The truth about Elm.

[nantmoel]

I'm sitting in front of my Stovax Stove and I'm burning Elm, OK it was well dead when felled it few weeks back, but it burns great and hot. There's a few more to come down so its a happy and warm Christmas for me!

[widmere]

That poem isn't that good - particularly the bit about Ash - if its green it isn't good enough.

[David oakman]

I agree green ash will burn slow and blacken your glass:thumbdown:

[chilli]

A few years back, I had several tonnes of big elm rings which I (with hindsight) foolishly allowed to season before I tried to split it down. I tried with axe, maul, wood grenade & metal wedges, all to no effect. It wasn't until I got my first hydraulic splitter that I could break it down. Even then, it didn't split cleanly but rather tore apart leaving 'strands' hanging off. Customers loved it & all said it was a great fuel.

[s.varty]

What is the truth about Elm as firewood if you read the poems or firewood charts they say Elm sits and smoulders and does not burn.

I am clearing two ponds at the moment and there are about 100 Elms so it seems that will be in my cordwood stack for next year so what do you guys and gals think of Elm as firewood:001_smile:

 

Elm is one of those woods where you have to catch it right to get the best out of it. When the bark starts to fall off leave it standing for at least 2 years. When the bark has completely dissapeared and it is bald you have the best firewood money can buy, i would gladly cut my right arm off for 100 tons of this wood.

[defenderjack]

Elm is one of those woods where you have to catch it right to get the best out of it. When the bark starts to fall off leave it standing for at least 2 years. When the bark has completely dissapeared and it is bald you have the best firewood money can buy, i would gladly cut my right arm off for 100 tons of this wood.

 

guy i work for has about 40 lengths in his yard !all street trees that had dutch elm , cutting them down quicker than he can get rid of ! he swears by it too once its seasoned ,

i tried some the other night that i cut down about six monthes ago mixed it with some really well seasoned horsechestnut and it went up a treat and kept burning for ages

[s.varty]

guy i work for has about 40 lengths in his yard !all street trees that had dutch elm , cutting them down quicker than he can get rid of ! he swears by it too once its seasoned ,

i tried some the other night that i cut down about six monthes ago mixed it with some really well seasoned horsechestnut and it went up a treat and kept burning for ages

 

Spot on my old son, anyone who says elm is no good for firewood is trying to burn it to early, before its seasoned. You know when it is properly seasoned because it "snaps" in two when split. If it is unseasoned it is the stringiest wood you will ever split.

[Daniel Jiggins]

I have never burnt any i usually burn it on the bonfire. Two woods i love and have for myself is white thorn and black thorn:thumbup:

 

do you rate thorn then david? ive been clearing a hedge line and got several tractor trailer loads to bring home mainly small stuff im an oak and ash man normally, pic of one load.

[David oakman]

Blackthorn and white thorn are class 1 firewood in my old forestry books:001_smile: I find white thorn needs longer to season.

[Daniel Jiggins]

glad i never put it on the bonfire then