Monday 11 September 2017

Preparing for winter



This is our Oak. The darker half (on the right) is what has just been delivered.

As opposed to our usual Oak, this is Red Oak. It was planted in rows, then thinned; ours are the first thinnings that were cut about 4 years ago. I'm told it burns even better than the other non-planted wild Oak. We'll see.


And this is our Chestnut. I think you can see where yesterday's delivery starts. It was sawn and split just before delivery.

I always feel happy when our wood stocks are newly replenished. We should have enough for about two years or more. In all we have about 12 Cubic Metres of good dry wood.

All that remains now is to saw it into thirds, fill the wheelbarrow, and stuff it into the burner; but not for a while yet.

I do hope we don't have too cold a winter; I really don't like the cold. I'm a sunshine boy!



34 comments:

  1. We store our wood in the cratch on the front of the boat.

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    Replies
    1. I like the idea of having a wood fire on board; very cosy.

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  2. Looking out of the window this morning I think we might be using some wood soon. Brr.

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    1. I've just got back from our walk, and I see it's started raining again. I managed to scrump a few nice fat Chestnuts!

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  3. You needn't go to gym classes to build arm muscles :)
    Greetings Maria x

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    Replies
    1. Swimming in Summer, sawing logs in Winter. Keeps me fit.

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  4. Goodness all that beautiful wood.
    We have still been in the 100+ but this week low 90's. WooHoo !
    Do lots of little critters make nests and live in the wood ? and is just covering the top enough to keep it dry to use ?
    We only get 2 months of winter so some premade logs and some small bought cut wood is all we need.

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. The tarpaulin on top is all you need, the wind blowing through keeps it dry. We did find a Hedgehog in a wood pile once, but generally it stays animal free.

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  5. Chilly here today and north and south of us they have had hail. The fire is burning merrily and we still have plenty of wood. Summer should be here soon.

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    1. Normally we shouldn't start lighting fires until November, but it all depends; we're having an early autumn this year.

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  6. My wood pile is stacked and ready. Should get me through 'til February when I will have to get another in. The norm here is for the wood to be delivered cut and ready for burning.

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    1. It's always sold in metre lengths here unless one is willing to pay about twice the price!

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  7. Ash is supposed to be the king or queen of wood. You can even burn it when its still green. We light our Stanley solid fuel range most days for cooking and hot water.

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    1. As well as our sitting room wood-burner, we also have a wood fired cooker, that doesn't get the use it deserves. It makes the house too hot, so is only used in the depths of winter.

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  8. Still far too hot to even think about wood or fires. Hot and sticky.
    Kali himona as they have been saying here since 15 August....good winter

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    Replies
    1. We're having very odd weather here at the moment; one never knows what's coming in the next half hour.

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  9. We have had some unusually cool days lately. I hate the thought of putting on the fireplace. Too soon, too soon.

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    Replies
    1. Hopefully it'll be well into October, even November, before we think of heating.

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  10. Is it standard to have it delivered in longer lengths? Here in Ontario, an order of wood comes cut and split to about 14 to 16 inches. Of course, you stack it yourself. Ours is mostly maple, sometimes birch or oak mixed in. -Jenn

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    1. No, it's always delivered in metre lengths here; they like to see us sweat!

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  11. A big pile of wood and plenty of jars of your summer bounty in the pantry, and you'll be ready to face the winter!

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    Replies
    1. That's how it is Jennifer; I ought to be living in a log cabin!

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  12. I am beginning to feel it cold already - eleven today here.

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    Replies
    1. We've already had several mornings of 8 C. Too cool, too early.

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  13. A thing of beauty, your woodpile, Cro! Our log burner is lit, autumn has arrived and it's chilly. Tomorrow when the stove has cooled we intend to sweep the chimney ready for the winter ahead.

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    1. It always makes me feel comfortable when the wood is delivered. I simply 'bang' the wood-burner's pipe and all the soot etc falls to the bottom. I then detach it and clear it out. I do this about every two weeks.

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  14. Cro, my Dad and Mom had a huge open fireplace in the cozy den. The grandchildren would sit and eat breakfast on the hearth. How do you had a screen made to protect us from popping wood. He bought ricks of hickory wood. We love the blue color burning it was very warm too. The house had central standard heating and cooling but the fireplace was lit when the temps dropped. Enjoy your cozy fireplace. Gab

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    1. We do have a big open fireplace (about 8ft by 6 ft), but we decided to install the burner on account of the sparks etc. We can now light-up and leave the house all day without risk of the place burning down; not something we could do with the open fire.

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  15. I still need to get mine in. I think I've missed the boat a bit and ti might be damp. Hopefully it won't go mouldy

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    Replies
    1. As long as the wood is well seasoned it's only the exterior that gets wet. A light breeze and it's all dry again. At least that's my attitude.

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  16. My wood ( forgive the phrase) arrives tomorrow x

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  17. We have just ordered our first log burning stove .. am very excited but guess that I will have to now source and store wood...I only know it has to be dry.

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