Firewood should always be seasoned before use, usually before supply, preferably for 1-2 years, depending on when it was cut.  If a tree is felled in spring or summer it will have a much higher moisture content than if it is felled in autumn or winter.

Small round wood (SRW) should be dried by stacking on bearers in a sunny place, exposed to the prevailing wind.  Most moisture loss is through the ends of logs, and these should be open and exposed, but air flow through the stack should be unhindered.  Bark may be scored or partially or fully removed to assist drying, and the stack should be covered to prevent direct re-wetting from rain, with either a roof, or waterproof or semi-permeable sheeting.

Logs that are well seasoned and fully air dry (typically around 25% moisture content) have cracks and splits across the grain, and the bark comes off easily.