I like them as far as I think they're a good looking tree, they don't really take over like sumac and box elder either. As far as burning goes, I know I've burned it before but don't have any negative or positive thoughts that jump out at me...I used to think all wood was the same until this site gave me a wood education.
I mean chemically wood is all the same, I thought initially that wood has different features and that was about it. Knowing some burned hotter than others. The more I learned about specific species, the more I wanted such varieties. We're in the right place.
Actually sometimes the term "hotter" really does not mean what people think. For example, I can get just as hot of a fire out of ash as I can with oak. For that matter, I can get that hot of a fire with popple. The difference really boils down to how long that hot fire lasts. Geeze, cottonwood also gives a good hot fire. Also, some wood flares up quicker than others giving it the name of "hotter" wood.
bocefus78 you have never experienced the thrill of cottonwood until you've been talked into painting a hay wagon. That wagon has been sitting outdoors for years so it takes lots and lots of paint. Well, I was young and it was hot so I just parked the wagon under that great shade tree... Great results as it matched out school colors when finished; red and white.
Stove hit 700 degrees no problem last fall burning Cottonwood, a couple hours and it cools right down though
Heh I thank you for fixing it Dennis, I agree with giving off more heat in terms of time. But Ive found some woods to burn ok but they give off lousy heat, lack of oils that give off volatile mix. Others just sustain a good burn without issues. You ought to realize we appreciate your knowledge how this changes our perspective. Any wood will burn, but getting the best out of your wood is key. I just find my gathering for wood that burns well is paying off and my respect for hardwoods has indeed increased. They will make a difference no doubt in my mind. I never claimed to be snobby about wood but when you burn enough of it of a kind of tree, you get to know it each time. Mainly cottonwood is there at my bottom since it doesnt last all that well. Maybe because when we collect the beach wood and burn it in the pit not far from the beach, we collect wood that has salt in it and other crap. Then it smells more. Not all of this wood dries completely since the wood burner is Large so we keep the logs large too. You can put an 18 inch wide by 48 inch log split in there and its happy. Often I do more than that since I love the heat. I gotta get back out there to show you pictures. This thing is big enough to heat an Olympic pool.
You have like 50 maples surrounding your yard. But no signs of cottonwood beyond the fence? Love the pup.
