"The Best Firewood in the World"

I live in Hawaii - so you would wonder why I need firewood for my wood stove. The reason is - I live at elevation. And while it doesn't get cold by most of your standards here, 50 degrees in an uninsulated house is not comfortable.

I have new access to some Ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia). It is probably unfamiliar to most or you since it is not frost tolerant.

Googling it - I came up with many sites claiming it is the "Best Firewood in the World" - for various reasons. One site even commented that it can be burned "green off the stump, like Ash." And it leaves a clean white ash. India apparently plants large stands of it, just for use as firewood.

You can Google it if interested. But I'm asking here if anyone can add any info? Especially the part about being able to burn it green???

 

In Ohio I have heard people call beech trees "ironwood". Seems like a hornbeam or beech would be the same or very similar.

 

No pics yet - the trees are still alive and standing - but after reading about this wood I'm thinking of working a deal with the guy who is clear cutting a bunch. Instead of me driving multiple trips with my little truck and trailer (at 2 hours each time), and hand loading for free, I may offer to help him with the cost of cutting and hauling it away - as he needs to do so anyway. It sure would be worth it to have a large truck just back in and dump it here.

But I would feel better about having a huge pile of wood that I had never burned before - if someone here had some more credible, or firsthand experience/knowledge.

Merry Christmas back at ya.

 

Welcome to the club, Konakid!

I don't have any experience with iron wood, but I do with ash. The myth about cutting ash today and burning it tomorrow is just that, a myth.

Live standing wood is full of water no matter the species and will only burn as fast as the moisture can be removed.
If you throw it on a hot fire it will appear to burn. If your going to try to start a fire with it, you'll struggle to get it going and be disappointed with the heat output.

Get your wood cut split and stacked (c/s/s)
ASAP and let it dry

 

I doubt there's any tree you can burn green from the stump.

If you google "casuarina firewood" there are a few articles. Not sure how many are trustworthy.

 

Any wood you can get for free is great firewood!
In Australia we call casuarina a she oak tree. It only grows up north in the tropics so I haven't had the chance to burn it in a stove, but I would have burned it many times in a campfire.

I recommend that you get as much as you can and split and stack and season for a few years it will be great.

Merry Christmas.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Is this what you are talking about? I know I've seen 'em much bigger than this. Looks like it'll take a little time to dry out. Can't you just heat your house with hot lava from a local volcano? Merry Christmas and welcome to the forum!!!! You're probably our new southernmost member in the Northern Hemisphere...

 

Upon further review, I do believe that you also beat out bogydave to become our new western most member in the Western Hemisphere.

 

Around here, Iron wood is a tree in a fence row with iron in it!
Kool, a member from Hawaii, welcome to our fort.
…and Merry Christmas to all.

 

Thanks for all the info.

And yes, the pic above is what is known as Ironwood in Hawaii. And they can get quite large. Common name I guess is "Australian Pine." And there are a few other species of Casuarina - but probably similar in characteristics.

 

First of all, welcome to FHC.

And Merry Christmas!

That said, I think you are mistaking the wood known as ironwood here in North America as "the best firewood in the world", as the same as your ironwood. Casuarina equisetifolia, is different than the "ironwood" we have also known as american hop hornbeam or Carpinus caroliniana.

Now, I don't know how good your ironwood is, but the ironwood we have is great firewood, a deciduous hardwood that is extremely dense, which is why it's a great firewood.

 

Thanks - and a very Merry Christmas to you as well.

I'm sure there are many types of Ironwood, in different locations. And many "Best firewoods" as well.

But as far as Casuarinas - most are from Australia. Below is a quote in an article from some Government Agency called USAID. ( http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNAAL288.pdf ) I guess there are 50 species of Casuarina growing from desert to high rainfall, and tropical to temperate areas.

"The Casuarinas produce high quality fuelwood and charcoal and the wood is easily split and has a low ash content. Casuarina wood burns with great heat and has been called,"the best firewood in the world." It burns readily, even when green, and makes exceptionally fine charcoal. The wood is very dense, but it splits and warps and is not useful for lumber or furniture."

Sounds too good to be true for Firewood Hoarders.

 

Welcome aboard konakid

I haven't been to Hawaii for a few decades; I think about going back every now and then.....(rambling)

So just what temp do you have today?

 

Welcome konakid - You're gonna like it here, I guarantee it...I'm seeing a time share in our future

Seriously, get some C/S/S and photo the event-if you've lurked around before signing up you know we like pics, dogs and beer-Nice to meet ya

 

Welcome konakid what are you burning it in... an open fire place or wood stove? if fireplace.. I think you could get away with green... I have seen this tree in Australia.. northern territory.. a long time ago.. just remember it being heavy for what I thought was a junk tree... I ask because I have no idea where 1 would buy a stove or insert in your state.. I imagine at 50 a fireplace would keep you warm enough .. as in Australia it's fireplaces so that's why I think they say OK to burn fresh cut
of course you will get more heat from it if dry..

Merry Christmas

 

Welcome konakid. Cant wait to see some pictures. What elevation do you live at? Ive heard that theres some skiing occasionally on your big volcano so no doubt you can get some cool weather.