Firewood. What are the Best woods?

RWS · Feb 2, 2011

most common thing cut for firewood around here is red oak, post oak, black jack, and hickory. but we like dead elm (pronounced hereabouts- "ell-um") burns very hot (but fast) and burns almost completely up, leaves very little ash.

and burn at least mostly dead (seasoned) wood. burn to much green wood and you'll burn your house down.

criticalbass · Feb 2, 2011

If you burn cedar, make darn sure it is dry. By that, I mean cut a long time ago and also dry in the moisture sense. That stuff will pop and throw coals to the middle of the living room unless it is really well screened or shielded. Ask me how I know.

I have a source of hickory and white oak. Both are nice. I also bring some mesquite home from southwest OK, and that stuff is great. CB

dennishoddy · Feb 2, 2011

Oak, hackberry, black walnut and locust trees for our fireplace.

vvvvvvv · Feb 2, 2011

What I usually get is Locust, Bodark, and Oak simply because I have easy access to it.

I've got some Cedar available, but those are a last resort simply because of the creosote buildup they leave. When I actually bought firewood last year, I got some "seasoned" Cedar. Within a couple of days of burning the Cedar, I had a thick greasy film of creosote coating the inside of my stove. When I took the flue out to brush it clean, there was a thicker build up than I had ever seen in it before.

Mulberry also burns long and hot, but it's like watching a fireworks show when you throw one of those in the fire.

Buzzdraw · Feb 2, 2011

Pines and cedar are oily, thus will produce creosote to coat your chimney. If the creosote lights off, you will have a chimney fire. A creosote fire burns very hot. Sounds like a freight train inside your house.

The high heat produced by a chimney fire can crack chimney liners and cause other damage. Cracks are a source for flame to get into your attic. Yep, house fire is a real potential.

A good way to fight a chimney fire is to discharge a dry chemical extinguisher at your hearth, then shut the flue. Water poured down the chimney from the roof has a good chance of cracking the chimney liner, so its not a first choice.

It is best to avoid burning pines and cedar in a home fireplace all together.

Sdane · Feb 2, 2011

Blackjack burns hot and burns for a long time. The problem is that it is so freaking hard to cut.

beast1989 · Feb 9, 2011

i dont have a fireplace so im not sure why im reading this lol

Blinocac200sx · Feb 9, 2011

I want a fireplace.

Sooner67 · Feb 10, 2011

For a hot fire Osage orange is the best and it will last longer that any other wood setting outside for a long period of time.We still have hedge posts in Kansas that were put in back in the late 40s by my dad..

Hoosierhunter · Feb 10, 2011

Lots of good choices mentioned already.
I just cut what trees have fallen in woods.
As long as it's not rotting.
Mostly hardwood up here.

Firewood. What are the Best woods?

RWS

Sharpshooter

criticalbass

Sharpshooter

dennishoddy

Sharpshooter

vvvvvvv

Sharpshooter

Buzzdraw

Sharpshooter

Sdane

Sharpshooter

beast1989

Sharpshooter

Blinocac200sx

Sharpshooter

Sooner67

Sharpshooter

Hoosierhunter

Marksman

Similar threads

Latest posts

Firewood. What are the Best woods?

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Marksman

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!