Give your logs some space
The drier your logs are, the easier they are to burn and the more heat you will get from them. That is why we recommend seasoned (i.e. naturally dried) firewood for your wood burners, stoves and open fires in the first place.
If you then simply dump those logs on to the ground, they will quickly start absorbing moisture and you will eventually lose the benefit of the seasoning process. Piling logs up against a wall can have a similar effect. Fungi and other disease agents will also find it much easier to infect a pile of logs if they are in direct contact with the ground, wall or fence. This will lead to rotting logs, shortening their lifespan.
The solution is to make sure your log pile is kept off the ground and that there is at least four inches of space around the pile. You should also intentionally leave small gaps between the individual logs. This will keep the air circulating and help your logs become even more seasoned over time.
Choose the ideal location
While a little bit of exposure to wind-blown rain isn’t the end of the world, you should definitely shelter your log pile from direct rainfall. A purpose-built wooden log store is ideal as it will normally contain a pitched roof and open sides. You can also buy enclosed metal log stores which contain vents to keep the air circulating.
An easy error to make is to use trees to shelter your log pile. Rather than protecting your firewood from the rain, trees will actually drip rainwater on to your stack, day and night, leaving them soaked. Hollows are also best avoided as they can be subject to mist and dew.
If you don’t have a suitable structure for storage, you may decide to use a tarpaulin. If you do, make sure you only cover the very top of the log pile and remember to take it off completely in dry conditions. Wrapping your logs in tarpaulin will cause them to sweat, pushing up the moisture content.
Where practical, angle your log pile to the south or south east. This will maximise sun exposure while avoiding the worst of any rain driven in from the south west (the prevailing wind direction in the UK).
Storing for convenience and safety
Also bear in mind that you will need to transport logs from your log store to your wood burner, stove or fire. If you have too far to walk, this might become a burden, especially in the cold winter months. It can even be dangerous if you go out in icy conditions and have to carry wood up or down steps or across a hard patio.
Where possible, keep your logs fairly close to your home but make sure you leave a gap of a few feet between your log pile and your home or you may find you attract insects. For safety, keep your log pile below head height.
Is your stockpile shrinking?
You take care of the storage, we’ll take care of the logs! Contact Kneebone Trees to order high quality, seasoned firewood at any time of the year.
