Trees for firewood?

[Johno1]

I have 1/2 acre of wetland on the farm whick I am considering planting for firewood for my own use. I would anticipate that the firewood will be burnt both in a free standing and an insert stove.

 

The water table is high so I will have to dig a shallow drain to drain some water off the surface.

 

I have heard that there is a disease that could wipe out an Ash plantation.

 

What kind of tree could I plant?

 

Thank you.

 

Johno1 (Ireland, southwest)

[Daniël Bos]

Alder be good for firewood from wet.

[slack ma girdle]

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

[agg221]

I'd agree with alder, certainly over willow, but if you want a bit of variety you could try mixing in a few native softwoods - Scots Pine in particular, maybe larch, and work the alder as a coppice, letting the pine/larch grow through a few rotations so they're a good size.

 

Not sure if this will work, but would break up the visual appearance a bit.

 

Alec

[Johno1]

Thanks lads.

 

I had been told Ash would probably be best to start cutting in 10 to 12 years but given that there is a risk of the dieback disease. There is a lot of mature Ash growing on the hedgerows around the farm. It seems that this can form a "chain" for the disease to spread through the country side and to my small plantation.

 

Birch was next tree recommended followed by Larch.

 

I have just looked up on Alder. I have seen Alder a lot on the side of rivers & streams. Is it okay to grow on stagnant water? It looks like it could be a suitable tree.

[Farmer Tom]

Stagnant water is ok.

I have a load of Alder growing in a hedge in a dip between two fields,

and some more in an old flax dam. Don't get more stagnant than that.....

Really good firewood too, if a little on the light side.

[HCR]

Are there any regulatory constraints to draining wetland or converting permanent grassland to woodland in Ireland? Even if there are, 0.5 acres might not trigger anything anyway, but you may want to check.

 

That aside, alder will work for you.

[Johno1]

Are there any regulatory constraints to draining wetland or converting permanent grassland to woodland in Ireland? Even if there are, 0.5 acres might not trigger anything anyway, but you may want to check.

 

That aside, alder will work for you.

 

Not that I am aware of. I am defitinetely not going to go asking. Probably a tax on it.

 

It looks like Alder is the one to go with.

 

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder Alder

 

Alder be good for firewood from wet.

 

DEFFO! Will grow like stink in the wet and produces wood that dries quick and then burns hot and clean

[Lorn Logs]

Scots pine likes the wet (ish) but Alder's ideal! Dont know much about Ash biology but near me theres loads of it growing on a marshy headland near a salt water loch and it regularly gets soaked....