Kiwi version of a Scandinavian firewood stack

You can stack two layers deep, with a cavity in the middle for the odd-shaped bits.

The idea behind a circular firewood stack is that it's open to the wind 360 degrees which is what actually dries the wood, not the sun. In Scandinavia they don't seem to cover their stacks, I guess because their winters are relatively dry, but it's a different story here. I wanted a roof that made me smile because I have to walk past it four times a day, at least. A boring tarp would also impede air flow. So I created a giant umbrella. I'm actually building about seven or eight of these for long-term storage.

Start with four large pallets on concrete blocks, levelled flat or slightly inward, otherwise the stack starts to tip outwards as it gets higher.

In the middle place a 2-metre-plus post. I reinforced mine with galvanised pipes as it wasn't deep and stable enough. I screwed a long bolt into the top. It can also be built around a tree.

The roof is an old trampoline frame with springs, as pictured. You can also use 32mm alkathene pipe and wire. The roof is designed to sway in the wind a little.

Heavy-duty builders' plastic, 4x4m, covers the frame, with the top bolt sticking through.

I put an old hand-truck tyre underneath that to stop it ripping as it moves in the wind. It's clipped onto the frame with little sections of 32mm alkathene pipe, then I trimmed the plastic.

The top of the roof is made of tree fern fronds in bunches tied up with wire at the ends, making a little loop that hooks over the bolt. You need quite a lot of fronds. Scrubby young kanuka trees could give a similar effect and last a few seasons.

There's a bit of an art to stacking the wood. Keep everything relatively level and each piece should be placed so it's stable and solid. Keep the outer edge flush and vertical. You can stack two layers deep, with a cavity in the middle for chucking the odd-shaped bits into.

And still on the subject of firewood, here's a tip for splitting wood that saves countless back-breaking hours of bending over and rebalancing, and therefore speeds up the process. You just need a chopping block big enough to hold a narrow-rimmed tyre.

Load up the inside of the tyre and whack, whack, whack — straight into the wheelbarrow and ready to stack. Great for elderly or people with back problems . . . or anyone wanting to save time and effort.