An advance

In the “Bark Up versus Bark Down” debate. I was researching round woodpile building to up my game. (There is debate whether the technique comes from Germany or Norway, I’d lean towards both, but won’t use either term for simplicity.)

I found some excellent and useful strategies. Amidst the research someone mentioned that stacking bark down allows moisture to travel/leave the wood, versus the bark trapping it like a hat, umbrella. To split hairs, the water will leave the wood in the right conditions, but I’d like it happen as quickly as possible.

Note that the ends of the pieces are cracking slightly. Wood shrinks as it dries, the mass of the water leaves. You’ll also note that not every stick is bark down, some puzzle pieces fall into place. That’s part of the practice.

One reason for stacking bark up is to shed rain, but I’ll create a cover should it rain again (or “when” but it doesn’t feel very rainy right now…)

As the wood dries/shrinks, the bark does not (as much/at the same rate), facilitating its removal I don’t burn bark for many reasons, but some makes it into the stove. Again, part of the practice.