Splitting maple is only the first half of the preparation process. How the wood is stacked and stored determines how effectively it dries, how much moisture it re-absorbs during wet seasons, and whether it arrives at the firebox in good condition. This article covers the mechanics of stacking and the storage configurations that work best for Canadian conditions.
Ground Clearance — The Non-Negotiable First Step
Direct contact between firewood and bare ground creates a persistent moisture problem. Soil stays wet long after rain, and wood in contact with it wicks moisture upward continuously, even during dry spells. Ground contact also creates ideal habitat for carpenter ants, termites, and other insects that can colonize the stack and, eventually, migrate toward nearby structures.
Standard practice is to raise the bottom course of wood on treated lumber rails, concrete blocks, or commercial firewood rack supports. A minimum clearance of 10–15 cm off the ground is generally sufficient for drainage and pest deterrence. Most provincial fire codes and the Natural Resources Canada wood heating guidance recommend that outdoor firewood storage be elevated — this is consistent with most municipal fire prevention bylaws as well.
Stack Height and Structural Stability
Tall freestanding stacks are both a safety hazard and a storage inefficiency. A stack that collapses mid-winter scatters seasoned wood across a snow-covered yard and can damage fencing, vehicles, or people working nearby. The practical upper limit for a freestanding stack without end supports is generally considered to be 1.2 to 1.5 metres.
For taller stacks, end supports are essential. These can be:
- Log rounds stood vertically at each end to anchor the row (the "Holz Hausen" variation)
- Metal T-posts or wooden stakes driven into the ground at each end
- Purpose-built metal firewood rack brackets
- The walls of a covered woodshed
In Canadian conditions with significant snow load, covered stacks should be considered. Snow accumulation on an uncovered stack can compress and destabilize the upper courses over a winter. It also introduces moisture into the top layer that takes the following summer to dry out again.
Orientation and Airflow
Effective drying depends on air moving through and around the stack. A stack oriented so its length runs perpendicular to the prevailing wind allows air to move across the cut faces of the wood — the surfaces through which moisture exits most efficiently. In most of southern Ontario and Quebec, orienting rows roughly east-west positions the long faces toward the dominant southwest winds.
Avoid stacking wood tight against a solid fence or building wall. A gap of at least 15–20 cm between the back of the stack and any solid surface allows air circulation and prevents moisture transfer from the wall structure into the wood.
Covered vs. Open Storage
The ideal situation varies by stage of the seasoning process:
- During active drying (first 12–18 months): Cover the top only. Leave sides open. Tarps draped over the entire stack trap humidity and slow drying.
- After reaching target moisture content: Move wood into a fully covered structure (woodshed, garage, covered lean-to) to maintain moisture levels through the heating season.
A basic lean-to shed with open front and mesh sides offers a practical balance: it keeps rain and snow off the top while allowing full airflow on three sides. This type of structure is common across rural Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes and can be built inexpensively from pressure-treated lumber and corrugated metal roofing.
Indoor Storage — Quantity and Timing
Moving firewood indoors (into a heated space, garage, or attached woodshed) should be done in manageable quantities — typically a one-to-three day supply — rather than bringing in a month's worth at once. Reasons include:
- Large quantities of wood brought into a heated space release moisture into the building as they warm, which can affect indoor humidity levels.
- Insects overwintering in wood may become active in a warm interior environment.
- Keeping a small indoor supply encourages regular restocking, which means fresher assessment of wood condition before burning.
Pest Considerations Specific to Eastern Canada
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is not a concern for maple, but the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) — established in parts of Ontario — does target maple trees. Moving firewood across provincial or regional boundaries is regulated in affected zones. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency maintains current information on movement restrictions. Firewood cut from known maple stands within regulated areas should not be transported outside those zones.
For storage within a given property, keeping the stack dry and elevated, and inspecting periodically for D-shaped exit holes in the bark (a signature of longhorned beetle emergence), is the practical monitoring approach.
Estimating Quantity — The Cord as a Unit
Firewood in Canada is typically sold by the cord. A standard cord is a stacked volume of 2.4 m × 1.2 m × 1.2 m (8 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft), equalling 3.6 cubic metres. A face cord (or bush cord) is one row of that same footprint, roughly one-third of a standard cord. Sugar maple at standard cord dimensions represents a substantial heating resource — a well-insulated Ontario home may burn one to two standard cords through a full heating season supplemented by central heating.
When stacking, keep track of your volumes in cord equivalents. This makes year-to-year usage comparisons straightforward and helps with procurement planning the following spring.