the rain and the hot sun

Stacked wood will be better quality for years longer than the outdoor stack. Used to cut and sell firewood to the tune of 20+ cords each fall or winter. It was ALL split and stacked by arm,strong. The two sons and I did one hell of a lot of wood. Some wood we had to carry couple hundred yards thru the woods to truck. Cutting wood is very funner. Keep up good work.

Hi, I got inspired by u and I start to sell wood too, tree service delivered logs for free any amount i need, first time i stack my wood nicely about 15 cords, now I always have it in the pile uncovered, drys as good as stack one, even after rain wood is exposed to sun and wind and dry very quickly, before i sell always test in my own fire pit, burns fine. I’m selling about 10 cords in 2 weeks in 3x3 stacks. Nice videos, keep them coming!

My vote is stack the wood. That’s what I like to do. I feel it drys a lot faster. 👍

You are a fun loving crazy guy that enjoys life and work. This is an great channel to watch. Good idea with the garbage can log loader. As far as wood drying under a cover, put a fan on it. It will dry much faster and it cost almost nothing to run a few fans.

We stack everything in two rows on pallets and here in Utah with the dry air and heat it dries really fast. Having seen your video last year using these bags with firewood written on it we adopted that. Thanks for the idea. So far we’re sold over 300 bundles just this year. We also do bins for $50 and they are very popular as well. We thought we had three months worth of dried wood this spring and we sold out within three weeks. Luckily we have good sources for fresh cut wood and also seasoned trees that have been down for a couple years. Thanks for all the great advice you offer. You’ve been a great inspiration!

Everyone is hanging out at the bonfire, it's the only fun and safe thing to do and still see friends and family. Firewood is going to be in high demand this year.

Thank you. The trash can is a great idea. I've been saving feed sacks and wondering how to make them work the best. A trash can that fits inside will be the answer.

We don't sell wood, but I cut and burn a lot and here is our easy secret. We stack our wood on pallets in 8ft rounds that are 7 or 8 feet tall, topped with a layer of plastic sheeting - held down with a layer or two of wood. - It is a self supported round stack that is safe and easily pclimbed and walked upon. - We have 3 of these, one for each year of drying. - The rows have a lean toward the center of the stack. This is accomplished by insering occasional horizontal, thinner,, pieces of firewood, at the outer edge. This keep the angle pointed slightly down toward the bottom, middle of the stack. - The wood remains dry: rain, snow thunder storm (excluding flood). - The wood is easy to pull at waIst hight, the stack will collapses down in on itself for easy retrieval. - To extend the life of the pallets, they are attached to "treated ground contact" 2x4,s. - Any odd, ugly cuts of wood not fit for the outer rings, are tossed into the middle of the stack - "out of sight, out of mind - till dry". - Happy Firewooding!

I myself stack them on humps up to five meters high. I do have raised grids under it so that the stacks are off the ground

I believe it will dry better in the middle of any pile or stacked wood providing it has something over the top. not the sides to keep moisture at bay.

Great topic. I never have enough wood cut ahead to test this theory. I usually don't start cutting till September and finish in April when I throw the last log into the wood burner. By then I'm so tired of cutting wood I just want to forget about it for awhile. But this year after cutting for around 40 + years because of the Chyona virus Im getting a nice start. I believe in first impressions and instinct, what works for you may not work for me. But since I work with more high moisture wood than not, I find the stacking is better than piles. If I where selling wood I would stack with a gap. No one wants to buy moldy wood. Great content and comments here, keep up the good work wood hounds.

we use ibc totes, and don't stack inside them, which is the best of both worlds, plus, moving a face cord into the house is as easy as firing up the skid steer.

I have found after 50 years of doing australian hard wood, piles are the only economical way of doimg it and the more rain and wind they get drags the talon and sap from the wood but your piles cant be too high all the best nothing rong with rows if you have the energy and time

Here in Florida piles 0n the ground you lose a lot to rot unless you pile on concrete. Lose does dry faster. I actually go into the piles with my loader and sear them up. One caveat I hate stacking but love making fire wood been doing it for over 40 years.

Everyone is doing bags due to more $ per cord. I’m done with the days of $150-200 per cord. To much work for little pay. When people pay $1000-$1500 for a cell phone they can pay more for a bag of firewood.

