Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - When should I split wood for fireplace?

I have a small tree I cut into 18-24" chunks that have not been split yet. The bark is intact so they look like plain old small barrel logs.

I do not intend to use these for burning this coming season 09-10, but I think I will use them starting about 14 months from now.


My question is, should I split the logs now so I expose more of the inside fibers to dry out, or should I leave them solid to "prolong" their life and cut them next year in the spring?

In either case i intend to store them outside, above the ground but under a tarp--in some kind of a lean-to.

Thanks for your advice.

I'm no expert on burning wood but it is my understanding that some wood gets extremely hard to split the longer you wait after cutting the tree. Also, by splitting now the wood will have a better chance of drying clear through when it comes time to burn.

If it is a good hardwood go ahead and split it now. I have used 6 year old wood and it held up nicely. However, if it is a softwood tree, pine, poplar, other, probably splitting it now would still be best, but don't hold it too long as some tends to get punky.

I'm sure you are talking hardwood :). And Furd is correct that dry wood can be a bear to split.

Bud

Thanks for the reply's! It is a hardwood, I think. I will split away and let it dry for the following year. Thanks again.

Great workout and ohhh so satisfying when the stack is all done. Helps to have another person to put the logs up for ya and stack the split stuff, and don't try using an ax unless yer real buff. A splitting maul will be a good investment.

Yeah, GG, pulling that hydraulic lever is a bear! Oh, you're talking about doing it manually!! Gotta be dedicated to do that. My dad had a stack of cut wood between the house and lake. On his way to the lake, he would whack a piece and split it and keep walking, doing it again on his way back. He was in no hurry.