In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Battle of the firewoods-American Elm vs Red Gum

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by sirbuildalot, Oct 12, 2020.

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American Elm vs Red Gum

Poll closed Oct 19, 2020.

  1. American Elm

    16 vote(s)
    84.2%

  2. Red Gum

    3 vote(s)
    15.8%
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  1. sirbuildalot

    sirbuildalot

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    Its a long holiday weekend, therefore a second daily battle for one more "weekend" day!!!

    Todays second battle will feature two tough guys. American Elm, and Red Gum. They may be tough to split, but they're really good on the inside. Lets give them a chance.

    First up we have American Elm. Coming in at 18.4 MBTU, and 18 months seasoning time. His opponent, Red Gum comes in at also 18.4 MBTU, but slightly less drying time at 12 months. This one could be a tough split decision!!!

    Lets get it on!!!
     
    sirbuildalot, Oct 12, 2020
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  2. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I’m abstaining from this one. :zip:
     
    The Wood Wolverine, Oct 12, 2020
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  3. JCMC

    JCMC

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    Got to go with the AE as I have never burned RG.
     
    JCMC, Oct 12, 2020
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  4. farmer steve

    farmer steve

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    X2.
     
    farmer steve, Oct 12, 2020
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  5. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    Never had any gum so I’ll go with the elm. Although the drying time seems pretty optimistic.
     
    Sandhillbilly, Oct 12, 2020
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  6. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    I think thats an understatement. What are the odds one on these makes the finals? I went with elm as i did scrounge some fresh cut green roadside once and it split straight and true as i think it was frozen. Had a piece of gum (not the chewing kind) a year ago and very stringy.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2020
    buZZsaw BRAD, Oct 12, 2020
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  7. jrider

    jrider

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    I've never even heard of red gum. Black gum and sweet gum yes but not red...
     
    jrider, Oct 12, 2020
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  8. Horkn

    Horkn

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    I've never dealt with gum. I like American Elm though.

    I cut it when it's already dead standing and it's ready to burn pretty much right away.
     
    Horkn, Oct 12, 2020
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  9. Lastmohecken

    Lastmohecken

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    No vote for me, as I don't burn any of either.
     
    Lastmohecken, Oct 12, 2020
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  10. sirbuildalot

    sirbuildalot

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    Poor gum
     
    sirbuildalot, Oct 12, 2020
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  11. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Gum vs Willow. I wouldn't doubt if nobody votes on either of those.
     
    Horkn, Oct 12, 2020
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  12. JCMC

    JCMC

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    I'd vote for Gum because I have burned Willow
     
    JCMC, Oct 12, 2020
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  13. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    I like elm for burning... splitting is interesting sometimes...never had gum that I know of...
     
    brenndatomu, Oct 12, 2020
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  14. amateur cutter

    amateur cutter

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    American Elm for me. Not much Gum around here. The bit of it I've seen I'd throw back in the woods. Nasty stuff.
     
    amateur cutter, Oct 12, 2020
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  15. Fire mike

    Fire mike

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    Elm for me no gum by me
     
    Fire mike, Oct 12, 2020
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  16. patrick kozlowski

    patrick kozlowski Guest

    ive burnt gum only a handful of times the stuff was sooooo syringy iI bogged down my 28 ton splitter but the stuff i managed to split it burned hotter than heck in my ussc hotblast furnace
     
    patrick kozlowski, Oct 13, 2020
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  17. leoht

    leoht

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    Murray River Red Gum is widely considered the firewood of choice down here. Canadian border VT has had some experience with Aussie Red Gum, he may be able to give a good comparison. It’s very hard to split but well worth it.

    A58002B3-3146-4BE1-BC07-9DBFDC2E18C9.jpeg 8B797DA7-4D91-49F3-BF04-6FE23F71F1FC.jpeg 89526CD7-603B-4975-B495-DEC91785C6D2.jpeg 3F0A0BE5-717C-4646-93C7-6DACEDC26BC4.jpeg
    I love this beautiful wood.
     
    leoht, Oct 13, 2020
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  18. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    buZZsaw BRAD, Oct 13, 2020
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  19. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

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    Only red gum I’ve seen is the Aussie red gum. Guys this stuff is dense. It doesn’t rot and termites don’t eat it. It splits a lot like splitting boulders with a sledge and wedge. Made for hydraulic splitter IMO.

    Really hard to judge BTUs but it’s got to be mid to high 20s over sugar less than hip hop. Hard to judge heat adequately by wood because of different building practices in Australia But I think it is a beautiful wood and there’s a bar in Melbourne by the horse race track and it was red gum and it would be a sweet kitchen table
     
    Canadian border VT, Oct 13, 2020
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  20. sirbuildalot

    sirbuildalot

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    Leoht, theres a shootout at the OK corral and Red Gum is being outgunned. Round up some Aussies to vote and help get him back in the fight!!!
     
    sirbuildalot, Oct 13, 2020
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