Hi the stacked pile in your shed put a 10 ins pipe with hols in it in center it works .lets the air go throught all off your stacks .iv done it to my wood stack .dry as bone in middle.david uk

Hey Dan I’m going to have to go with in the shed as my preference. I’ve had wood to mold inside piles outside if I leave any outside I will at least stack it. Take care brother

Stacked in rows gets my vote

Greetings from the Emerald Isle of Ireland 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 love your videos, great idea, with the trash can,👍👍

U can scoop into the piles with the tractor bucket. I did not think it would work but it did. It was a bucket like urs. Just a regular bucket.

I think that the moisture comes out from the ends much more than the middle. So stacks would dry faster and more evenly.

You should look at local stores and camp grounds.. my first year was 2020.. I sold 3500+ bags.. looking at double that this year... and now just picked up a hardware store the wants 20 35 square foot bags to start... bags are looking great for 2021!!!

Stacked wood dries quicker than piled found that out the hard way after having piled for 3 yrs. It was still somewhat green then I stacked it and dried out in 4 months.

Morning Dan! Good question - Roger on Tractor Tech did this comparison on his channel a little while ago and used a moisture meter to test the splits in each pile. His results might provide you some insight to make a decision on it. Good luck!

I'm a fan of piling wood instead of rows & been thinking about the center of the pile taking longer to season so to counteract that I thought about putting a perforated 4" pipe in the center to allow more air circulation to occur & build the pile around it.

Not apples to apples in your case. As you mentioned, stacked wood is covered. Thrown pile is open. ASLO, the best way to get the biggest bang for your buck in tight piles like either of those is NO ground contact. The preference for my operation is plastic pallets. Also, I like my uncovered piles to be exposed to the sun. It seems to keep things moving along nicely.

I like my way of stacking on landscape timber in single rows. I have about 14 cords that way. The pine that I cut in May burns really great now.

Saran wrap. Put wood in can and pull it up to start the wrap. Wrap as you remove the can. It protects the wood from rain too.

Stacking is better buy far but not 5 rows deep . No air movement in middle . Same problem with large piles but if you roll it with your loader now and then , so the center wood gets exposed it will dry evenly . Been selling firewood for 20 years but never tried bundled wood . I do like the way you are doing it and you have me thinking. Get some more bags and get packing !

This may surprise you , But split wood exposed to lots of rain will dry wood much faster. In fact if wood is required to dry much faster, one puts a rose water sprinkler atop of the pyramid stack . In theory, The running water draws out the sap from the wood. Boat builders of a bygone era put bundles of green planking into running creeks to dry the timber. Green wood stacked under roof will take much longer to dry. A moisture meter will quickly alleviate any questions you may have about wood moisture levels. FYI .....20% moisture in split wood is ideal for burning on sale wood.

I think the wood in the shed will dry faster, for the simple reason the wood outside will get rained on, then all the moisture under the big pile will stay wet longer. Thats my take on it Dan. Thanks for the video.. I'm glad sales are up this year, thats awesome.

Stacking wood in alternating criss-cross layers is the best way to dry it out. Save the tight stacking for when you put it under cover.

Nice sale at the right time..just be prepared as he may return for more..

Gonna need another big box of bags.....👍

omg ,Intellagent !! thank you! i would buy the gauge the test for moisture content and that would be the true test !!

hi dan each to there own i guess here in OZ i just stock pile our timber on hard stand ground eg road base out in the weather no tarps or covers for 12 months seems to get enough air flow , works for us take care mate stay safe.

yup we can not keep up with them either this year so far bundle wood is what everyone wants

We stack our wood outside in rows. It normally dry after the first layer is taken off if it gets wet. We never have covered our stacks. Our land is open with very little tree cover and lots of sun and air flow. In the woods like you are it seems to hold moisture due to all the plants. I found it was hard on my equipment when i was logging. You can alway try different things. Find what works best for you and your operation.

