what is the best tree to grow for firewood

The best-known trees for firewood are red and white oak trees. Wood from oak trees is costly due to its density and strength. The density makes this type of firewood one of the best at heat production.

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What is wood species makes the best firewood?

The Best Firewood for Your Wood Stove or Fireplace

• Hardwood Firewood. Hardwoods such as maple, oak, ash, birch, and most fruit trees are the best burning woods that will give you a hotter and longer burn time.
• Softwood Firewood. Softwood is the cheapest type of wood you can buy. ...
• Comparing Firewood by Heat Energy. ...
• Make Sure Your Wood Is Dry. ...
• Woods to Avoid. ...
• Wood Burning Safety Tips. ...

Which is the best wood to use for firewood?

The Best Wood To Use As Firewood

1. Hickory. Hickory is good for so many things, and it is especially good as firewood. ...
2. Oak (White) Oak is also one of the most preferred firewoods and is widely available across Northern America And Europe.
3. Apple. ...
4. Ash (White) Ash is excellent to use as firewood in any situation. ...
5. Sugar Maple. ...

More items...

Are sweet gum trees good for firewood?

Sweet gum will make excellent firewood as it is capable of producing large amounts of heat, as long as you are willing to put in the extra work. That being said, most people view sweet gum wood as a luxury that should be used for lumber and furniture production.

Is a locust tree good firewood?

Locust trees can be used as firewood because it burns cleanly with little to no smoke or sparks when burned correctly. It’s also good for cooking over an open flame. Even though locust wood is dense and burns well, it will burn fast because of its high sap content.

What is the fastest tree to grow for firewood?

The Usain Bolt of trees – willow is the quickest tree out of the blocks! Incredible high yield biomass growth in just 4 years. Let's look at the pros first – easy to grow, cheap planting stock, very fast growing, excellent yield and good form. You can produce log scale willow in just 4 years.

What type of tree makes the best firewood?

The best-known firewoods are white and red oak trees. The wood from these oak trees is prized for its strength and density, and that density makes it one of the best at producing heat.

What is the most profitable tree to grow?

Best Species when Growing Trees for ProfitDogwood. Dogwood is a type of flowering tree that is popular for homeowners. ... Japanese Maple. Japanese Maple is another tree that is popular in home landscaping projects. ... Bonsai Trees. ... Elm. ... Almond Trees. ... Avocado Trees. ... Willow. ... Shrub Trees.More items...•

What wood produces the most heat?

The basic rule for home heating: The higher the heat value of the wood, the more efficiently it will warm your home. According to fireplace, hearth, and chimney supplier Northline Express, sugar maple, ash, red oak, beech, birch, hickory, pecan and apple are among the hardwoods with the highest heat values.

What trees should not be used for firewood?

Evergreen trees are softwoods, so avoid buying firewood that comes from pines, firs or cypress trees. Freshly cut or unseasoned wood. Wood that has just been cut from the tree is still loaded with natural moisture. This makes the wood more difficult to burn.

What woods are not good for firewood?

Efficiency: The efficiency of your wood stove can depend significantly on the type of wood you are burning. Softwoods and resinous (oily) woods may burn inefficiently. For this reason, pine, eucalyptus, birch, aspen, and a few other species do not make the best logs for a wood burning stove.

Do tree farms make money?

Planting forests on your property is an excellent long-term investment. It will take years for the trees to grow, often 25 years or more, but the profits are enormous, and they don't take much day-to-day work. Many farmers use this method to set themselves up for retirement or legacy purposes.

What kind of trees are used to make money?

The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is a plant that has many legends and beliefs originating from China. Although there are many tales and stories as to its beginnings, the most common story is that a truck driver in Taiwan had decided to braid the trunks of five small trees in a single pot.

Can I make money growing trees?

A new report has found that money actually does grow on trees. Businesses are making money from planting trees and growing sales as rapidly as 10 times per year. Many investors don't know what restoration is or realize the extent of its potential.

What firewood burns the longest?

