Experiences of eucalyptus

[Farmerdowling]

A kindly chap dropped a load of eucalyptus off for free today! Obviously I'm looking forward to the job of splitting it but have heard that it takes up to 2 years to be ready. Anyone know much about it?

[Mountain man]

I burn it, I would never use an axe though, tractor splitter only.

Burns nice in my woodburner, 2 years to season after splitting? Not unusual

[s.varty]

A kindly chap dropped a load of eucalyptus off for free today! Obviously I'm looking forward to the job of splitting it but have heard that it takes up to 2 years to be ready. Anyone know much about it?

 

Split it while its green, can be a right sod to split when seasoned

[scbk]

Eucalyptus is the only tree my log splitter has been unable to do anything with.

Fortunately there's not much of it round here!

 

 

Good luck!!

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

There's been a thread on this (or maybe it was embedded in another thread about firewood, can't remember)

 

Just from my own horrible, sweaty, cursing, never to be repeated experience.......

 

Whilst it burns up lovely when seasoned, I wouldn't touch the bloody stuff even if someone gave it to me for free, in fact, I'd go so far as to say if a 'friend' wanted to give me Euc, I'd immediately and irrevocably remove them from my Christmas card list!

 

The last batch I did had a twist and curve which meant it just wouldn't split by axe, hydraulic, wedge, smashing it against a wall, driving over it!

 

The only glimmer of hope I could offer, if it is straight grained and not cut in too thick rings, and it is recently rather than long time ago cut - don't let it season before splitting, it'll turn to reenforced concrete - it'll make decent firewood but the effort required will make me run a mile next time!

 

Good luck!

[Farmerdowling]

I burn it, I would never use an axe though, tractor splitter only.

Burns nice in my woodburner, 2 years to season after splitting? Not unusual

 

I've only got the axe but enjoyed some exercise earlier - I will finish tomorrow!

[Stubby]

I've only got the axe but enjoyed some exercise earlier - I will finish tomorrow!

 

Well done . I leave mine to season in big lumps so people dont steal it . It is tough to split but my hydraulic 20T splitter does do the job . Oh and dont burn it on an open fire or you will need a new carpet !

[fen01]

I've some sp. Split easily, but others a nightmare. All burns well though one is dry. I have quite a few bits I've give up on though that just sit on the bonfire slowly burning through.

[Two Acres]

I've burnt some - fantastic stuff.

 

If its too hard to spit you could always chainsaw it into stove sized rings - easier with the branches

[Farmerdowling]

Well done . I leave mine to season in big lumps so people dont steal it

 

After lugging the bigger logs around today I can see how that would work