Which "trash tree" is your guilty pleasure for firewood?

My favorite "trash tree" is "pizz elm"- Chinese elm or hackberry. Both of them grow like weeds around here and nobody wants to mess with them. I can even get paid to clear them out of fencerows for the local farmers

 

Happy to burn sweetgum although the splitting isn't fun. I'm trying to eradicate the tree of heaven that is invading. If I cut it I burn it.

 

I love Hackberry. It's usually close to 25% of my stash of about 10-15 species. I think it burns just as good as cherry and ash except it's stringy to split. I've got them everywhere and many of them are huge. I usually put in a mix of hackberry and black locust and enjoy the BTU's at night.

 

probably red maple - it's quite prevalent in the swamps here especiallly if it displace(s /d) swamp cedar.

To me, a trash tree is something I wouldn't burn. I might not waste my time cutting down poplar unless I was putting togethr a mixed hardwood cord for $$$.

 

Willow and poplar here.. they burn quick, but make good filler pieces with other wood, and hold coals when used with a load of pine for shoulder season burning, so I can get a quick reload.

 

Yeah the whole "trash" tree sounds like id rather just haul whatever the bush is into a burn pile or the dump being free takes that kinda garbage. Unless its a great tree with size and potential its hard to find a bunch of branches feasible.

 

Well I'm sure some people would love red maple. However I'm surrounded by red and white oak, black locust, some ash and lots of other hardwoods.

 

Well what do you use for kindling now that you mention hardwoods?

 

The FDA probably considers all wood carcinogenic when burned.

 

Interesting. White fir is held in low regard here, too. I, however, rather like it. Readily available and dries fairly quickly. It won't keep well if not properly stored, but not bad if stacked on pallets and top covered. I will take it if there's no oak, doug fir or lodgepole available. I'm in the process of moving two cords of two year old into the wood shed right now. Have my eye on more along the highway a few miles from home, just as soon as I get that doug fir.

 

I heated my house this past season on 90% poplar. Last winter, I cleared a building lot for a guy at work. It was mostly poplar and a little bit of ash. I got paid and I took all the wood. Win for me!

 

I would have to agree! And just about everything that does burn emits carcinogenic smoke.

 

Sassafras was an ingredient in Root Beer. The roots of the sassafras tree were used in the brewing process.

 

I like poplar as well. It's quick drying and burns hot.

 

Speaking of box elder, on our walk this evening, I noticed two trees in an alley that are trimmed back and ready to fell that sure look like box elder.
Hmmm. With the bandsaw and lathe I have now...hmmmmmm.

Gonna have to keep my ears open for when I hear the chain saw running over there!

 

I always have the feeling when you guys say poplar I'm thinking of a completely different tree. I call tulip poplar just "poplar"...is that the same tree you guys are calling poplar?

 

Just wondered if it is really good for boards and stuff?

 

Maybe...you be the judge!

box elder wood bowl image - Google Search


I say yes.

 

I hear the same thing too, but they are different species. However they burn a lot alike. Very light when dry, feather sorta thing. I might have picked up tulip wood without realizing it. Some of this stuff i got looks like its been cored out.

 

Yeah I see a lot of bowls and whatnot. does the red stick around long or you gotta get it finished quick? That would just make an awesome "firebox" hope chest sorta thing hearing how easy it is to split.