HickoryHickory Burns The Longest Hickory is the densest of our hardwood list, burns hotter than oak and maple, and burns the longest on this list. You can start a fire with hickory, get a nice bed of coals going, and let it burn through the night.

What is the cleanest burning firewood?

When hardwoods are burned in good conditions for a fire, they produce very little smoke or unhealthy particulate matter. A few examples of the most popular hardwoods for fires are white oak, ash, birch, red oak, hard maple, beech, hickory, pecan, dogwood, apple, and almond.

What wood smells best when burning?

Some of the best slow-burning and fragrant wood for your fireplace include:Pine.Red Oak.Sycamore.White Ash.White Elm.White Oak.Yellow Birch.Yew.More items...

What wood smells best when burning?

Some of the best slow-burning and fragrant wood for your fireplace include:Pine.Red Oak.Sycamore.White Ash.White Elm.White Oak.Yellow Birch.Yew.More items...

What wood burns with least smoke?

Firewoods That Produce The Least Amount of SmokeAsh. Ash firewood is a great all-around firewood, produces almost no smoke, puts off a moderate amount of heat, and is a quick seasoning wood. ... Oak. ... Maple. ... Applewood. ... Beech. ... Black Locust. ... Hickory. ... Black Walnut.More items...

Which is better firewood hickory or oak?

Hickory. Hickory firewood is one of the best woods for burning. Hickory is even hotter burning than oak, maple and other popular hardwoods. Hickory is a dense hardwood that can be tough to split, but holds little moisture and burns very well.

What trees are toxic to burn?

Burning poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac and poisonwood creates smoke with irritant oils that can cause severe breathing problems and eye irritation.

What kind of tree grows fast in the cold?

Green Ash. Then, you have green ash. It is another suitable tree that can grow quickly in various kinds of soils throughout the country. The green ash tree is capable of tolerating extreme cold, and it also grows pretty fast, going as high as 60 feet.

Why is firewood so cheap?

Firewood is relatively inexpensive in most places, mainly because providers make use of fast-growing trees. Whenever trees are cut and the firewood is chopped, these companies plant other fast-growing trees, which quickly grow. Most companies don’t even have to cut the tree all the way down; they just leave the stump out, ...

Why is the black locust tree so popular?

The black locust is distinguished because of its straight trunk, and it also grows very quickly, which is one of the reasons why so many people prefer it for producing firewood. The black locust tree is able to tolerate an extensive range of soil conditions, and it also grows quite easily.

What type of soil does a catalpa tree need?

The catalpa tree is commonly grown in well-drained and moist soils, though it is capable of tolerating a range of different soil conditions.

What is a poplar tree?

Poplar trees are incredibly common and are generally grown for firewood. Populus is actually a family of trees which also include the aspen and the cottonwood tree.

How fast does a weedy tree grow?

The seed pods generally resemble long beans, and they usually appear after the tree gives off a few flowers during the springtime. This tree grows at a rapid pace, reaching heights of up to 70 feet.

Can you plant a tree stump in its place?

Whenever a tree is cut down for firewood, another can be planted in its place. The stump can be left behind, and it will quickly regrow for the next year. Humans have been using firewood in this manner for thousands of years, and it’s still one of the best choices.

What wood is best for a fire?

Ash is one of the best woods to use in a fire because it produces a long-lasting flame that puts out a lot of heat. Ash can even burn effectively if its moist or damp, making this a good choice when it comes to a fire.

What wood is good to burn?

If you’re looking for another really good wood to burn, you’ll want to get black locust. It burns slowly and produces a lot of heat as well as a long-lasting bed of coals that can keep adding warmth to any space.

What is seasoned wood?

Seasoning Firewood. Well-seasoned firewood is wood that has had the vast majority of moisture removed from it. If you see the wood steaming or hear hissing or popping as the wood burns, then there’s still a lot of moisture in it. In general, well-seasoned firewood has darkened ends and visible spits and cracks.

What woods burn the best?

