Is Stacking Your Firewood Between Trees a Good Idea?

Tw

o trees make an easy end support for stacking firewood, but if you don't follow a few simple rules you can damage and even kill the support trees. Most people stack their firewood between trees for convenience. However, this method does not allow the wood to dry any faster and can cause the wood to dry slower since it's shaded by the tree and not exposed to direct sunlight. In addition, stacking the firewood against the tree may damage trees’ bark (as the trees sway in the wind / rain) and potentially kill the tree. The firewood can cause the bark to rot and the weight of the wood can cause soil compaction around the base of the tree which can also cause the trees to die.

To properly stack firewood between trees, select two mature trees that are less likely to move during wind/rain. Place a runner on the ground between the trees. (Two big limbs may be used. The idea is to keep the firewood from contacting the ground and allow an air gap.) Cover only the top of the stack, as it is necessary for airflow to occur through the stack to prevent mold and rot. Finally, do not allow firewood to remain between trees year after year. Remember, it is always better to use a different end support than trees, but trees can be used for one year with proper planning.

Store firewood at least 20' from your home!

Storing firewood against the home can not only add easy access for 'pests' and 'critters' to access your home, but can also allow organic growth (such as mold) to grow by trapping moisture. Although it is often assumed that stacking firewood against a brick veneer home is okay, the brick veneer wall is only a layer over the wood and wood destroying organisms can easily access the wood structure behind the brick veneer through weepholes and cracks! (

You can not see behind the brick veneer!) Stay tuned for more tips on proper storage techniques and proper drying techniques for firewood!

New Email for Busy Bea Home Inspection

The new email address for Busy Bea Home Inspection, LLC is ChooseBusyBea@gmail.com . Please update your contact information, as the old mailbox homeinspector@choosebusybea.com will be discontinued at the end of September, 2019. Thanks!