How wood heats twice

arranged woodpiles in the garden

            There is an old saying that wood heats twice: once when its cut and split and the second time when it’s burned.  I agree with that.  Christophe cuts and split the wood and I arrange it into piles.  It’s something to do on cool fall days because the work is too strenuous to do in summer’s heat.  There is something quite sensory about it. Split wood can be smooth, often has a slightly damp feeling, and there is always a lingering perfume from it that fills the air.  It epitomizes the smell, touch, and labor of autumn.

As I have learned, there is clearly defined method to putting together woodpiles.  The split logs must be placed in a certain pattern, straight lines need to be maintained, and it is imperative that 90 degree corners are established.  It looks easy, but it’s not; a well-made structure keeps the pressure balanced, no matter how tall the pile.  I know from experience what happens when these three elements are not respected: the piles crashes to the ground.  The fallen wood takes seems to take twice as long to pick up and reorganize, and while this is the annual work for heating the house, I hate doing the same work twice.