by Kathy
(Grass Valley, CA)
Is a freshly cut, DEAD oak branch dry enough for immediate efficient burning in a fire stove?
Answer
Kathy,
I'm afraid there is no clear-cut answer to your question. The branch could be dry but the only way to check for sure is to test it with a moisture meter.
Usually dead wood in the forest is still pretty wet because it has been split and it soaks up moisture from the ground. However, a dead branch on a standing dead tree could be fairly dry depending on how thick the branch is and how long it has been dead.
-Firewood Matt