WVUUpdate
Published as a Special Insert for Farm Bureau News Spring 2016
Processing high quality firewood
T he West Virginia Friends of Firewood project promotes the importance of high quality firewood to individuals who produce , use or sell it in our area . To produce high quality firewood , it must be split and then seasoned or treated after being cut from a larger log .
Green firewood comes from a live tree that is cut down and then cut into manageable pieces or burnable sizes . Freshly cut pieces are heavy and dense because of the high moisture content – sometimes as much as 50 % of the weight is water . Firewood in this stage should be seasoned or treated before use to maximize burning efficiency . In addition , wet wood increases smoke and the risk of creosote buildup in stove pipes or chimneys .
Splitting firewood
Splitting wood is a crucial step in the drying process to produce high quality firewood . It exposes more surface area allowing the air to penetrate from all sides , leading to faster drying times .
There are two primary options to split firewood – manual and motorized . Manual methods include less expensive hand tools , like mauls and splitting axes . Typical motorized options include hydraulic splitters that use a small gas engine to pump hydraulic fluid into a cylinder that pushes wood rounds
through a wedge . Hydraulic splitters are more efficient than manual splitters but can be much more expensive .
Hydraulic splitters are much more efficient than manual splitters .
Seasoning firewood Split firewood that has been air-dried for at least six months is referred to as seasoned firewood . Air-drying reduces the moisture content of the wood by 50 to 75 %. How can you tell when this point is reached and the wood is ready to burn ? Without a moisture meter ,
determining this can be difficult ; however , external signs ( such as ends of wood being split , cracked or checked and have darkened ) indicate that the proper amount of drying has occurred . Dry wood will also feel lighter that wet wood and will make a crisp noise ( rather than a dull thud ) when two pieces are struck together . To properly season firewood , ensure adequate airflow and place it somewhere that has access to the sun and wind for at least six months .
Treating firewood When split firewood has been heattreated , kiln-dried or debarked , it is known as treated firewood . Heat treatments are a process that raise the temperature of the wood , usually to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for a set amount of time ( at least one hour ), allowing the wood to become sterile and dry .
By processing firewood in spring , you can have an adequately seasoned product in time for next winter , so get an early start !
By Rachel Harris , Project Associate , Appalachian Hardwood Center ; Ben Spong , WVU Extension Specialist – Forest Operations ; Dave McGill , WVU Extension Specialist – Forest Resource Management
Insert provided by WVU Extension Service and Davis College of Ag ., Natural Resources , and Design Spring 2016
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 15