Show me your woodpile

[TerryEspo]

I would love to see pics of our wood piles for the arch, I have been super splitting wood in advance of the season and am proud of my little pathetic pile but know many people are way more prepared than me. Usually I split my wood small from firewood when sap is running, not this year, I am more prepared,,,, yeehaa.
Right now my pile is approx. 6ft x 3ft and 5.6" ft high.

Seeing large piles will motivate me to keep splitting.

[wnybassman]

I built this quick rack out of some of the leftover hemlock siding I had. 7' long and 5' tall, 3 rows deep.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s163/wnybassman/2014Shack/woodrack_zpsd40f6c30.jpg

I split mine pretty fine also, and filled it up with about 2/3rds black locust and 1/3 cherry. This accounts for a little more than half the wood I have available for this year. I have another pile of the same mixture of wood, plus a pile of all the hemlock siding scraps (already in small chunks) and another pile of misc. framing scraps. With a new rig this year I really have no clue how much I'll need, hopefully this will do for this season. I have another big black locust laying on the ground yet to be bucked up, that will be next years start. I have a few other trees I want to start taking down around the house before they end up on the house.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s163/wnybassman/2014Shack/woodpile_zpsc67a1686.jpg

[G&D MapleSurgaring]

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Here's my pile from last year. Had one row left after the season so hope to have enough this spring with more wood added

[Dennis H.]

wnybassman, I love that dry stacked stone wall you did there.

[wnybassman]

wnybassman, I love that dry stacked stone wall you did there.


Thanks! Actually a buddy of mine did that...................for beer. lol

[n8hutch]

Those are some nice looking wood piles, I thought I split mine pretty fine about half the size of what I burn in my wood stove maybe the diameter of a soda can . I just don't have the patience to make it any smaller, but I also did 10 cords this year between sugar wood & stove wood so that gets kinda old. It's kinda funny you hope your stove wood will last all winter & you hope your sugar wood will be gone in 4 weeks.

[Dennis H.]

Just remember, You can never have too much split and stacked wood.

Even if you can't split it small for for the evap at least get it split in quarters to stack it so that it can start to dry. I have about 20 pallets stacked 4' high of wood for the evap and about 20 more pallets stack 4' high of wood split that I use for camp fires and will also split smaller after to the season to refill the woodpile for the evap.

[toquin]

10483Sassafrass heading to the sap house

[TerryEspo]

Hey Toquin......That's one good looking Shepard you have. Had my Shepard for 13 yrs. but she is gone now, miss her lots.

Thanks....Nice pic.

Terry

[Sugarmaker]

Here is how it starts.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/cutting%20slabs%20with%20Jubilee/CIMG2613.jpg

Sugarhouse woodshed in background holds about 8.5 cord. Currently using slab wood, mostly soft maple.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/ford%20and%20allis%20cutting%20slabs%202-4-14/DSC01090.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/Maple%20related%20pictures/snowsidesugar.jpg

This last picture from several years ago has some pallet wood stacked in front of some slab wood.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/making%20syrup%20Feb-2013/CIMG2621.jpg

Regards,
Chris

[Maplewalnut]

10483Sassafrass heading to the sap house

Dang...I didnt know sassafrass got that big. Nice looking dog

[Goggleeye]

Chris - What is on the back of the tractor on the left? Never saw anything like that before.

[Big_Eddy]

I start with "poles" - don't take much splitting. Mostly standing dead ash from the understory that were overshadowed by the surrounding trees.
Stuff them in an arm load at a time.

[TerryEspo]

Hey Eddy,,,,I bet those dry sticks burn super hot, for sure you have a good pair of gloves around when its time to open the door to reload.
Nice looking pan I see in the 3rd pic.
Thanks for sharing.

Terry

[BAP]

Chris - What is on the back of the tractor on the left? Never saw anything like that before.
That's a 3 point hitch cordwood saw. It has a large circular saw blade and works great cutting the wood to size.

[twitch]

10491104921049310494

Never burned much but Pine this year got Poplar and Hemlock see how it goes it is very dry!! and sure feels good to have it all staked up. And yes in the last pictures those are pieces of my evaporator it all ripped apart!!