Hickory is one of the best woods you can find for burning. It holds very little moisture, which means it burns for a long time and puts out a lot of heat. Often, it burns hotter than maple, oak or other popular hardwoods.

Is poplar a good wood?

Poplar isn’t very dense, so it burns really fast, but it puts out a lot of heat. It can be a good choice when making fires early or late in the season when the temperatures are moderate. It can also be a good wood to mix in with other quality hardwoods to make a fire.

Can you put sycamore on fire?

As long as sycamore is completely dried out before you add it to your fire, it can be a great firewood option. Even when it’s properly dried, it has a tendency to burn quickly, but it puts out a lot of heat.

Is cherry wood good for firewood?

Cherry is a great choice for firewood when it’s in season. It has a long-lasting flame that gets incredibly hot. However, if cherry isn’t in season, it doesn’t make good firewood because it produces a lot of smoke and has high sap output.

Which trees produce the best firewood?

White ash, sugar maple and birch trees also produce excellent firewood, albeit not quite as good as oak and hickory. But all three have their advantages:

What type of trees are used for firewood?

Coniferous Trees in General. As a general rule, most coniferous or “softwood” trees—the types of trees that have needles rather than leaves—are not well-suited for use as firewood. As their “softwood” nickname implies, coniferous trees usually have softer, less-dense wood than deciduous trees, which have leaves, ...

What is the best wood for burning?

White ash, sugar maple and birch trees also produce excellent firewood, albeit not quite as good as oak and hickory. But all three have their advantages: 1 Sugar maple has a good reputation for burning with few sparks and less smoke than what’s produced by other woods. 2 White ash weighs less than most other types of quality firewood and is easier to split into burnable logs. 3 The bark of many mature birch trees is quite flammable, making it good for easily starting fires.

What is the best firewood?

The best-known firewoods are white and red oak trees. The wood from these oak trees is prized for its strength and density, and that density makes it one of the best at producing heat.

Where can I find black locust trees?

The species has a fairly limited range, growing in just a handful of states through the Appalachian Mountains and into Missouri and Arkansas, but it produces a strong, dense wood famous for making fence posts. Not surprisingly, the same density and durability that makes black locust good for fence posts also makes it among the best firewood trees.

Which is better, a deciduous or a willow tree?

Some deciduous trees also don’t make good firewood. Aspen, basswood and willow trees all have very soft wood of generally poor quality for burning and producing heat. That said, this wood is a little better than that of most coniferous trees because it doesn’t spark as much.

Can you use pine wood as firewood?

Just as some types of wood aren’t suitable for making some products (it’s not a good idea to make a cutting board, for example, from softwoods such as pine or fir), some types of wood aren’t suitable for use as firewood. However, with so many different types of wood, learning which trees make good firewood can be a time-consuming ...

What is the best tree for firewood?

In some regions, you have an abundant supply of what’s called hardwood. In other areas, you’ll have a greater supply of softwoods.

What trees did I grow up with?

Where I grew up, there were plenty of trees. There were pines, oaks, hickory, red and silver maples and cedars. I learned to be a steward of the land and not just a consumer. This meant replanting of trees when you’ve harvested for wood.

What does it mean when a firewood flue is hot?

Which in turn makes a hot flue and a hot flue means much less creosote build up and more energy produced. If you purchase your firewood, you want to be sure the wood you’re buying has been seasoned for at least a year and stored in a way which keeps the moisture from soaking back in every time it rains.

What is the moisture content of cured wood?

It’s always important to remember the ideal moisture content of cured wood is below 20 percent in your split firewood. Some people use a moisture meter to know when the right moisture level is reached. Wood that has not been seasoned for at least a year is often difficult to light and may keep going out.

What percentage of wood should be cured for split firewood?

It’s always important to remember the ideal moisture content of cured wood is below 20 percent in your split firewood.

How long does a coal fire last?

