Best Way to Cover Firewood (7 Pro Tips for Lasting Protection)

I still remember the first winter I tried to heat my home entirely with firewood. Fresh out of college, brimming with a misplaced sense of self-sufficiency, I’d felled a few trees on my property, bucked them into rounds, and split them with a maul that was probably older than I was. Proud of my accomplishment, I stacked the wood neatly… and left it uncovered.

Rookie mistake. By December, much of it was soggy, riddled with fungus, and about as effective at heating my house as a damp sponge. That year, I learned a harsh lesson about the importance of properly covering firewood. It’s not just about keeping the rain off; it’s about protecting your investment, ensuring efficient burning, and ultimately, keeping your home warm through those long winter nights.

Best Way to Cover Firewood (7 Pro Tips for Lasting Protection)

1. Understand the Science: Why Covering Firewood Matters

Before diving into the “how,” it’s crucial to understand the “why.” Firewood, when freshly cut (green wood), can contain as much as 50% moisture. This moisture drastically reduces its heating value and makes it incredibly difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Seasoning, the process of drying firewood, aims to reduce this moisture content to around 20% or less.

Wood Anatomy and Moisture Dynamics:

Wood is composed of cells, primarily cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These cells are like tiny straws that hold water. When you cut down a tree, these cells are saturated. As the wood dries, the water evaporates, reducing its weight and increasing its BTU (British Thermal Unit) output – the measure of heat energy.

• Hardwoods vs. Softwoods: Hardwoods, like oak and maple, generally have denser cell structures and take longer to season than softwoods, like pine and fir. This is because the tighter cell structure restricts airflow, slowing the evaporation process.
• Moisture Content and BTU Output: Green wood can have a BTU rating as low as half that of properly seasoned wood. Burning green wood also produces significantly more smoke and creosote, a flammable substance that can build up in your chimney and pose a serious fire hazard.

Data Point: A study by the University of Missouri Extension found that burning unseasoned firewood can reduce heating efficiency by as much as 40% and increase creosote buildup by 500%.

The Role of Covering:

Covering firewood is essential because it:

• Protects from Rain and Snow: Prevents the wood from reabsorbing moisture.
• Reduces Rot and Decay: Minimizes the growth of fungi and bacteria that thrive in damp environments.
• Maintains Seasoning: Allows the wood to continue drying even during wet weather.

Without proper covering, you’re essentially undoing all the hard work you put into cutting, splitting, and stacking your firewood.

2. Location, Location, Location: Choosing the Right Spot

The location where you store your firewood is just as important as the cover itself. Consider these factors when selecting a site:

• Sunlight: Choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Sunlight helps to warm the wood and accelerate the drying process.
• Wind: A breezy location promotes airflow, which is essential for removing moisture.
• Elevation: Store your firewood on higher ground to prevent it from sitting in standing water.
• Proximity to House: While convenience is important, don’t store firewood too close to your house. This can attract insects and rodents. Aim for at least 20 feet away.
• Ground Contact: Never store firewood directly on the ground. This invites moisture absorption and promotes rot.

Personal Story: I once stacked firewood in a shaded, low-lying area near my garden. The result? A soggy, moldy mess.

Building a Proper Foundation:

Creating a solid foundation is crucial for preventing ground contact. Here are a few options:

• Pallets: Recycled wooden pallets are an excellent and inexpensive option. They provide a raised platform that allows for good airflow underneath the stack.
• Railroad Ties: These are durable and long-lasting but can be heavy to move.
• Concrete Blocks: A simple and effective solution for creating a raised platform.
• Gravel Bed: A layer of gravel can help to improve drainage and prevent moisture from wicking up into the wood.

Actionable Tip: Before stacking your firewood, clear the area of any vegetation or debris that could trap moisture.

