If you've just cut down a tree and want to split the logs for firewood, you may be wondering if you can split them right away. The answer is maybe. It depends on the type of wood and how fresh it is.
Freshly cut hardwoods like oak, maple, or hickory will be too hard to split if they're green (meaning they still have moisture in them). The fibers in the wood are still too flexible and will resist being split. You'll need to let these logs dry out for at least 6 months before splitting them.
Softer woods like pine or fir can be split soon after they're cut since they're not as dense. However, even with these kinds of wood, it's best to wait a week or two so they can lose some of their moisture content. If the wood is too wet, it will be harder to split and could damage your splitting maul.
In general, it's always best to err on the side of caution and give your logs time to dry out before trying to split them. Once they're properly seasoned, they'll Split much more easily and evenly.