Stacking Specifications

In order to store the necessary quantity of firewood, it is important to efficiently stack the firewood using the following guidelines:

Stacks are supported at the ends using end caps formed from two pallets, making an end “L” pallet; one is used at each end.
Position an end cap to start a stack.
- The position should be marked on the ground.
- Two people should move the end cap (don’t try to do it alone!)
- It should be positioned about 2 feet from the adjoining stack.
- Firewood will be stacked on the horizontal part of the end cap to provide stability.
Prepare a date card.
- Use a marker to write on the card:
  - the current date (e.g., May 5, 2023).
  - your initials.
  - the stack number (one greater than the last stack).
- Place the card in a plastic bag and staple to the back of the end cap (on the side opposite the firewood stack).
Start stacking wood. A stack is really a tri-stack having 3 pieces of firewood wide, laid end to end.
- Maintain a slight air gap between these three pieces (1 inch nominally).
- Total stack width should be about 44 inches (14 inch long firewood times 3 plus 2 gaps of 1 inch is 44 inches.)
Once wood is stacked on the pallet, continue the stack on the ground.
- If flat pallets are available you may optionally continue the stack on pallets.
- If pallets are used, only position one at a time to minimize tripping hazards.
Stacks should run parallel, maintaining a stack-to-stack width of about 2 feet.
- Use care as when done with the stacking someone will need to walk the distance to staple the plastic covering in place!
- This spacing also provides much needed air flow among the stacks.
- The ground should be marked for one edge of the stack to help maintain the alignment.
Cross-link the tri-stack periodically by using only two pieces end to end to bridge the air gap between the stacks.
- This will help stabilize the stacks.
- This should be done at about the 3 to 4 foot height every 2 to 3 feet of stack length.
Stack height should be at least 6 feet for most of the length of the stack.
- The middle stack of the tri-stacks should be a couple inches higher than the outside ones to aid rain runoff when covered.
- At the stack end the height is limited by the height of the end cap (under 4 feet).
- Ramp the height from the start end cap up to the full height as quickly as stability permits.
A normal stack will be 30 feet in length; the stack end will be pre-marked on the ground.
- This stack length will hold about 5 cords of firewood.
- When within 4 to 5 feet of the stack end, move an end cap into position.
- Two people should move the end cap (don’t try to do it alone!)
- Firewood will be stacked on the horizontal part of the end cap to provide stability.
- Ramp the full height of the stack down to the top of the end cap as quickly as stability permits.
Cover a completed stack with plastic to keep most rainwater off the stacked firewood.
- Obtain a plastic strip from the storage area. It should be pre-cut to the width needed to cover the stack (about 4 feet).
- With the help of at least one additional person, stretch the plastic along the entire stack length.
- The plastic should cover just the top and a couple inches on each side.
- Staple the plastic to keep it in place:
  - Staple the plastic to the start end cap along the top of the end cap.
  - Along each side of the stack, staple the plastic to the ends of the top pieces of firewood every 2 to 4 feet of stack length.
  - If necessary cut the plastic to length at the end end cap, and staple along the top of the end cap.
Prepare a date card.
- Use a marker to write on the card:
  - the current date (e.g., May 12, 2023).
  - your initials.
  - the stack number (same as on the card on the start end cap).
- Place the card in a plastic bag and staple to the back of the end cap (on the side opposite the firewood stack).

Cutting Team | Splitting Team | Stacking Team | Delivery Team