Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

Sitka spruce vs lodgepole pine firewood


Paddyf
 Share

Recommended Posts

Log in or register to remove this advert

On 25/11/2021 at 18:41, nepia said:

I'm told by my mate in Scotland that Lodgepole is planted with Spruce because of its fast early years growth that don't actually smother the Spruce but do protect it from wind and weather.  The Spruce catches up, overtakes and then smothers the Lodgepole:  does this make sense to you?

Yea 100%. This was similarly done with Japanese larch in the past too. Was in a 30 year old stand today. The Sitka spruce has completely outcompeted the larch and most of the larch were standing deadwood. If the stand were 15 years old, the larch would be standing a meter or so taller than the spruce. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

just over done it again 2 pieces of pine, on smallish one moderately large,added to a stove with merely embers.  vents open for about 2 mins to get good flames but then shut as much as i can. I suspected the laarger lump was 'fat wood' full of resin as it was heavy.  Hmm, seems so. flue thermometer is now right round as far as it goes and ir/laser thermometer reads 465C if i shine that at the flue.  its good stuff this pine, if rather over potent.  I'm starting to think I'd swap the 15+m3 of oak still in the pile for pine if i got the chance.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 25/11/2021 at 18:41, nepia said:

I'm told by my mate in Scotland that Lodgepole is planted with Spruce because of its fast early years growth that don't actually smother the Spruce but do protect it from wind and weather.  The Spruce catches up, overtakes and then smothers the Lodgepole:  does this make sense to you?

It's called a nurse crop.  Lodgepole is particularly good as it helps, I believe, fix the nitrogen in the soil, particularly peaty, heathery areas which Sitka often struggles in.  Lodgepole will keep up with the spruce in the early years, I don't believe it has any benefit protecting spruce from the weather though - spruce are pretty hardy.  Sometimes it is planted in alternate rows (haven't seen this in a long time) or in intimate mixes 1*1, 2*1 or 2*2.  Lodgepole is currently out of favour due to red band needle blight (DNB).  It can be a nice tree if you get the right provenance, or it can be an absolutely horrible tree if you get the wrong provenance.  It is generally out-competed in the long run by Sitka, giving a self-thinning plantation which can be beneficial on steep ground with poor soils where doing an actual thinning can be costly and coutner productive by opening up the crop to windthrow.

  • Like 4
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Spruce Pirate said:

 Lodgepole is particularly good as it helps, I believe, fix the nitrogen in the soil, particularly peaty, heathery areas 

Exactly the context in which such use was described to me; Caithness, 3 miles from the sea.  Though even the heather struggled!  Very wet and uneven ground

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


  •  

  • Featured Adverts

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.