How firewood is stacked affects two things simultaneously: how quickly it dries and how safely it stores. A poorly structured pile can shift or collapse during freeze-thaw cycles, while a tightly compacted stack with no airflow can extend seasoning time by months. This article covers the primary stacking methods used in Canada, cord measurement standards, and the structural considerations relevant to each approach.
Stacking firewood on a raised surface to improve airflow from below. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Understanding the Cord: Canada's Standard Firewood Measurement
In Canada, a cord is the standard unit of measure for firewood. A full cord represents a stack of wood occupying 128 cubic feet (approximately 3.6 cubic metres) when arranged in a tight, aligned pile. The traditional dimensions that produce this volume are 4 feet wide × 4 feet tall × 8 feet long.
A face cord (also called a rick in some regions) is one third of a full cord: 4 feet tall × 8 feet long × 16 inches deep. Because 16-inch pieces are the most common cut length sold in Canadian markets, face cords are the most frequently traded unit in practical terms.
Measurement note: The actual solid wood content of a cord varies depending on piece size and how tightly the wood is stacked. A cord of small, tightly arranged splits contains more solid wood than the same volume of large irregular rounds. Some Canadian provinces have consumer protection guidelines for firewood sales; Ontario, for example, requires sellers to disclose the volume of wood being sold.
Linear Rows: The Standard Approach
The most common stacking pattern in Canadian practice is the parallel linear row—splits arranged horizontally, each row running in the same direction. End-pieces may be staggered slightly to improve stability. This pattern is easy to build, straightforward to measure, and compatible with most storage structures.
Key considerations for linear stacking:
- Raise the bottom row off the ground using pallets, rails, or a concrete block foundation to prevent ground moisture from wicking into the wood and to allow air circulation beneath the stack.
- Avoid stacking directly against a wall or fence. A gap of at least 6 inches on the back allows air to circulate behind the pile.
- Stack bark side up on the top rows to shed rain rather than absorb it. Some practitioners orient all rows bark-side up, though this can reduce stability in tall stacks.
- Keep individual rows to a maximum of 4 feet in height without lateral support structures to reduce the risk of the stack toppling during freeze-thaw movement.
The Holz Hausen (Round Pillar) Method
The Holz Hausen, a traditional central-European approach, involves building a circular stack with the split faces pointing inward and the round or bark sides facing outward. A structural core in the centre, built from angled or interlocked pieces, provides the internal support that keeps the circular form stable without external framing.
Proponents of the Holz Hausen report faster drying times under certain conditions because the circular form creates a chimney effect: warm air rises through the centre, drawing moisture-laden air out from between the pieces. The outward-facing bark also provides a degree of rain shedding on the perimeter.
Practical limitations include a steeper learning curve to build correctly, difficulty in accurately measuring volume for purchasing or selling, and the need for a flat, level base surface. A Holz Hausen of 6 feet diameter and 4 feet height holds approximately 1.5 to 2 face cords depending on piece size and tightness of fit.
Preparing split wood before stacking. Consistent piece length simplifies stacking and measurement. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Crisscross Ends for Stack Stability
Long linear stacks that are not supported by a shed wall or end-post can collapse sideways. A common solution is to build crisscross end pillars: at each end of the row, pieces are stacked at alternating 90-degree angles to create an interlocked tower that acts as a bookend for the main linear stack.
This method is widely used in Ontario and Quebec, where hardwood pieces cut to 16 inches can be stacked 5–6 feet high in supported rows. The crisscross ends provide stability without requiring external framing but require some attention to level placement to avoid a gradual lean as wood settles.
Covered vs. Uncovered Storage
Whether to cover a stack during seasoning depends on climate and timing. During the active drying period (typically spring and early summer), leaving the top of the stack open or lightly covered with a breathable material allows moisture to escape more freely. A heavy waterproof tarp laid tightly over the entire stack can trap humidity inside, particularly in high-humidity climates.
| Storage Approach | Best For | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Open stack, no cover | Dry prairie summers; spring drying phase | Rain rewets top layers; snow adds weight |
| Top-only tarp cover | Most Canadian regions during seasoning | Must be weighted or secured to stay in place |
| Three-sided woodshed | Long-term storage after seasoning complete | Capital cost; requires site planning |
| Full tarp wrap | Already-dry wood being protected in winter | Traps humidity if wood is not already dry |
Fire Safety Considerations for Outdoor Stacks
Wood piles near structures present a fire hazard during wildfire conditions, particularly in the western Canadian interface zone. Many provincial fire authorities and municipalities have guidelines on minimum setback distances for outdoor wood storage from buildings.
General guidelines from various Canadian fire authorities typically recommend:
- A minimum of 10 feet (3 metres) between a woodpile and any structure with combustible siding or roofing.
- Clearing dry grass and vegetation from around the base of the stack during high fire-danger periods.
- Not storing wood directly under a deck or in an attached garage without fire-separation measures.
Specific requirements vary by municipality and province. Ontario and other provinces publish fire-safety advisories for residential wood-burning that include storage guidance.