Oxfordshire Woodland Group

Douglas Fir bark has intumescent properties i.e. when exposed to a forest fire the bark swells up to form an insulating layer that helps protect the growing cambium layer underneath and so if you burn this coniferous tree as firewood then it can be worthwhile debarking the trees to ensure a good clean burn. If the tree trunks are split in half or quarter then they can be stacked in a free standing fashion that allows rainwater to rapidly drip through the pile and also encourages good air flow through the pile to quickly dry any surface rainwater and reduce embedded moisture content in the wood.

A plywood sheet placed over the top of the pile would be beneficial in helping to reduce rainwater dripping through the centre of the pile.

Chilterns