The best way to store firewood is in a log store or woodshed. If you have a wood burner or open fire in your home you will want to have a good stock of fire wood to keep you warm throughout the winter months.
Fresh wood has a water content of around 50% therefore the wood needs to be dried before it can be used as firewood. To begin the drying process chop the fresh wood into logs and split each one leaving its bark partially intact. The moisture content of fire wood is 15-20%. Dry firewood burns quicker, is easier to light and provides better heat than wood with more moisture.
Firewood needs to be stored in a dry area up off of the ground that allows good air circulation around the logs. The most ideal place to keep your logs is inside of a woodshed or a log store. Remember to choose the location of your wood store carefully, during the winter months you will require quick and easy access to your logs on a daily basis. You don’t want to be traipsing to the bottom of the garden and coming back into the house with muddy boots if you have had to lug your logs across your lawn. It is also as important to take into consideration the fact that stores of wood will attract insects so although you want to keep your log store close to your home do try to position it away from doors and opening windows. Keep the back of your wood store slightly away from a wall to allow good air circulation around the logs. Avoid sitting the log store on grass or soil.
A logstore or woodshed provides you with covered shelter from the rain. A log store does have an open front so during really wet weather I would recommend placing tarpaulin over the front of it to keep it dry. Look out for a storage solution with a pent roof as this will prevent rain water from collecting which is an issue with flat roofed woodsheds and firewood stores.
If you are looking to buy a wood store online there are plenty of different sizes available. At Jacks Garden Store you can find a great selection of small log stores, medium log stores and large log stores.
Good luck
Gardener Jack!
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