The Simple Solution That Effectively Dries Out Firewood In Winter (While Looking Good)

For folks who use firewood to heat their homes, finding effective methods for stacking and storing wood is important. Firewood must stay covered from wet weather to keep it dry, and also needs good airflow. These conditions will help wood to "season" (a term that means allowing wood to dry so it will burn more safely and effectively). Of the many creative yet practical ways to store firewood in winter to ensure good seasoning, there's one that's gaining popularity for its uniquely attractive design: the holzhausen. 

The word "holzhausen" is a German word that means "houses of wood" or "wood houses," but the tradition itself hails from Scandinavia. The design is also known as a beehive or a "Norwegian beehive" due to its cylindrical shape. The top of the circular stack often has split logs layered so they come to a gentle point, with the bark side facing up to resemble roof shingles. This stacking method is effective for drying wood because it creates considerable airflow throughout the entire structure, and that airflow is what helps wood to dry out and season, making it excellent fuel for heating the home.

While this method of stacking wood is not new, it's become more popular in recent years as images are shared on social media. Since the design is straightforward and fairly simple to build, it's considered a good DIY firewood storage solution. The holzhausen is an excellent choice for people who have some space and want a freestanding firewood stack that has an attractive, sculptural look.

To create a holzhausen wood stack, you first want to choose a location that's suitable. It needs to be level and large enough for your wood supply. You'll want some kind of base materials to keep the bottom layer of wood from getting muddy: wood pallets or several layers of cut branches (what loggers call "slash") can both work. You should also estimate how much firewood you'll need to last the winter. Heating with wood all year for an average-size home can take four to seven cords of wood, according to the University of Nebraska. 

Building several small stacks may prove easier and more practical than one large one. While this may seem like more work initially, it might end up being more convenient in the long run because the wood will be easier to reach (due to the shorter stack), and you can clear out one stack at a time more quickly, freeing up the space as you do. Smaller stacks also get more airflow than larger ones, because the surface of the logs is more exposed to air, allowing the wood to dry out faster.

You'll want to try to have your wood supply as close as possible to where you're building the holzhausen, to save time and labor. Consider the logistics of having your wood delivered or moved from another spot using wheelbarrows or a truck. Choosing a site that's accessible to a drop-off point can save some effort, as will having at least two people helping to stack the wood.

There are different approaches to building a holzhausen wood stack. Look around online for videos, or check out blogs about homesteading or permaculture forums, to see images and get some ideas. Start with a circular base of pallets or slash, roughly 6 to 8 feet in diameter. You can create several narrow stacks around its periphery as structural supports, and then also stack wood in the middle. Add crosswise layers to help stability and create visual interest. Or, you could start in the center and stack the wood lengthwise in a starburst pattern, and build the stack upward and outward. Some people create wire or rope cages to hold it together, while others just have a freestanding stack.

Unless you're experienced with stacking wood or have some good carpentry and DIY skills, it's best to keep your stacks on the smaller side initially, in the interest of ease and safety. A woodpile that's too tall and unstable might cause an accident or injury. If your holzhausen is a bit of a walk from your house, building a small DIY storage rack lets you keep a supply of logs handy.

Try to get wood that is split to a fairly uniform size. This can be interspersed with smaller round logs. You should find that wood stacked this way dries and seasons more efficiently than other stacking methods. But in the event of heavy rain or snow, you may want to use a tarp to keep off excess moisture, which can slow down the seasoning process.