Measuring
It's highly recommended to have a firewood bin or storage room to keep your firewood safe. Generally, a firewood room will hold one cord, but extensions can always be made.
Wood must be protected from the elements.
The exact amount of firewood that you will need will depend on where you live, the amount of space that you are heating, your storage capacity, and how warm you prefer your house to be.
For further information, we advise you to seek the advice of neighbors or your local agricultural extension office if you need measurement guidance.
Stacking
1. Start with relatively uniform pieces of wood. Consider sorting firewood before stacking.
2. Stack firewood as close as possible to avoid large gaps. Small gaps are needed so the wood can dry.
3. Separate it loosely to allow air flow. If you are stacking against a house or shed, make sure the firewood isn't flush against the building. Maintaining plenty of cracks in your firewood pile is important for allowing air and light to circulate through.
Drying Naturally
1. Split the wood so one side is free from bark. This will allow air to reach the wood and moisture to evaporate.
2. Select a place to stack your woodpile. Ensure the pile will receive plenty of sunshine and air circulation. Do not start the wood pile directly on the ground because the wood on the bottom will retain moisture and start to rot. Instead, lay down metal poles or wooden beams.
3. Space them so air can circulate then stack your firewood on top.
Seasoning
Cut your logs no longer than 12" and split them so that no piece is larger than 4" in either height or width. Lay them out bark-side down in the sun for as many days as possible. Be sure to cover them when it rains. This can be labor intensive, but you will be rewarded with drier logs and better fires.