Love the 13 gal setup nice job bud

Good day Sir, Great to see your side road business is doing well 👍😊You can cover the lower 2x4 with tine steel roof materials so it will protect it againts woodsplinters and your investment on you nice carry hall.😊 Your wood is under a roof will be drier than loose wood outside for sure 👍Use a wood humidity meter to find out Sir 🤔 You better stake wood to gain space that not doing it. Have a great TGIF Cheers 👍👍👍

I've had 16 ft high by 25 round piles of fresh cut green split firewood by feb march and by nov dry even the middle of pile granted its in direct full sun from morning till sunset uncovered. Ive also had stacked green split firewood covered on top only and didn't dry as well in my opinion it really depends on the environment its in shade vs sun covered vs uncovered ground moisture open area vs closed area and ofcourse species of wood some dry faster than others. If you're well ahead it doesn't matter as much but if you're depending on that specific wood only it is concerning

Stacks do better but I do piles. Stacking time factor would force me to quit doing it. This year I am making tunnels into the center of the piles and blowing air into them with a solar panel and 12 volt fan. It is an experiment. Last year it rained constantly but the wood still dried enough for people to buy all winter. I had a wee bit of mold in the center of the pile but normally It doesn't. I also put the wood between corral panels to keep the pile narrower and gives me the option to cover the top of the pile and still have the sides open for air to flow into the pile

If that pile of wood was under a carport style pavilion with roof and open sides, the pile would have the drier piece, provided it is on a pallet. The way to tell is to start a pile and mark one half of a split round, and take the other half of the same round, mark it and put it in the shed. In a year, dig them both out and check with the moisture meter,

I would think the stacked and covered would be the better drying wood I don’t cover my wood till right before the snow flies unless it’s the stand wood of course.

My OCD says you need to stack it. BTW Hometown Acres went to all bundle wood. More $$ per cord. I think the guy from Life in Farmland compared the Holzhausen vs Stacked wood and he came out with the stacked wood did better. But that was just one guys research. Have a great one!

I’ve always found that the inside of our firewood heaps tend to mold and rot instead of drying out when in direct ground contact.

I think you have a moisture meter don't you? I have two I use all the time. You can answer the question directly yourself. My favorite is the General MMD4E. It has a calibration test in the cap. The other one is the AccuMASTER XT. I think I got them at Home Depot. They are good for more than firewood like measuring moisture content in drywall and lumber. I'm not going to prejudice the question you asked about drying in Covered stacks vs Haystacks by answering just now. PS. I think you should break Little Bossman in on the bagging operation on something like tying the strings on the bags so you don't have to remove your gloves each time and he gets to help out.

I've been doing wood for farm and to sell for about 8 years now and before that about 7 to 8 cord exclusively for farm. For years I have been cutting, bucking, splitting and stacking about 35 to 40 full bush cord a year. Wood in a loose pile will of course dry but it will not dry as fast as stacked rows just a fact. Even when the middle row does not get as much air. Also unless you have a way of elevating that loose pile from the get go it will retain and collect moisture from the ground. Wood drying hierarchy; (Of course time and getting wood split as soon as possible). 1. Buck wood asap, collect wood and stack bucked wood in rows exposed to wind and sun. 2. Split and stack as you go in long single rows off ground exposed to wind and sun. 3. End of September and early October any wood still exposed to elements should be covered but only partially over the top.(I've covered wood to sell every year but this year I'm not because it takes too much time and the wind in the fields inevitably blows the cover off whether tied down or not.) Don't worry about covering wood in summer months or wood you are leaving to dry over a year. The summer rains do nothing to the drying process. Now I do not know about the October and November rains when days are shorter and it seems like it rains for days on end. That I think will hamper the drying process but wood should be sold by then. If I have wood stacked in single rows in my field exposed to wind and sun I do not worry. The only reason I would cover wood to sell during the last couple of weeks is because it makes customers "feel" better about wood and I do not have time or energy by that point to explain and argue wood drying philosophy with customers. Also beware of buyers who try to haggle every aspect of price or every inch of piece of firewood.... I have guys every year who bring their tape measures and moisture testers.... They will literally measure pieces of wood and if they find 6 or 7 pieces out of a cord that are 15 inches instead of 16 they will complain. Even when I can visibly demonstrate how there are many more odd pieces which are 17 or 18 inches long. Also one of the most deceptive things some buyers will do is ignore your advice to come in September or early October.... They will wait till rainy season and show up on a rainy day or after a big rain and get out their moisture meter. I've had to explain that is not fair at all. I always have dry wood stacked under cover and I will demonstrate for them how just a little water rubbed on the end of piece will throw the reading way off. I have noticed that wood at 5% one day can be 7 or 8 % the next just from humidity in the air. Beware of those with the attitude that everyone is trying to swindle them because chances are they are the ones who will do anything to swindle you. When you do your best to stack in proper cord lengths keeping wood off the ground and exposed to wind and sun and your prices are fair to even lower than competition don't let anyone take advantage of you. All the hard back breaking labour of doing wood especially splitting exclusively by hand as I do worth way more than you will ever make selling it... After all these years I have learned that wood at a fair honest price will sell so anyone who haggles over inches can kick rocks....

