Best time to split firewood?
 

Just cut down a cherry tree that was behaving poorly. Now I'm wondering
when best time is to split the wood.
Is there an optimum drying period for this?
Frank

the best time to split the wood is when you start getting cold.

Toad

"Frank Logullo" wrote in message ...
Just cut down a cherry tree that was behaving poorly. Now I'm wondering
when best time is to split the wood.
Is there an optimum drying period for this?
Frank

I just split some ash, courtesy of the borer. I usually do most of my
splitting in January, which is the best time as the wood is frozen and
splits best. If you rent a splitter, it does not really matter. Cherry
is hard, but not apple hard, and apple still splits when it is not
frozen. One minor problem with splitting in January is that the wood
tends to shatter (apecially shorter logs) and occasionally with apple
you may have a piece flying into your legs.

"Hal" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 14:44:11 GMT, "Frank Logullo"
wrote:

Just cut down a cherry tree that was behaving poorly. Now I'm wondering
when best time is to split the wood.
Is there an optimum drying period for this?
Frank

Most woods split better while green, some get harder as the dry out.

Cherry gives off nice colors as it burns. I hope you have a viewing
glass to see the flame.

Thanks for suggestions. I've had some tough splitting jobs in past like
maple that dried for about 2 years before I could get to it. Dogwood was
tough too - even in winter. Got about 3/4 cord from cherry and most is
burnable as is but there are some big chunks and test wack at small log
looks tough in absolute green state. I do have glass doors on my fireplace
with a heat exchanger grate with fan. Give me something to look forward to
in cold months.
Frank

Wood splits best when still green... the other 'best' time is if it's green
and frozen solid-- the frozen moisture really helps the wood cleave cleanly.

Dave

"Frank Logullo" wrote in message
.. .
Just cut down a cherry tree that was behaving poorly. Now I'm wondering
when best time is to split the wood.
Is there an optimum drying period for this?
Frank