Growing firewood

[john87]

On 29/05/2014 at 12:01, Marko said:

To recap, we have been over the years planting our own firewood fuel for the future. We set off with a more traditional plantation of hazel, ash and oak coppice but since the problems with ash were not going to be abated, we added alder, birch, maple and, more controversially, sycamore and some SRC Willow hybrids. I am braced for the rock throwing but please remember that we are not planting woodland, we are planting energy crops.

 

I have been thinking about adding some Eucalyptus into the mix and sourced some seed from frost tolerant varieties. Even though I only sowed them this spring, I have had to plant them out as they are climbing out of their 2lt pots already (Omeo Gum) but all the other varieties are a bit more stable and will hopefully remain in pots until autumn.

 

After 8 seasons and for what it is worth, my non scientific thoughts in terms of productivity would be Alder, Birch and Syc are proving the best with the SRC Willow and Ash a close second.

 

Whilst this is even more difficult to quantify, the benefit to wildlife has been immeasurable and much more diverse than the most optimistic predictions.

 

I'm very pleased with progress but the trial goes on!

All very good, but you need to know what burns well and what does not, Willow for instance, is awful.. Here is a link to a place that sells firewood, interestingly though, in the section under "help and advice" they have a chart of different wood and what it burns like, You will all find this interesting!!

 

Different Types of Wood for Burning and their Characteristics - South Yorkshire Firewood

WWW.SOUTHYORKSHIREFIREWOOD.COM

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We would recommend burning one of the many hardwoods that are available in the UK on a wood burner or open fire -...

 

 

john..

Edited October 31, 2021 by john87
Missed a bit!!

[spandit]

2 minutes ago, john87 said:

All very good, but you need to know what burns well and what does not, Willow for instance, is awful..

Dry willow burns as well as any other dry wood. I find it dries quickly too - probably because the tubes full of water that make it up are larger diameter than, say, oak. Burns quite quick but certainly wouldn't dismiss it like that. I use it for cooking on. Haven't bought charcoal for years. Gives a nice flavour to the meat.

[john87]

2 minutes ago, spandit said:

Dry willow burns as well as any other dry wood. I find it dries quickly too - probably because the tubes full of water that make it up are larger diameter than, say, oak. Burns quite quick but certainly wouldn't dismiss it like that. I use it for cooking on. Haven't bought charcoal for years. Gives a nice flavour to the meat.

I have to say i have never tried myself, just been told it is awful.. Perhaps it is ok after all then?? Any idea what laurel is like or wood from leylandi type trees??

 

john..

[spandit]

2 minutes ago, john87 said:

I have to say i have never tried myself, just been told it is awful.. Perhaps it is ok after all then?? Any idea what laurel is like or wood from leylandii type trees??

Laurel is good - grows quick, quite dense, although there is cyanide to contend with.

Leylandii is also good, although I prefer to season it for 2 years otherwise it can be a bit resinous. It's fairly rot resistant too, so if the logs get wet whilst seasoning, they're generally OK.

 

Any wood will burn once dry, they just dry at different rates. That said, I wouldn't bother with horse chestnut again as it goes incredibly light and doesn't give you much return for the effort.

 

[nepia]

No cyanide in laurel once the wood's dry and the amount in it when green simply isn't an issue unless perhaps in a water course: I've cut and chipped loads and love the smell 🤪.  Good firewood.

I like Leyland too.

Willow when dry burns fast and with acrid smoke but gives decent heat

[Stubby]

49 minutes ago, john87 said:

I have to say i have never tried myself, just been told it is awful.. Perhaps it is ok after all then?? Any idea what laurel is like or wood from leylandi type trees??

 

john..

Burnt a lot of Willow last year . Burns good if a little fast . Poplar also is good contrary to other peoples opinion . And leylandii  is cracking fire wood .

[john87]

Thanks all!!!

 

So really, all wood is much the same when dry?? Will logs dry outside, or do they have to be in a building, or would a lorry sheet over them be ok or does this hinder the drying more than help??

 

john..

[spandit]

When you hang the washing out does it dry?

 

Like washing, logs need airflow and heat to dry, the former more than the latter, I think.

[Paul in the woods]

I've yet to find a dry firewood that doesn't burn. I agree with the others, once something is dry it'll burn. Woods that are light when dry will burn quicker than heavy woods as light woods will have more air and less actual wood (carbon) in them.

 

I can understand a log seller not wanting to sell willow but if it's free then season it and burn when ready.

[sime42]

I think it might all be a case of swings and roundabouts. Things like poplar, willow, Leylandi etc all burn rapidly so could be construed as not good firewood, but on the plus side they all grow rapidly and dry rapidly. All that said I'd rather have a nice solid stack of oak or ash, but beggars can't be choosers! Since I don't have to grow it, and have time and space to season it as required. It's a bit of an arse to have to keep reloading the fire with quick burning stuff, but that's mainly what I've been cutting down these last couple of years.