Types of Trees That Make the Best Firewood
There are several types of woods that can make excellent firewood, depending on the environment in which they grow. Some regions are rich in hardwoods, while others are known for their softwoods. While thousands of species of trees exist, some have special characteristics that make them superior as firewood. Softwoods, for example, are easy to split and light. In addition, softwoods burn more quickly, requiring less firewood per load than hardwoods.
Elm
Chinese elm is a beautiful tree native to eastern Asia, but it doesn’t make the best firewood. It has a high BTU content and is easier to split than American or Siberian elm. Chinese elm is more commonly used for furniture, hardwood floors, and baseball bats, but it isn’t the best firewood. Moreover, Chinese elm is not suitable for firewood, as it can become brittle and rot easily if exposed to moisture.
The best time to burn elm is during the coldest season, when temperatures are at their lowest. This wood doesn’t produce sparks or much smoke. But it’s not the best type of firewood, with only a few exceptions. For home use, elm is acceptable, as it’s readily available and doesn’t cost as much as first-class wood. It also burns without producing excessive smoke.
When it comes to picking elm firewood, you need to be patient. The trees take a year or more to dry and are prone to Dutch elm disease. If you find a dead tree in your yard, don’t pick it up right away. You can wait up to two years for it to fully dry and be ready for the fireplace. Otherwise, you risk burning steam or smoke, and it won’t burn properly.
Birch
There are many reasons to choose a birch tree to make your firewood. The bark is smooth and shiny, and it burns cleanly. There are no sparks or smoke, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning it. It produces a pleasant aroma and has a high heat output. The best part about birch is that you can make firewood from a wide variety of species.
You can find birch wood in spring by gathering the bark. Simply cut the bark off around the stem with a knife and remove the papery covering. It will be about 1/16 of an inch thick. Birch bark is the most popular type of firewood in Edmonton because other kinds tend to spit. However, this material can be a bit messy to work with, so it’s best to choose a split birch log.
Although birch trees have a delicate bark, they are among the best firewood options. Birch wood burns hotter and requires less wood to release the same amount of energy. Compared to softwood, birch will cost more up front, but will save you money over time. Just make sure to watch a YouTube video before attempting to cut birch trees. Birch trees can become caught in other trees, so if you’re unsure of how to fell one, make sure you hire a friend with experience.
Ash
Many people are surprised to learn that Ash trees make the best firewood. This is due in large part to their low moisture content. The lower moisture content means less smoke and sap, but that doesn’t mean ash is completely smokeless. Even ash wood that’s fresh from the sawmill still produces some smoke, and that smoke can remain in the chimney for several days, which could lead to the formation of creosote. This sticky substance is flammable when very hot and can even ignite.
Whether or not an ash tree makes the best firewood depends on how it has been treated. While all ash wood burns well, the best kind is white ash. This type of wood burns at a higher temperature and produces less smoke than other kinds of wood. While it takes longer to season ash, it’s well worth the effort. Ash firewood also has the added benefit of being easy to store and transport.
Ash trees also make the best firewood because their wood is consistently light in color. Unlike other types of firewood, Ash wood has no visible rays on its end grain and a consistent light-white/brown color throughout. They also have bark that runs in large parallel ridges and are resistant to rotting and insect damage. And if you’re looking for the best firewood, look no further than the ash tree.
Hickory
If you’re looking for the most efficient wood to burn, look no further than Hickory. The densest tree in North America, hickory has a high heat output and burns cleanly. Its smoke flavoring is the best-smelling of any type of wood. This makes it a good choice for bonfires and barbecues. However, there are some things to consider before purchasing this wood.
A major benefit of hickory as a firewood is its high moisture content. Consequently, it produces a good amount of smoke and ash when burning. Its distinctive crackling sound makes it a favorite with campers and grillers. Hickory also produces the best scent for firewood. Depending on where you live, you can choose between hickory firewood in natural settings or purchased from a store.
When buying hickory, make sure that it has undergone a proper seasoning process. This can take up to a year. Aside from being dense, hickory wood is also easier to store than ash. Its leaves are similarly serrated and alternate. Regardless of where you purchase it, make sure to season it. Aim for about 20% moisture content. Otherwise, your firewood won’t be as efficient as it could be.
Douglas fir
The Douglas fir tree produces a nice and distinctive aroma. This wood also splits easily and produces a moderate amount of sparks. A cord of Douglas fir contains 26.5 million BTUs. It is a good choice for wood burning fireplaces. This species is also popular among Native Americans, who often used its branches to make tinctures. Douglas fir is easy to split and has a straight grain.
The medium-density wood that burns cleanly and has a good aroma is the best type for heating a room. Douglas fir is the best choice for firewood because it is easy to cut, burns slowly, and throws out a moderate amount of smoke. You can cut firewood using a 16-inch chainsaw. Regardless of the length of the chainsaw, you should always seasoned the wood before burning.
The Douglas fir has the highest BTU rating among the various types of firewood. It is the most popular type of firewood for the reasons stated above. It is also a good choice for cold climates because it retains heat well. Although it does not burn as efficiently as cedar and tulip poplar, its scent may be enough for those with sensitive senses. Another advantage of Douglas fir is that it does not need watering. Its high moisture content helps it to burn long and hot with a minimum of sparks.
Bur oak
When searching for a great wood to burn, bur oak is a solid choice. This woody tree has a distinctive crown and a large, round, and corky acorn. Bur oak trees are abundant throughout Eastern and Mid-Eastern parts of the United States. They also burn well, producing little smoke and are relatively inexpensive. Read on for more information on bur oak. Also known as the White Oak, bur oak is found in most of the United States, including Northern California and Oregon.
This hard wood burns well and has excellent coaling properties. Bur oak is part of the white oak family and shares many of the same characteristics as its cousin, the White Oak. It is also moderately priced and widely used for cabinetry. Because of its high BTU value, it makes for an excellent choice for firewood. However, not all oak makes good firewood. Listed below are a few examples of the best firewood for your needs.
When selecting Bur Oak for burning, look for the acorns. Bur oak leaves are green on top and fuzzy on the bottom. The acorns are half-covered in bristle-tipped lobes and are quite recognizable. If you’re not sure which tree is best for burning, consider the shape of the leaves. Acorns from a Bur oak tree are larger than those from Northern Red Oak trees and are less than half an inch in diameter.
Chestnut oak
The American chestnut is the most commonly available wood that can be used to make fire. Its high BTU content and easy splitting characteristics make it a popular wood for fireplaces and stoves. Its flames are remarkably easy to control and produce high heat. As the name implies, this kind of firewood is very popular in Europe and North America. While it’s not the best option for a fire, it’s still a suitable choice.
Cherry wood is popular for fireplaces because of its nonsmoky smell and ease of splitting. Cherry is an excellent wood for a fireplace, but is more expensive than average. Chestnut oak, on the other hand, burns slowly and produces a good flame. As chestnut oak doesn’t contain tyloses, it dries faster than other kinds of White Oak. It can also be used for campfires and holiday parties.
The chestnut oak has deep taproots that allow it to access moisture. The deep roots bring the moisture up to the topsoil, benefiting both the tree and the plants growing on the forest floor. It doesn’t grow very tall, however; a ten-year-old sapling will reach around five meters. The sexual maturity of a chestnut oak tree occurs at around 20 years of age. This is the time when the chestnut oak will produce its highest yield of seed. Then, during its lifetime, it will produce a moderate crop every year or two.