[CTSap4Maple]

No shack or woodshed this year, so I tried a Holz Hausen. It has an 8' diameter base, 7'+ height, and cap with bark side up. Will not likely be dry enough, so will crank up the blower or buy some seasoned wood to get started.
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[Sugarmaker]

Chris - What is on the back of the tractor on the left? Never saw anything like that before.

Yes BP had it right this is a 3 point hitch mounted buzz rig. 30 inch stationary saw blade. Moving table allows you to make short work of slab wood which burns hot and quick.
Here is a better picture.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/ford%20and%20allis%20cutting%20slabs%202-4-14/DSC01091.jpg
Regards,
Chris

[SeanD]

I can get a little over 2 cord inside next to the evaporator. Next year's wood is still waiting to be split and stacked. I always make it a goal to get the next year's wood stacked outside and always be one year ahead, but I always seem to be putting up my sugaring wood the fall before.

1052510526

Sean

[Mark-NH]

Chris.

Outstanding looking Jubilee! Did you do the restoration? I had one but had to trade it towards a 4wd rig. Too many hills in NH.

[maple flats]

I don't have pics but my wood is also split with a super split, make fast work of splitting fine. I keep a rack filled in front of the arch, then one side of the sugarhouse is stacked full along the 24' long side, with braces at the ends of the sugarhouse and it 5-5.5' high. The rest is in a field, I use pallets or poles to hold it off the ground and my stacks are 10' long, 2 wide, then tractor space and 2 again. I have 5 of these double stacks, but will only use 2.5-3 most seasons boiling concentrate. Last year I didn't even burn the whole stack on the sugarhouse wall.

[Sugarmaker]

Great wood piles guys!


Chris.

Outstanding looking Jubilee! Did you do the restoration? I had one but had to trade it towards a 4wd rig. Too many hills in NH.

Mark,
Thanks. I did not restore it. Someone from the Pittsburgh area restored it before the guy I bought it from. Nice Ford.
I did just finish a 1950 Allis WD (below). Hoping it's going to be hauling some syrup wood this summer too.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/Jacks%20WD/Jacks%20WD%20comes%20together/DSC03487.jpg
Regards,
Chris

[randomseeker]

10532

This is all ash, 3 faces deep. Last year I used 2.5 faces, so I hope to use it all this year. The three piers keep the faces from falling forward - structural elements. I will need to further split this to the size of the wood in the piers for the evaporator. Keeping guard is Max, half shepard, half collie.

[maple flats]

10532

This is all ash, 3 faces deep. Last year I used 2.5 faces, so I hope to use it all this year. The three piers keep the faces from falling forward - structural elements. I will need to further split this to the size of the wood in the piers for the evaporator. Keeping guard is Max, half shepard, half collie.
Neatly stacked, but why is it split so large?

[randomseeker]

Neatly stacked, but why is it split so large?

I split most wood into quarters just to get them into the shed and dry. I will have to split them again prior to burning them. I have a splitter right there and I split a couple tubs of wood between each firebox stoking. Keeps me busy. Also, my friends love splitting.

[wnybassman]

I split most wood into quarters just to get them into the shed and dry. I will have to split them again prior to burning them. I have a splitter right there and I split a couple tubs of wood between each firebox stoking. Keeps me busy. Also, my friends love splitting.

Those are good friends :)

[sap retreiver]

Randomseeker, I'm right with you. Mine is stacked 4' long and halved or quartered. just to dry and then we split while boiling. If we weren't splitting wood we be drinking so its good to take a brake10539

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

10542 slab wood is oak and the rest is ash

[SeanD]

10542 slab wood is oak and the rest is ash

Beautiful. I'd pose in front of that, too.

Sean

[TerryEspo]

Some great pics of the wood piles guys, thanks for sharing.
It motivates me to see the big stacks and hope to get way ahead this year with firewood. Large pieces split once, stacked are fine, it,s the initial split that gets wood dying, much better than having it with bark on, bucked up or log lengths.

Keep the pics coming anytime.

Thanks
Terry

[Tidajo]

10544

Originally I was planning on a barrel evaporator. But ended up with a 2 X 6.
And I just walked the trees I marked last year. Looks like I can get 50 taps without an issue.
I thing I need more wood......

[sjdoyon]

10549

Original woodshed measured 24'x8. Extended the cover last summer by 16' so now have our wood under 24'x24' cover.