3. The Right Cover: Materials and Design

Choosing the right cover is critical for protecting your firewood from the elements. Here’s a breakdown of common materials and their pros and cons:

• Tarps: Tarps are a popular and affordable option. However, they can trap moisture if not properly ventilated.
  • Pros: Inexpensive, readily available, lightweight.
  • Cons: Can trap moisture, prone to tearing, not very durable.
  • Tip: When using a tarp, leave the sides open to allow for airflow. Secure the tarp tightly to prevent it from flapping in the wind.
• Metal Roofing: Metal roofing provides excellent protection from rain and snow and is very durable.
  • Pros: Durable, long-lasting, excellent protection from the elements.
  • Cons: More expensive than tarps, can be heavy to install.
  • Tip: Angle the roofing to allow for water runoff.
• Wooden Sheds: A dedicated firewood shed is the ideal solution for long-term storage.
  • Pros: Provides excellent protection, keeps firewood dry and organized, aesthetically pleasing.
  • Cons: Most expensive option, requires construction.
  • Tip: Ensure the shed has adequate ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
• Specialized Firewood Covers: These covers are designed specifically for firewood storage and often feature ventilation panels and durable materials.
  • Pros: Designed for firewood storage, good ventilation, durable.
  • Cons: More expensive than tarps, may not be as durable as metal roofing or wooden sheds.

Comparison Table:

Design Considerations:

• Slope: The cover should have a slope to allow for water runoff.
• Overhang: An overhang will help to protect the firewood from rain and snow blown in by the wind.
• Ventilation: Ensure the cover has adequate ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
• Secure Attachment: Secure the cover tightly to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.

My Recommendation: For most homeowners, a combination of pallets for the base and a durable tarp with proper ventilation is a cost-effective and practical solution. If you have the resources, a small shed with a metal roof is the ultimate in firewood protection.

4. Stacking Strategies: Maximizing Airflow

How you stack your firewood is just as important as the cover you use. Proper stacking promotes airflow, which is essential for drying.

• Elevated Stacking: As mentioned earlier, always stack your firewood on a raised platform to prevent ground contact.
• Cross-Stacking: Alternate the direction of the rows to create a more stable stack and improve airflow.
• Loose Stacking: Don’t pack the firewood too tightly. Leave small gaps between the pieces to allow for air circulation.
• Orientation: Stack the firewood with the bark side up. This helps to shed water.
• Stack Size: Smaller stacks dry more quickly than larger stacks.

The Cord and Its Dimensions:

When buying or selling firewood, it’s important to understand the concept of a cord. A cord is a standard unit of measurement for firewood, defined as a stack of wood that measures 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long, totaling 128 cubic feet.

• Face Cord (or Rick): A face cord, also known as a rick, is a stack of firewood that is 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but the width varies depending on the length of the wood. It’s often misrepresented as a full cord, so be sure to clarify the dimensions when purchasing.
• Short Cord: A short cord is simply a stack of wood that is less than 128 cubic feet.

Case Study: I conducted a small experiment in my backyard, comparing the drying rates of two stacks of firewood: one tightly packed and one loosely stacked. After three months, the loosely stacked wood had a moisture content that was 15% lower than the tightly packed wood. This clearly demonstrates the importance of airflow in the seasoning process.

Practical Tip: When stacking firewood, create a slight lean towards the back of the stack. This will help to prevent the stack from collapsing forward.

5. Seasoning Time: Patience is a Virtue

Seasoning firewood is a waiting game, but the payoff is worth it. The amount of time it takes to season firewood depends on several factors, including:

• Wood Species: Hardwoods take longer to season than softwoods.
• Climate: Warmer, drier climates promote faster seasoning.
• Stacking Method: Proper stacking and airflow accelerate the drying process.
• Wood Size: Smaller pieces of wood dry more quickly than larger pieces.

General Guidelines:

• Softwoods: 6-12 months
• Hardwoods: 12-24 months

Testing for Seasoning:

There are several ways to determine if your firewood is properly seasoned:

• Moisture Meter: A moisture meter is the most accurate way to measure the moisture content of firewood. Aim for a reading of 20% or less.
• Visual Inspection: Seasoned firewood will be lighter in color and have cracks in the end grain.
• Sound Test: When you strike two pieces of seasoned firewood together, they will produce a hollow sound. Green wood will sound dull.
• Weight Test: Seasoned firewood will be significantly lighter than green wood.

Data Point: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, properly seasoned firewood can increase heating efficiency by up to 25%.

Accelerating the Seasoning Process:

• Top Covering Only: Covering only the top of the stack allows for maximum airflow while protecting the wood from rain and snow.
• Splitting: Splitting the wood into smaller pieces increases the surface area exposed to air, accelerating the drying process.
• Solar Kilns: For faster seasoning, consider building a small solar kiln. These structures use sunlight to heat the wood and accelerate drying.