I vote for the wood shed being the best situation for drying wood. For the simple fact its out of the elements. As others have stated, I think the wood in the center and bottom of the big pile would be getting less air flow than the center rows in your wood shed. Also, rain water will make its way down in that pile and could further complicate things. But with that being said, with all your inventory, how long is that wood going to sit before you need it? It could be mostly seasoned by the time you need it. For the sake of space in the wood yard, I'd keep building up piles, and as pallet space open up, move it off the pile little by little.

What about stacking a holzhaufen round pile? The theory behind it if stacked correctly creates a chimney effect drawing air through the pile and drying it quicker.

Anything with a roof over it will have a lower moisture content and burn better. Loose vs stacked in the open I would think the stacked pile would still be drier with the upper rows shielding the lower logs in the stack. Just one man’s opinion. KG

Loose stacks are sure easier to make! You don't see big firewood outfits stacking their wood very often. I think it comes down to how busy you are and what you want to look at in your yard. They both dry at some point. I would rather be splitting than stacking, I can get enough wood I can let it sit longer without using it.

I just put it in big piles out side and tarp it no complaints and i burn it my self.This summer i have sold alot of wood for out door fire pit use 6 to 8 cord a week average.I think in side is best ,but i could not store the amount i sell to much moving and storage room.

Get youself some IBC 1000L pods and a rotating forklift 5100 L = 1 cord thrown = 3 cubes solid or there abouts

My vote is always stack wood , almost a no brained !!!

This is my first year having a campfire wood stand and I've been selling by the arm full, no twine/bags/wrap. My stand is right next to a county park/campground so I have good traffic. Interested in what you decide to do for bundles. While the armful method is easy/efficient for me, it's not the most professional looking and more hassle for my customers.

Have you ever thought about using what they call ibc totes? Look them up that how im doing my wood for now on going to stack wood right from splitter right in crates behind splitter. Less handling and you can sell them that way also charge 20-30 $ deposit fee on tote so you can always get them returned when done. Just an idea 💡

If the loose pile sees sun all day, it will be dryer than the shed wood. I have found that a stacked pile in the shade has more moisture. Makes sense if you are selling alot, why waste time stacking?

Piles wont dry - except on top. No getting away from stacking.

Both methods are about the same if set up the same. Wood should be off the ground, on pallets, 4x4s or at least on gravel. Covered on the top with sides open for air flow. Most moisture leaves the wood from the ends. More moisture leaves the wood in the summer because warm air holds more moisture than cold air. Air flow or wind helps.

Do your own test. take some of the same cut and stack some and pile some. Buy a moisture meter and let us know how it goes. My personal experience indicates stacked drys better that piled.

Stacked wood is better off than dumped wood. I run a sawmill I stack it and sticker it with a fan on it.

I like your new video today buddy

My opinion stacked is better! I cut some standing this spring and stacked in rows under a roof and it’s already down to a 9- 11. % moisture level

I like your new video yesterday buddy

Question of the year. I don’t know I’m Thinkin has be wood under the shed.

Stack in rows.

I bought those same bundle bags. On Amazon the shipping is $15, which I thought was too much. And I noticed the company making them is on 30 miles from my house on the Iowa Wisconsin line, so I called them and had 100 shipped to me. Got the bill and the shipping was over $20. Amazon is the cheapest shipping.