[Goggleeye]

Yes BP had it right this is a 3 point hitch mounted buzz rig. 30 inch stationary saw blade. Moving table allows you to make short work of slab wood which burns hot and quick.
Here is a better picture.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/ford%20and%20allis%20cutting%20slabs%202-4-14/DSC01091.jpg
Regards,
Chris

Man, I need one of those. I've got a ton of TSI to do where there are a bunch of pole sized trees. I bet that machine would make quick work of those. Thanks for the extra picture.

Mark

[watsey]

I will spilt it smaller as I fire, approx. 2 cords stacked around the sugarhouse. More stacked at another location if needed.

10577

[Maplesapper]

How is that little Ford run in the deep snow ?
Very curious to know- there is one round the corner for sale that I keep peeking at; wondering how it handles deep snow..
Thanks

[handtapper]

10608 we just keep getting more and more snow... has to be 3' of pack on top of my woodpile. I know tarps arent as good as a shed but better than no wood. It is almost all pallets I wont ever cut conventional firewood to burn as long as I keep getting free pallets

[Meridian Maples]

10613

Here's one of us working on loading the wood shed.

[Meridian Maples]

10614

Here is one of the shed just about full.

[On the ledge]

I'd show you mine but it's buried in snow!!!!

[Ryan August]

hey all, i know this is on the site some where but someone give me a quick reference. On average, I know depends on a lot, but general rule of thumb. How much syrup will one cord produce, or reverse how much wood is needed to produce X
Thanks

[Sugarmaker]

How is that little Ford run in the deep snow ?
Very curious to know- there is one round the corner for sale that I keep peeking at; wondering how it handles deep snow..
Thanks

Any of these smaller two wheel drive tractors really need loaded tires and good chains. I don't have much of a need to get into deep snow other than plow the drive. Get the tractor should be a good project for you.
Regards,
Chris

[Sugarmaker]

hey all, i know this is on the site some where but someone give me a quick reference. On average, I know depends on a lot, but general rule of thumb. How much syrup will one cord produce, or reverse how much wood is needed to produce X
Thanks

Ryan,
Rule of thumb, without a R.O., is 20-25 gallon of syrup per cord of good fire wood.
Regards,
Chris

[TerryEspo]

Hi Chris:

Please help me understand too, a face cord, 4ft x 8ft with 16" pieces or the other cord pile that equals about 3 face cords ? Which one makes 20-25 gallons ?

Thanks.

Terry

[mapleguy]

A cord is equal to 4'high x4'wide x 8'long which should equal 128cu.ft. of which 20% is air. I know the dimensions are correct not real sure of the 20% figure. Of course BTU's are determined by what type of wood you are burning. In my opinion the dimensions I gave are what you need for 20-25 gal.

[WI Sugarpop]

Also, you will burn less per gal of syrup if you have AOF with AUF.

[CampHamp]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/12/07e3ced0bc0bcc204695c0a30700ddbb.jpg

About 1/2 cord inside, this batch on the porch another cord stacked across the driveway and a bunch of rounds under the snow, somewhere, just in case.

I use hemlock, spruce and pine so don't to split it as small (esp with a blower). All the hardwood comes to the main house for heat!

I use a super-split knock-off made by DR Power cause I wanted to tow it around. Works great so far.

Thinking of setting up a zip-line carrier to move wood inside from the piles across the driveway... Anybody ever ry something like that?

[SeanD]

A lot will also depend on your pans and their size. Flat pans will give you significantly less syrup per cord vs. a flue pan.

Sean

[TerryEspo]

That's a great looking sugar shack, Camphamp,

Love the front overhang and wood building look. Someday I will hopefully have a permanent shack like that.

Thanks for sharing.

Terry

[CampHamp]

Thanks Terry! I hope I get to use it this year. Snow is deep and fluffy in southern NH and another foot coming this weekend. I'll be digging out mainline for a while before I get tapping.

[lpakiz]

A zip line of sorts was used 100 years ago. It was called a "manure carrier" and ran on a track inside the barn, and went outside maybe 50 feet. You piled the manure in the barnyard, starting whenever snow became too deep for the tractor. Or the horses.

