How to Dry Season Green Wood and Save Money on Home Heating

Wood cut to length but not yet split and seasoned is covered by snow near Quebec, Canada.

If you use a fireplace to heat your home or to augment another heat source, you might be able to save a significant amount of money over the course of a fall and winter by purchasing green wood and seasoning it yourself. The price you will pay for green wood typically will be much lower than that required for seasoned wood.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Green Wood
• Ax or saw
• Drying area
• Drying rack (optional)
• Plastic tarp (optional)
• Plastic or wood ground barrier

1. Cut the wood. If the green wood you have purchased has not been split, you will need to do so prior to drying it. The length of the wood should be around 18 inches. The wood should be between 5 inches and 8 inches in diameter for optimal drying.

2. Lay a barrier. Use a plastic tarp, a trash bag or a board as a barrier to keep your wood off the ground. Place the barrier on the ground where you intend to build your drying stack.

3. Stack the split green wood in the sunniest location available. Ideally, the wood should have direct sunlight throughout the day. Stack the wood in pairs, alternating the direction of each pair. This will allow for better air flow.

4. Rotate the wood every few weeks to a month to ensure even drying throughout the pile.

5. Use a tarp to keep the wood covered from extreme weather conditions (this step is optional). Covering your stack will protect it from weather moisture, but you must remember to remove the tarp when dampness is no longer a concern. Leaving the tarp in place will prevent green wood from drying.

Tips & Warnings

• Construct your drying stack away from combustibles or ignition sources.

References

• Firewood Guide: Drying Firewood, why it's important to know about seasoning firewood