Poplar

[corylus]

Anyone got experience of using poplar as firewood or charcoal?

I find it impossible to dry in the round (to any useful point) outside. Would splitting to final size in lengths work ?

Any advice (apart from suggesting I go into match or oast house floor production) gratefully received.

[sandbach-sticks]

I have burnt poplar no problem, having cut it into 10 inch lengths, and then split it, as soon as possible. The stuff i have burnt was left for 18 months, get plenty of air around it! If you can in the summer, take the covers off on those few really dry hot days we have. I have a box of oak and box of poplar, the oak is 20-25% moisture content and the poplar 35%, so it does need some seasoning I do think cutting it up getting it off the ground and air around it is the your answer.

[Peter]

Splitting into billets and stacking works really well. As above, air flow is crucial.

 

I don't know anyone who has trieed making charcoal with it, but I think you may be on to something there. Lime apparently makes excellent charcoal, so worth a go I'd say.

[davetaz]

As Peter says, split into billets is best option, stack and cover. I did some 2 years ago (over 30T) and was seasoned within 6 months.

Never tried charcoal though, think it will produce very light charcoal and will burn quite quickly

[chilli]

Poplar left in rings seems never to dry in the middle & the cambium stays wet & mushy even longer! But, get it split & stacked in a draughty shed & it'll be ready for next winter.

[geoff]

Didn't they used to make gun powder charcoal from pops....seem to remember that being so.

[corylus]

As I need to leave it in the woods, and dont want the faeries to go with it, I will have a go at billets 'cross-stacked' and covered and see what gives.

 

Bark on/off?

 

Thanks for the advice.

[skyhuck]

Didn't they used to make gun powder charcoal from pops....seem to remember that being so.

 

No thats Alder.

[geoff]

No thats Alder.

 

It's my age Huck,always getting in a mucking fuddle!

[eggsarascal]

It's my age Huck,always getting in a mucking fuddle!

 

I have the same problem geoff, dont half fell a cupid stunt at times:biggrin: