How to Dry Pine Firewood

Pine firewood should be allowed to dry for at least a year.

Fresh wood has a high moisture content and will not burn. In fact, experts at the University of Georgia claim that one cord of firewood can contain enough water to fill five 55-gallon drums. Firewood must therefore be dried, or seasoned. The amount of time it will take to season your pine firewood will vary depending on how you stack it and how much moisture is in the air. As a general rule, wood that is chopped this year will be ready for use next year. The good news is that pine firewood gives off a bit more heat per pound than hardwoods.

Things You'll Need

• Axe
• Pallet or metal rack
• Tarp

Instructions

1. Choose a location in which to store the firewood. It should be an area with lots of sunshine and enough room to allow for airflow around the stack.

2. Chop the pine firewood to 8 inches in diameter and 16 inches in length.

3. Stack the firewood, bark side down, on top of a pallet or metal rack so that it is not sitting on the ground. Don't allow the wood to touch the side of the house.

4. Cover the stacked pine firewood with a waterproof tarp if rain is expected.

5. Determine whether the pine firewood has dried sufficiently by pulling off some of the bark. If it is tightly attached, then the wood is not dry. Experts at the University of Georgia suggest that another way to determine whether your wood is dry is to cut open a log. If the center of the wood is darker than the edges, the wood has not sufficiently dried.

Tips & Warnings

• Even after seasoning, pine firewood will contain sap, so wear gloves when handling.

References

• The Natural Handyman: How to Select Your Firewood
• University of Georgia: Firewood Buying, Burning Tips