What makes this tree so bad from a burning standpoint? I got what I believe is a load of it from my tree service connection the other day. The growth rings seem tight for a "weed" tree, the face isn't "fuzzy" like a lot of softer woods get when it's cut and running your finger nail across the face seems like decent stuff. I know growth ring spacing doesn't always mean it's more dense but it usually seems to help. I can't find any btu info anywhere, anyone have a site that lists it? Here are some pictures of what I believe is a "tree of heaven"(or he!!). What does everyone think?
Yep, I think so. You should be able to tell right away by the smell. I didn't want to leave it in my yard long enough to find out how it burns. I could smell the stench through my whole yard. Luckily my buddy was looking for some campfire wood, so I hooked him up. Free delivery even!
The smell doesn't seem any more offensive than any other type of fresh wood. I'd say red oak smells worse than this stuff which doesn't bother me.
I had one in my yard a while ago. I had a tree service cut it down. The bark looked like your pic. I had them haul it off because of the bad rep that I had heard about it. Here is the wiki page. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailanthus_altissima
Splitting some right now so took a closer look. The wood has a lot of "air pockets" in the grain. I'm assuming this is what makes it season fast and burn fast. I'll keep some of it for the shoulder season the rest is making it's way down the road to a neighbor with an OWB.
I've burnt it. Have some for 2016/17. Not quite as good a silver maple. Didn't seem to smell and split easy.
I enjoy burning silver maple so if it's anything remotely close to that I'll be happy. Using a cat stove allows me to have decent luck with less than desirable wood types.
Looks like firewood to this guy, split it stack it get it dry and burn it. All these so called "species" I hear everyone talk about, I only know 3 species, well 1 specie and 2 varieties of it, my favorite variety of it is called free firewood, the other is bought firewood.
Good way to approach it. It's BTUs & be great for early shoulder this Fall, quick hot fire, take the chill off & done .
Some would say otherwise, but IMO, it's not bad firewood at all. It dries quickly but has limited btu's of course. Also, it doesn't coal at all & makes a lot of fine ash. I'd take more without hesitation, though.
I'm happy when I hear about one being cut down and being used for firewood. Low quality, suckering, invasive species in my book.
I had a big one cut down a month ago. It was encroaching on my oak trees. Super heavy when green. I wouldn't be surprised if it is over 100% moisture. The stink does go away pretty quick. Got a modest amount split. Most went into the chipper. Burnt it before. It isn't the best. A log or two isn't that bad but I wouldn't want an entire load. Not unless the next several loads are oak, locust and hickory.
