cut and split firewood. Any takers on this one?

Anytime that will not land you in the dog house.

 

[moronmountain]

You can split oak by hand I've done that for most of my life. I prefer early spring if I have the choice. Plus it's around the time knocking down standing dead tree's should be easily spotted. Normally just split it when we get time before August.

I do split it by hand. I split everything by hand. I just prefer to split oak while it is still green. When I said that you can split alder with an axe, I meant instead of a maul.

 

[zogger]

Deciduous trees, any time after the fall, the sap is the most gone from the wood.

When I cut/fell in the summer, I always wait for the leaves to shrivel up before I cut it to size. I cant prove it, but I think they are sucking some moisture out of the wood.

Splitting, as soon as possible. Cut split and stacked is the outcome, so the sooner that happens the theoretical better.

I am somewhat cavalier about splitting though, sport to me, I get to it when I want to, I am several years ahead, so..meh. If I was cutting this spring for burning next fall, split that stuff as soon as I could.

With bug feast hickory, I want the bark off that wood yesterday, if I cut it today. I have gotten into just fast thin slabbing to get the bark off, even if I cant get to the big wood until later..

 

[Stem450Husky]

I try to cut and split in late summer/early fall. Cooler weather, Dry, and still has some time to season a bit.

 

[pafire]

I try to get all my firewood cut and split in the late fall, early winter. early spring or when the poison ivy is not actively growing.

 

[mt.stalker]

Before you run out :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[zogger]

Before you run out :hmm3grin2orange:

BWAHAHAHAHA! You win!

 

[tpope]

Always before I run out... I try to stock up when a neighbor needs help from storm damage or they have timber cut. We'll use the front end loader to load the large pieces and split them as we need it when there is lots of wood to move and we have plenty ready to burn.

Do not think that poison oak/ivy is not around in the winter. The vines growing up a tree trunk will mess you up. I got my first case of it helping my Dad at about 13 yo. Before that I could walk barefoot wearing shorts in the woods and never be bothered.

 

[2strokenut]

24/7 355days of the year ill cut as much as i can