STOGUIDE pages 85-116:Layout 1 10/30/07 1:15 PM Page 109
L I F E S T Y L E
indicate a sloppy or disorganized type—the
STEPH
typical sandal wearer, sans socks.
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Is your woodpile inside an attractive shelter
to protect it from the elements? This could
mean you are overly cautious, or maybe even
pretentious, depending on how fancy the shel-
ter is. Is your stack open to the elements or
under a covering? Then you might be a more
confident, utilitarian type . . . or not.
But regardless of how your woodpile looks,
its construction can be a meaningful and per-
sonally fulfilling process. Many enjoy the
exercise involved in moving wood from pile to
stack, and once complete they feel a great
sense of achievement upon seeing how their
work stacks up. For other people, repetitive
wood cutting and stacking can produce an
almost Zen-like meditative state. For some it
is just a chore.
Whatever your personality type, however,
woodpile experts—woodpile experts?—gener-
ally recommend several techniques for creat-
ing a healthy woodpile. The most important
step is to store the wood so it will dry proper-
ly. It’s best to keep the wood outside where
sunlight and air can do their thing, and not to
St
stack the wood directly on the ground or
against a structure or solid wall.
On display a
ephen Huneck’
Experienced wood burners recommend that
57 Mountai
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owe
wood be cut and split into smaller pieces
before being stacked. This promotes the dry-
ing process, which usually takes six months or
more. Remember that wood attracts creatures.
Ants, beetles, worms, snakes and spiders are
just some of the uninvited guests that may
take up residence. There is little cause for con-
cern but you can reduce these creatures’ visits
by keeping wood off the ground and away
from structures and fences.
Don’t include in your woodpile any wood
that has been painted, treated with any sub-
stance, or comes from an unknown source.
When in doubt, buy hardwood from a rep-
utable source. Preferably a year ahead.
Finally, you’ll need to build a solid wood-
pile that can survive the elements, not to men-
tion gravity. Try to keep woodpiles about four
feet high. Ends of the pile need to be secure,
so bolster them with a single tree or pole, or
place end pieces in a more stable design, such
as a criss-cross pattern.
And remember, following good woodpile
techniques will promote better wood burning,
but it just may also save you a few bucks at
the therapist’s office. a73
Kevin Walsh, a freelance writer and photogra-
pher, has published over 40 articles and columns
in various publications, including the Stowe Guide
& Magazine. A civil trial lawyer in Boston, he
lives with his wife and three sons in Weymouth,
Mass, and for the past 16 years he has spent time
each summer touring northern Vermont. He enjoys
grabbing his camera gear, maps and notebook and
exploring back roads and trails.
109
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