If you have a wood stove or fireplace you must burn dry wood in order to obtain maximum efficiency with a level of safety. Green wood must be aged and cannot be saturated with rainwater. Freshly cut trees provide green lumber – lumber that contains high levels of moisture.
To dry firewood properly, it must be off the ground so that air can pass underneath it and should be sheltered from rain. Depending on the type of tree it can take six to 12 months in order to dry the logs properly before they are ready for burning. Wet or moist logs add creosote to fireplaces and chimneys increasing the possibility of a fire.
Figure 1 shows a shed that provides an excellent method of drying lumber for burning.
Figure 1 - Storage shed for drying firewood
Figure 2 - Rack for drying firewood
Additional information on making firewood storage and enclosures
Selection of pre-built outdoor firewood racks.