This way you have an easy-to-start fire which will continue to produce a long lasting heat and bed of coals for many hours. Depending on the efficiency of your wood burner and how much air you allow to get to the fire, you can have a bed of coals for a couple of days. Some Like it Hot!

Does it matter what kind of wood you burn in a wood burner?

Some people say it doesn’t matter what kind of wood you burn in a wood burner as long as it is seasoned properly. While properly seasoned firewood is a huge factor in how wood performs, there are other factors to consider.

How do legumes get their nitrogen?

These trees (and in this family are included all the acacias, or wattles) provide their own nitrogen by means of nodulating rhizobium bacteria in their root system. Eventually, some of this nitrogen is made available to other plants in the vicinity.

How much firewood do eucalyptus produce?

Eucalypts can, depending on the particular species, as well as climatic conditions, reach six or seven metres in only six years, and contribute 20 to 25 tonnes of firewood per hectare each year.

Why do eucalypts grow so vigorously?

The new shoots grow vigorously because they are served by roots that fed the former much larger tree. Cutting young trees generally results in a number of new stems from the remaining stump. Eucalypts will coppice many times before they have to be removed and replaced.

How much do eucalypt seeds cost?

Seeds are cheap - a kilogram of eucalypt seeds may cost a couple of hundred dollars if bought, but that's enough for a million trees or more - more than will be needed for personal firewood needs! Thirty to fifty grams of seeds should be sufficient. Acacia seeds are much larger, with fewer per kilogram, but are much, much cheaper. The seeds can be planted directly into the prepared ground after necessary preparation to ensure germination, or young tree seedlings can be raised in nurseries and planted out later on. Plantings at the rate of about 2500 trees per hectare - about two by two metres - will provide a healthy sized plantation. Certainly establishing the young trees direct from seed rather than using established trees from a nursery has much merit, even accounting for some loss, merely be cause of the saving. Seeds can be purchased from native-seed suppliers, or from forestry offices, or can be collected locally.

Which trees can burn at a steady rate?

Eucalypts, casuarinas and acacias all have woods that are compact and heavy, and can be made to burn at a steady rate. Of the eucalypts, those that should be placed near the top of the list would include Eucalyptus globulus, E. grandis (although this species is affected by fire, and does not have the usual lignotuber from which it may regenerate), E. fastigata, E. carnaldulensis, E. saligna, E. obliqua, E. nitens, and perhaps E. muelleriana. These species are all fast growing trees, with high yields; all need reasonable rainfall.

What do young trees need to survive?

The young trees will need protection from domestic animals and from wildlife that will find the shoots attractive. The trees will also need to be protected from fires, and here proper safeguards, such as reducing competition from long grass and establishing firebreaks around the perimeter of the plantation, will pay off.

How much wood does Australia use?

The typical household in Australia uses between one and three tonnes of wood each year, but this amount of course depends on the climate, and whether or not a house is properly insulated; insulation alone can mean the difference each year of at least a tonne or more of firewood.

What is the fastest growing trees for firewood?

For each of the below trees I have compiled all the data you’d need to make the best decision. You’ll be able to create your very own self-sustaining forest of trees based on the fastest growing species I know of grown in the USA.

Why grow your own firewood?

Growing your own firewood can reduce fuel bills and make yourself independent of fuel companies when you take it to the extreme.

What wood is best for a fire?

It burns quickly, throws off some smoke and doesn't produce much heat, making it ideal for a warmer-season fire. Campers often turn to poplar for a fire that doesn't need to last long. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) produces longer-burning wood than poplar or willow and takes only 4 years of growth before harvesting.

What are some examples of hardwood trees?

Hardwood trees are easily identified as those that lose their leaves in the winter. Oak (Quercus), hickory (Carya) and ash (Fraxinus) are examples of hardwood trees and, because the wood is dense, they take longer to grow. Most softwood trees have needles, and include pine (Pinus), spruce (Picea) and fir (Abies).

What is a poplar tree?

