On Feb 3, 3:50*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
What signs do firewood exhibit when it is dry enough to burn well? *Does the
bark start coming off? *What about species where the bark is tenacious? *I
cut some FRESH fruit trees this past summer, and I KNOW it won't be ready
before next fall, but I was wondering how to select pieces of wood from my
big pile by just looking at it. *When we go to recover wood, we take freshly
fallen wood, as well as downed wood that has already aged, and the bark is
coming off. *We try to select the stuff where the bark is coming off, but
not so old that there is any insect activity going on, like wood ants, or
such, or any rot.

Steve

It varies. If kept in a well ventilated, dry place most wood needs a
year to dry out. Some such as willow takes two years. (From being
freshly cut down)

If you're going into serious wood burning you need to construct a
proper store to keep the rain off but be well ventilated. Also
designed so that the wood can be used in rotation. I have a lot of
wood so mine is stored for three years minimum. My final drying off is
completed in my conservatory.
Very important to get it as dry as possible.