[Ryan August]

OK thanks for the suggestion on how much wood is needed. So one cord=20-25 gallons syrup, I am current at 1+ cord of decent wood, mostly covered. SO calculate in many short boils, my in-efficiencies, some of my crap wood, warming my hands in the fire and should be good for half that. that will help me get to a goal of 25-35 qts. Perfect. thanks

[mellondome]

Hi Chris:

Please help me understand too, a face cord, 4ft x 8ft with 16" pieces or the other cord pile that equals about 3 face cords ? Which one makes 20-25 gallons ?

Thanks.

Terry

Full cord. 4x4x8 should get 20-25 gal on a good arch.. fired properly.

[sugarsand]

A zip line of sorts was used 100 years ago. It was called a "manure carrier" and ran on a track inside the barn, and went outside maybe 50 feet. You piled the manure in the barnyard, starting whenever snow became too deep for the tractor. Or the horses.

What the ??????

[Big_Eddy]

A zip line of sorts was used 100 years ago. It was called a "manure carrier" and ran on a track inside the barn, and went outside maybe 50 feet. You piled the manure in the barnyard, starting whenever snow became too deep for the tractor. Or the horses.
Big sugar house near me does exactly that. They have an old manure track running from beside the evaporator door out to the wood shed with a dolly hanging from it. Pile wood on the dolly, roll it over, toss it in. Dolly platform is about 2'x3' and probably holds an hour's wood.
I thought it was brilliant. Way better than a wheelbarrow through deep snow.

[Clarkfield Farms]

A photo or ten of that setup would be nice!

[bowtie]

my wood "pile" is all over my side lawn between sugar shack and lean to off garage covered in knee deep snow. I just keep piling it on and will continue to until the sap runs, so maybe about june !! on the bright side the rabbits and birds love the wood piles, they tunnel in and try to stay " warm". it will be mid to late april until I will be able to stack it for next year. I use mainly slab edgings for my evaporator, and save the bigger stuff for the house.

[PeddlerLakeSapper]

They were called litter carriers. Made by the same companies that made hay carriers that ran on track in the peak of timber frame barns. I have about 200 ft. of track and a couple of switches that I'm going to be installing in my new setup. Here is what they look like. I traded 5 gallons of syrup for the litter carrier system and about 40 wood stanchions. This is not mine.

10626

[johnallin]

1063010631

Our wood piles...mostly locust with some cherry and maple mixed in.
Sure doesn't look like we'll be using any of this in the near future. It's too darn cold over here!

[Shawn]

Cannot get to it well the sugar wood is under cover at sugar house and some outside also with tons of snow atop the roofs that have been shoveled and shoveled and just pulled out twenty cords of firewood for next year and years to come after that but lots of snow here and guess what snowing now with more tonight, tap trees hopefully end of month or first of March. Recall several years ago we had a lot of snow and was our best year ever time will tell

[TerryEspo]

Some great pics this post has received, thanks to all so far.

My son and I went to the back to get woodstove fire wood from this pile in this pic, sad to say, its all but gone except for a bottom row or two, hard to tell with all the snow we have. 10636

If it keeps snowing and well below seasonal freezing temps here my arch wood may be going into the woodstove ,,,yikes !!

Good luck to all.

Terry

[David in MI]

I bought a Super Splitter last year and am loving it! I split the wood and my wife & three daughters stack it. Our stacks are improving; what you see pictured on the left is the first pallet of the year and then next one is the first four. See, we're getting better!! :) I have another four pallets for a total of eight. The pallets are stacked 4' high x 4' w x 40" long. So two of them gives me just under a cord (one 4' row 16" wide short).

I try to minimize the number of times we handle the wood so we stack it right off the splitter and then I move it around with the tractor. Last stop is right in front of the sugar shack doors.

Edited to add: Most of our wood is oak, cherry and ash.

1063710638

[Sugarmaker]

David,
I have thought about that same method to avoid moving the wood so much. Do you have some pictures or details of the pallets? I would love to set something like that up.
Regards,
Chris

[David in MI]

David,
I have thought about that same method to avoid moving the wood so much. Do you have some pictures or details of the pallets? I would love to set something like that up.
Regards,
Chris

Chris,

I'm happy to help! 2014 was the first year we boiled our own sap so everything firewood is new to us. As I was researching log splitters I came across lots of pictures of wood splitting operations and loved the idea of these pallets. I basically made them up according to what I saw online although I've altered the design slightly and I believe it's improved somewhat. YMMV...

