How to Store Firewood Through a Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Winter
Good firewood can go bad fast in an Ohio winter. Here's how to stack, cover and store your wood so it stays dry and ready to burn from the first snow to the spring thaw.
You found good, dry wood. Now the job is keeping it that way. Winters in Cleveland and across Northeast Ohio can bring lake-effect snow, freezing rain and plenty of thaw-and-refreeze days, and all of that moisture is hard on a woodpile. With a little planning, your firewood in Cleveland, Akron or anywhere in the region can stay dry and ready to burn from the first snowfall to the last chilly night in spring. Here's how our family at Mike Jones & Sons Tree Service recommends storing it.
Haven't stocked up yet? We deliver seasoned firewood and stack it right where you want it.
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Pick the Right Spot
Where you put your woodpile matters as much as how you stack it. Look for a spot that is:
- Away from the house. Keep the main stack several feet from your siding. Wood stacked against the house blocks airflow and gives insects and rodents an easy path to your home.
- On solid, well-drained ground. Avoid low spots where snowmelt and rain collect.
- Easy to reach. In the middle of a January snowstorm, a short, clear path from the stack to the door makes a big difference.
- Open to the breeze. Good airflow keeps wood dry and helps it keep seasoning.
Get It Off the Ground
Never stack firewood directly on the dirt or grass. Ground moisture soaks into the bottom row and can lead to rot, mold and bugs. A firewood rack, a couple of old pallets, or rows of blocks or treated lumber all work well to lift the wood up and let air flow underneath.

Photo: Mike Jones & Sons Tree Service
Cover the Top, Leave the Sides Open
This is the most important storage tip for an Ohio winter. Snow and rain need to stay off the top of your stack, but the sides should stay open so moisture can escape.
- Use a woodshed, a lean-to, a firewood rack cover, or a tarp over the top only.
- Don't wrap a tarp all the way to the ground. That traps moisture and turns your stack into a damp, moldy mess.
- After a heavy snow, brush off the cover so the weight and melting snow don't sag onto the wood.
Stack It the Smart Way
- Stack in single rows when you can, with a little space between rows for airflow.
- Place pieces with the bark side up on the top layer to help shed water.
- Crisscross the ends of each row (sometimes called building "towers" or "end pillars") to keep the stack from leaning or tipping over.
- Keep stacks at a stable, reasonable height so they don't topple when the ground freezes and thaws.
Let us do the heavy lifting. Our team will deliver and stack your seasoned firewood on your property, in Akron-Cleveland, Columbus or Seattle.
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Bring In Only What You Need
Keep a small supply indoors, just enough for a day or two, in a log holder or carrier near the fireplace. A big pile inside the house can bring in insects that were happily sleeping in the wood outside. Many folks also keep a few days' worth on a covered porch or in the garage so they don't have to dig out the main stack after every snowfall.

Photo: Mathias Reding / Pexels
Rotate Your Wood
If you have wood left over from last year, burn that first and stack new deliveries behind it. Properly stored seasoned firewood keeps well, but wood left sitting for many years can start to break down and lose quality.
Quick Winter Storage Checklist
- Stack is a few feet away from the house.
- Wood is off the ground on a rack or pallets.
- Top is covered, sides are open.
- Path to the woodpile is easy to clear.
- Only a day or two of wood is inside.
Firewood Cleveland and Akron Families Can Rely On
Mike Jones & Sons Tree Service, LLC is a family business with over four decades of experience, and we're fully insured. Our seasoned firewood is guaranteed seasoned, and we'll deliver and stack it anywhere you need it. Delivery is priced by mileage.
- Our seasoned firewood (Akron-Cleveland and Columbus): 1/6 cord $274.12 · Face cord (1/3 cord) $548.24 · VIP Full Cord Plan $1,422
- Seattle, WA: 1/6 cord $412.50 · Face cord (1/3 cord) $825
Get your winter supply in before the snow flies. Choose your area to book, or call or text (234) 300-2311.
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Visit Us at: https://www.mikejonessonstreeservice.com/