Poplar trees (Populus) are a family of fast-growing trees that include the cottonwood and aspen tree. They have broad silvery leaves and grow quickly from seeds and cuttings. They also form thickets as new trees are produced from the spreading shallow roots. Some poplar varieties to grow for firewood that are recommended by the Michigan State University Extension are "Carolina," "Robusta" and "Raverdeaux." Some poplars can grow as high as 100 feet.

How tall does a black locust tree grow?

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) grows to 50 feet high throughout the United States. It has a straight trunk and undergoes rapid growth, making it a suitable tree for firewood production. The black locust tree is tolerant of a wide range of soil and growing conditions. It sprouts readily from the stump as well as from the roots, and has the ability to form dense thickets if not managed properly.

Where is the thornless honeylocust native to?

The thornless honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is native to North America. It's stronger-wooded than other trees grown for firewood and is longer-lived. The thornless honeylocust is fast-growing, with an eventual height of 75 feet. It has small leaves that allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy so grass and other plants can thrive underneath. The thornless honeylocust tree is adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions and soils throughout the United States, including extreme cold and heat.

Is poplar a firewood?

Demystifying Poplar and Eucalyptus as Firewood. An anomaly in the classification of trees is the poplar (Populus). While it has the leaf-dropping characteristics of a hardwood, it soaks up moisture and is difficult to dry, likening it to a softwood.

Is green ash good for landscaping?

It spreads readily from the large amount of seed produced in the fall. While most fast-growing trees are poor candidates for landscaping, the green ash is suitable for landscapes.

What type of tree is in Vancouver?

Oak. One of the most common types of trees is the oak; you’ll find it throughout the Vancouver area. Although they aren’t one of the tallest trees in your neighborhood, they can still get quite massive if well taken care of throughout the years. Oak is a very dense hardwood tree, so it will burn for a very long time.

What is the difference between softwood and deciduous trees?

As the softwood name implies, they tend to have much softer, less dense wood than deciduous trees, meaning they provide less fuel for the fire and don’t produce as much heat. They also create a buildup of creosote while they burn, which becomes a fire hazard over time.

What is a birch tree?

Birch. Birch trees are known for their unique bark, with several different species available. They are a softer wood, which means that they are easier to split and faster to burn. They make perfect fire-starters because they will burn very quickly.

Can you burn wood in a fireplace?

But to create a real wood fire , you’ll need wood to burn in the fireplace. Yes, you can go to the store and invest in a bundle of wood.

Does birch burn hot?

However, it doesn’t burn as hot as its oak and maple counterparts. It burns at a medium heat, which makes it desirable on milder evenings when you’re looking at a fire more for ambiance rather than for its heat. Birch. Birch trees are known for their unique bark, with several different species available.

Does oak burn?

Oak is a very dense hardwood tree, so it will burn for a very long time. Getting it started can be the tricky part, though. Because oak is a dense wood, it requires continuous high heat to get it started burning and to keep it burning well.

Does maple smoke?

Maple also produces very little smoke, which is a bonus when burning a fire in your home. Cherry. As a fruit tree, this hardwood also produces relatively little smoke. And when burning, it will produce an aroma that can be very pleasant. However, it doesn’t burn as hot as its oak and maple counterparts.

What trees are good for short rotation?

Have a go with willow, poplar and eucalyptus – I really do think you’ll be very pleasantly surprised not only by their yields and quality of the firewood but also by the savings you’ll make against bought in firewood. The other key thing to remember about short rotation trees is that this land use change is reversible. Any tree that has a rotation less than 20 years is not classified as forestry. So, if you change your mind in the years ahead you can restore the land to agriculture.

Which wood is the quickest to dry?

Willow is probably the quickest drying wood. Period! “It’s light, burns quickly, doesn’t produce much heat and has a poor flame” – Again the first half of these points are correct to some extent. It is light – the looseness of wood fibre is the reason it dries so quickly.

Why are log trees so dense?

They are fantastic trees but they have dense wood for a reason – because they are slow growing. If you continue to buy in logs, you will almost certainly be aware of the rise in prices in recent months and years.