Most pallets seem to be 40"W x 48" L; I cut to 16" so I can get three rows of 16" splits. You can see from the pictures that each pallet has three vertical pieces running up to a cross-member. I started by using 2 x 4s for the uprights but switched to a 1" x 6" that I ripped down to 1" x 3" (treated lumber). I stopped by HD to buy some wood and came across a bunch of pieces of treated lumber that was cracked, split or otherwise undesirable and asked the manager for the price on the broken stuff. I wound up getting it for about 50% off, otherwise I'd likely have stayed with the 2 x 4s. They do bow outwards a bit so time will tell if this is the best choice. Originally I tried to simply center these uprights with the center of the splits. However, the outsides seemed to require a bit more support, especially near the top of the stack so I have changed the design and moved the outer uprights a bit further out, towards the end of the pallet. I think the inside end of the outer pieces gains a measure of support from the center row of splits anyway. I can't tell if it's my team of gals becoming more experienced stackers or moving the uprights further out that has neatened up our pallets (probably both) but I do like the new placement better.

There are two more pieces that may be seen in the pictures I posted. One is a horizontal piece that simply ties the three uprights together. The other runs across the very top of the stack and holds the two supports together.

Most of my pallets have the uprights attached to the pallets via a small bracket I bought from HD http://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-18-Gauge-Z-MAX-Galvanized-Steel-Angle-A21Z/100375047?N=5yc1vZaqzsZ12kx. However, I've changed the design a bit and am now simply screwing the uprights to the pallet itself. This saves time, $$ and is probably a bit stronger too.

You didn't ask about the forks I'm using but I thought I'd include a link for you, nonetheless. These forks are from Agri-Supply and are extremely inexpensive. They have a 2000 lb capacity but I routinely carry full 275 gallon tanks of sap and haven't had any issues. http://www.agrisupply.com/pallet-forks/p/72511/

Regarding the bowing: I suppose another board could be added to the uprights tying them together in another location which may provide a bit more strength to combat the bowing. The thinner wood is definitely the weak point and I've wondered if these will stand the test of time. The other issue I've wondered about is whether the center row of splits dries as much as do the outer two as there isn't really much airflow through there.

Hope that helps!

- David

[Parker]

Hmm trying to figure out how to post a pic here. We have 45 cords in the shed and another30 or so outside next to the yard crane for backup10680106801068010680

[Drew Pond Maple]

10682
3cord of pine, hemlock and beech split small

[TerryEspo]

Parker:

That is a lot of wood, wowza !! About a 10yr supply for me !!

Thanks for sharing.

Terry

[Sugarmaker]

David,
Thanks for the info on the pallets and the forks. I really need to do something like that just to be more efficient.
Regards,
Chris

[David in MI]

You're welcome. When you get closer to building some of your own, let me know and I'll take a few pictures for you. You may be able to return the favor as we purchased three bee hives this year and have lots to learn!

[maplecherry]

10701 and more snow coming tonight

[Windy Acres]

still have a few more packs of slab wood to bring home

[TerryEspo]

Some great pics for sure.. Very neat and tidy around you place RUBICON, thanks for sharing.

I have been going out back with my son a couple times a week cutting some dead standing trees close to trails just to be sure I have enough wood, if sap ever runs.

Terry

[Schiefe4]

10735

Just finished yesterday...

[Sugarmaker]

You're welcome. When you get closer to building some of your own, let me know and I'll take a few pictures for you. You may be able to return the favor as we purchased three bee hives this year and have lots to learn!

David,
Let me know. Not a expert beekeeper, but sure do enjoy the awesome honey!
Regards,
Chris

[WI Sugarpop]

10735

Just finished yesterday...

With all those power lines in the pic you wouldn't need wood. Get an electric evap.:lol:

[David in MI]

10735

Just finished yesterday...

That's quite a pile!! I like the skylight in the barn too. :lol:

[Schiefe4]

I think the wood pile is the only thing holding the building up lol

[Bruce L]

Terry, here's a picture of our woodpile once I can get enough wood used from the shed to stand in front of it. I am 6' tall, guesstimating the pile is 18-20' tall