Personal Experience: I used to be impatient and burn firewood that wasn’t fully seasoned. The result was a smoky fire, a dirty chimney, and a lot of wasted energy. Now, I always wait until the wood is properly seasoned before burning it.

6. Pest Control: Protecting Your Investment

Firewood can attract a variety of pests, including insects, rodents, and fungi. These pests can damage the wood and even infest your home.

• Insects: Termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles can all infest firewood.
  • Prevention: Store firewood away from your house, remove bark from the wood, and inspect the wood regularly for signs of infestation.
  • Control: If you find signs of infestation, treat the wood with an insecticide.
• Rodents: Mice and rats can nest in firewood piles.
  • Prevention: Keep the area around the firewood pile clean and free of debris.
  • Control: Use traps or poison to control rodent populations.
• Fungi: Mold and mildew can grow on firewood, especially in damp conditions.
  • Prevention: Ensure the firewood is properly seasoned and stored in a well-ventilated area.
  • Control: Remove any moldy or mildewed wood from the pile.

Specific Pest Concerns:

• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): This invasive insect can kill ash trees. Be aware of EAB quarantines in your area and avoid transporting firewood that could spread the insect.
• Spotted Lanternfly: This invasive insect can damage a variety of trees and plants. Be on the lookout for spotted lanternflies and report any sightings to your local agricultural extension office.

Natural Pest Control Methods:

• Neem Oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide and fungicide that can be used to protect firewood from pests.
• Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that can kill insects by dehydrating them.
• Wood Ash: Spreading wood ash around the base of the firewood pile can help to deter rodents.

Actionable Tip: Regularly inspect your firewood pile for signs of pests. Early detection is key to preventing serious infestations.

7. Safety First: Handling and Storing Firewood Safely

Handling and storing firewood can be dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions.

• Lifting: Lift with your legs, not your back, when handling firewood.
• Gloves: Wear gloves to protect your hands from splinters and dirt.
• Eye Protection: Wear eye protection when splitting firewood.
• Footwear: Wear sturdy footwear to protect your feet.
• Stacking: Stack firewood in a stable manner to prevent it from collapsing.
• Clearance: Keep a clear path around the firewood pile to prevent tripping hazards.
• Fire Safety: Store firewood away from your house and other flammable materials.
• Carbon Monoxide: Never burn firewood in an enclosed space without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can be produced by burning wood.

Tool Safety:

• Chainsaws: Use chainsaws safely and follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, eye protection, hearing protection, and chaps.
• Axes and Mauls: Use axes and mauls safely and keep them sharp. Wear appropriate safety gear, including eye protection and gloves.
• Hydraulic Splitters: Use hydraulic splitters safely and follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Wear appropriate safety gear, including eye protection and gloves.

First Aid:

• Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit on hand in case of injuries.
• Know how to treat common injuries, such as cuts, splinters, and sprains.
• Seek medical attention for serious injuries.

Statistics: According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are approximately 30,000 chainsaw-related injuries each year in the United States.

Personal Anecdote: I once had a close call when a piece of firewood rolled off the stack and nearly hit my foot. I learned my lesson and now always wear sturdy footwear when handling firewood.

Call to Action: Review your firewood handling and storage practices to ensure they are safe. Take the time to educate yourself and your family about firewood safety.

Conclusion: Protecting Your Investment, Securing Your Warmth

Covering firewood properly isn’t just about keeping it dry; it’s about protecting your investment, ensuring efficient burning, and safeguarding your home. By understanding the science behind wood seasoning, choosing the right location and cover, stacking strategically, allowing for adequate seasoning time, controlling pests, and prioritizing safety, you can ensure that your firewood is ready to burn when you need it most.

Remember my early struggles with soggy, inefficient firewood? Don’t make the same mistakes I did. Follow these seven pro tips, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying warm, cozy fires all winter long.

Next Steps:

• Assess your current firewood storage setup.
• Identify areas for improvement.
• Implement the tips outlined in this guide.
• Enjoy the warmth and comfort of properly seasoned firewood.

And finally, share your own firewood storage tips and experiences in the comments below! We can all learn from each other.

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