Building a Holz Hausen (or Beehive) Woodpile

A neighboring lot is being developed; a 'weed' tree, basswood or cottonwood, was being cut down and I asked to have anything bigger than 4" in diameter dropped off on my sidewalk.

My friend Blake and I, using Art's chainsaw, cut it into usable lengths and then I split it with a maul.  It will take 6 months or so to dry and then I can burn it in my wood stove out in the shop.

We cut everything into roughly 12" pieces, short enough to fit into the wood stove.

I sized my pile to use up the available wood. It's about 5' in diameter, and when finished, will be 4' tall. I'll put a round tarp on top to keep the water and snow off. 

In the few days that it's been in place, three people have told me it reminds them of a Andy Goldsworthy piece.  I don't know about that; I just like the way it looks.