Why This Week Is The Best Time To Split Wood + 7 Tips To Save Your Back

This week — January 28th through January 31st — is an especially good time to cut firewood if you follow traditional Farmers’ Almanac wisdom. We’re in the waxing phase of the lunar cycle — the period between the new and full moon — which has long been associated with rising energy, strength, and vitality in nature. Tasks that require physical effort and endurance are believed to be more productive during this phase, making it an ideal window for cutting, splitting, and stacking wood. In addition, when the moon passes through certain zodiac signs, especially earth signs, folklore suggests that working with natural materials like timber yields sturdier, longer-lasting results. In old farming traditions, this combination of lunar phase and zodiac placement was carefully watched, with the belief that working with nature’s rhythm reduced wasted effort and improved outcomes.

Beyond tradition, many people who follow lunar timing say wood cut under these conditions dries more evenly, splits more easily, and seasons into better-burning firewood. Some also believe sap levels are influenced by the moon, which can affect how well wood cures over time. Whether you see it as a practical observation passed down through generations or simply enjoy aligning outdoor work with natural rhythms, this week offers a great opportunity to replenish your firewood supply. It might be cold out, but the work warms you up, and every log stacked now is one less chore you have been putting off. Taking advantage of favorable moon timing now can pay off for the rest of the winter — in warmth, efficiency, and a woodpile you’ll be glad you built.

7 Tips and Tricks for Chopping Wood

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1️⃣ Read the Grain Before You Swing 🌲

Every log has a story written in its end grain. Look for radial lines, cracks, and growth ring patterns — they show you where the wood naturally wants to separate. Straight-grained rounds split like a dream. Twisted grain or lots of knots? Plan to quarter it from the outside edges inward instead of trying to blast it in half 🪵.

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2️⃣ Use a Splitting Maul and Wedges Strategically 🪓

An axe cuts fibers — a splitting maul forces them apart. For big, stubborn rounds, start a crack with the maul, then drive in a steel wedge to finish the job. If one wedge gets buried, leave it and start a second wedge a few inches away. This spreading force will pop even gnarly hardwood open 🌳.

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3️⃣ Strike the Edge, Not the Exact Center 🪨

For large rounds, aiming dead center is actually harder. Instead, hit about 2–3 inches in from the edge. You’re shearing fibers instead of trying to break the whole log at once. Once you split off slabs, the remaining core becomes much easier to manage.

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4️⃣ Let Frozen Wood Work in Your Favor ❄️

If you live where winters get cold, split when logs are frozen. Frozen fibers are more brittle, meaning cleaner splits and less stringy tear-out (especially with elm, gum, or other tough species). Summer splitting = sweat. Winter splitting = crisp, clean breaks 🌬️.

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5️⃣ Control Moisture for Easier Splits 💧

Wood that’s been sitting a few months after cutting often splits easier than freshly felled logs because some moisture has left the fibers. But don’t wait too long with certain species (like oak), which can harden as they dry. Sweet spot = partially seasoned, not green and not rock-dry 🍂.

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6️⃣ Build a Splitting Rhythm 🌄

Efficiency isn’t about brute force — it’s about flow. Set up multiple rounds on your block so you’re not constantly bending over. Split, rotate, split, rotate. Keep your feet planted and let your core do the work 🌿. The less you chase wood around, the longer you can go without fatigue.

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7️⃣ Know When to Noodle Instead 🪚

If a round is huge, knotty, or just plain stubborn 🪨, save your back and use a chainsaw to “noodle” it (cutting with the grain to create slabs). Then split the slabs with a maul. Pros do this all the time — it’s not cheating, it’s efficient trail-smart thinking .

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What are the best woods for fireplaces?

Nothing beats the warmth of a crackling fireplace on a cold evening — but not all firewood is created equal. According to long-standing country wisdom and practical experience echoed in the Farmers’ Almanac, choosing the right wood can mean the difference between a steady, efficient heat and a smoky, fast-burning disappointment. The best firewood burns hot, lasts long, produces minimal smoke, and helps keep your chimney cleaner through the season.

For top performance, stick with dense hardwoods. Oak is the gold standard, delivering long, steady burns and excellent coals, though it needs plenty of seasoning time. Hickory burns extremely hot and long, while hard maple offers a clean, reliable fire that’s easier to split. Ash is a favorite for its ability to burn well even when not perfectly seasoned, and beech provides heat output similar to oak. For a touch of aroma and ambiance, apple and cherry add pleasant fragrance and attractive flames. Avoid softwoods like pine for primary heating, and never burn green, treated, or painted wood. Well-seasoned hardwood is the key to a safer chimney, better heat, and a cozier home all winter long.