Why split logs

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Corporate Support. Recognizing Your Generosity. By Linda Ly. Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn. How do you know when your firewood has been properly seasoned? A few clues: Dry wood is lighter in weight and has cracks on the ends Dry wood turns gray, yellow, or deep brown as it dries while wet, or "green" wood, is white, cream, or light brown When you bang two logs together, you should hear a hollow smack instead of a deep thud In general, softwoods need 6 to 12 months for seasoning, while hardwoods need 1 to 2 years.

Up Next. Don't Fear the DIY. Kilauea: Mountain of Fire. Read More. By Sandi Hemmerlein. Contrary to popular misconception, the best stance for splitting wood sees your shoulders squared off relative to the doomed log, not with one foot forward and one step back.

This position concentrates maximum force down through your swing. Put your dominant hand right under the head of the axe; it will slide down as you swing, directing the blade or the sledgehammer and increasing force as you move. Your other hand should grip the axe handle right near its bottom. Swing for the center of smaller logs hit with the grain when possible and cut nearer the outside of larger logs, with the blade striking parallel to an imagined diameter not perpendicular to the arc of the log, if you follow.

If your maul gets stuck, you can either pull it out and try again; you can drive in a wedge and knock that through with the sledgehammer; or you can leave the maul in the log, turn the whole thing over, and pound away at it with a hammer or with another log, if you are sans sledge.

With a maul, a wedge, a sledgehammer, and some persistence, you should be able to split most logs that are less than two feet in length and two feet in diameter. Above that size, consider using an electric log splitter or hiring a Norwegian man with an impossibly gorgeous beard to help. To split wood without an axe, one labor-intensive but effective approach is to saw through logs lengthwise.

Firstly, you will need to chop the logs so they are the right size before you split them - this is where the chainsaw really comes into its own. Next, trim the log from all of its branches, as these will just get in the way of your work later on. Once you have cut the branches off, you will need to trim the log so it is the right length for your fireplace or woodstove, and be very careful with what you are using to hold the wood.

If you are using a sawhorse you will be able to cut right the way through. Try to avoid cutting on the floor, as you may end up cutting through dirt or rocks, which will quickly dull the chain.

When splitting the logs with the maul, you need to make sure you have a chopping block that sits underneath the log you want to split. By placing the log on a block, it creates a hard surface to create a clean cut. If you place the log on soft ground, it will reduce the energy delivered to the wood by the head of the maul, making it harder to cut efficiently.

Depending on the diameter of the logs you are cutting, you can use a sawhorse. To make splitting the logs as easy as possible, you need to keep an eye out for any weak spots in the wood and target them, looking for cracks that already exist.

You will find it much easier to split the logs on a pre-existing crack than creating one from scratch. Also, you should avoid trying to split logs where there are existing obstacles such as knots, as it will be extremely difficult to cut through. There is a common misconception that the most effective blow will be at the centre of the log; however, it is in fact towards the edge where it is at its weakest.

You should therefore aim for a specific spot on the log where you think it will be at its most vulnerable. This will make the log fall apart much easier. The round log has excess bark that is a bad sign for quality firewood. The round log is perfect for outdoor because it burns slowly. Please note: avoid burning all treated wood and industrial wood: pallets, painted wood, etc. These woods can give off toxic vapors and foul heating appliances.

The best wood species for heating are:. Note : in all cases, prefer locally produced wood. This contributes to better respect for the environment and local activity. When and what is the best time to split? Green or seasoned which you should split? Why should you split? All the questions you have to know before going to split your firewood. Because without knowing those questions your splitting job will more difficult. I hope it helped to make a decision on when to split and which wood you should choose for firewood.

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