I have been selling firewood now for approximately 30 years and I have always pile my firewood until time to start selling then I rick I don't cover my Pyle up I'll let him stay open and then let them are out and I always have good seasoned firewood when I rick it to begin with it doesn't dry and there is bad and if it ever gets wet and a Ric you can't hardly get it dry so always pile your firewood it will be better

I think that the wood shed is better, simply because rain is limited, and the tin roof helps to heat the inside creating a kiln effect with air circulation and heat, the wood pile doesn’t have this effect, and the ground traps moisture so unless the pile is insulated from the ground the bottom pieces of wood will not dry as fast. Now what would be the difference of instead of a wood pile, a wood stack in a silo formation 5-6 ft tall, and about 6 ft diameter covered by an octagonal “gazebo roof”/ canvas with vents? This is something I saw on Wranglestar’s channel, and he claims 2.5-3 cords per stack, and this raises the question of time in stacking. Now if you could build a tin shack kiln naturally heated ( by the sun) and vented with a blower set up, then you have something worth while! Experiment : tin shed that has a vent fan at one end, and draft opening on the opposite end painted black and left in the sun packed solid with “green wood” use a moisture meter during initial stacking, then as you sell off the wood from this shed, measure the moisture content of each row in different locations. This can also be done with your covered wood stacks and your wood pile plus you will find your answer for your question! It all comes down to time and effort you wish to invest in your advocation!🙀🙀🙀

I leave my wood in a pile. 1/4 acre 12 foot tall and it dries fine thru the summer. Never had any complaint about it not burning.

Stacked wood on pallets will dry faster but takes more work. If you can pile enough wood ahead to allow more drying time then go for it. With my outdoor wood burner i am never able to get that far ahead. It's a pig.

Good stuff man

a lot of discussion ...how many of you use a moisture meter and split a piece from deep in the stack and or pile and check it???

Stack in rows with a small gap between rows

There will be very little difference between the two. Believe it.

This is a very controversial topic, and 100 different people give you 100 different answers. My own experience tells me that for campfire wood etc, leave it in a heap and don’t tarp it, unless we intend to burn it in the evaporator in the spring, then we tarp in late fall to keep snow and ice off it. If you stack it, stack it fairly loose, and on pallets. I do that on all the bulk wood we sell for indoor burning. Haven’t built a permanent wood shed at our new location yet. Thinking that when I do it might be somewhat like a greenhouse with Rollup sides and a vent system in the roof. Then I think if one was to put a conveyor into it off a splitter and let it just heap up loose it would really be the ticket.

I have always though that big pile of wood dry's better in a pile then stacked it was what my grandfather also always told me stack does not get a lot of air so that is my thoughts

I would think both have problems - better would be the third option of separating your rows more. But a lot depends on what your turnover is and how long you can afford to leave it drying.

Dan, that's awesome your bundling business is rockin! My opinion I think the wood stacked in rows would season better? But I'm not sure, stacked sure does look better, keep being cool buddy 👍

Dan..I made a loose pile like that 10' H 20'Dia. at the base. Through only my own experience it did not dry nearly as well as stacked wood with a tin cover on it...Good to hear that stands kickin butt buddy. Catch ya later Wisconsin. Keep on Bundlin' 😁

The Best!)

I always found that pilled up dries alittle better then stacked but I don't like the way it looks

For a time and money efficiency I've seen piles that were covered and if possible not on dirt. This seems to split the cost.

I'd say stacked but I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground about any of it. What have noticed is that split firewood stacked under my porch roof ends up burning pretty good. Just make sure you're mixing in a bunch of pine in those bundles. You and Schieb should band together to see what kinda buying power you could put together to get the bags cheaper.

I have been leaving my wood dry in piles. just seems like a waste of time and space stacking. I split my firewood smaller and in October I will tarp the pile.

My opinion stack it that what i do. I don’t sell it I burn it in my outside stove.

Rows under tin will be better off. The pile will dry fine.

Interesting question. I really haven´t found the answer to that yet. Haven´t some scientists in wind-experiments found an answer to this?

Covered dries faster and stays dry.

The big pile will not dry as good as stacked wood in the shed. There is no air flow through the big pile of wood.

Think it's a draw. Both the same. Have to check with a moisture meter when you dig it out 😂

You could have a drying shed...one that's like a smoke house that drys out wood... faster turn around....burn a tree to dry 5 trees... faster product move.

stacked wood dries evenly...

Bundles are a hit this year. I have heard that having a firewood in a pile will dry as good as stacked, I can't attest to that method because I have not tried it. Stay safe.

I think biggest problem with piling on the ground is that it's in contact with the ground

I think if it is outside in the sunlight it dries as good or better.

Молодец! 🤝🤝

How much do your bags weigh ? What are your bags made of ?