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

Ranking wood

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by MHL68, Feb 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM.

  1. MHL68

    MHL68

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    I found this on another site and was wondering your opinions. Maybe someone else has already seen this and brought it here for discussion...well I'm new here so give me a break. :D

    Quality of firewood

    VERY GOOD
    Ash - Beech - Hawthorn

    GOOD
    Apple - Cherry - Lilac - Maple - Oak - Pear - Plum - Locust

    Fair
    Birch - Elm - Walnut

    POOR
    Alder - Chestnut - Poplar - Bass

    Thoughts???
     
  2. RCBS

    RCBS

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    We all have our favorites.
     
  3. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    I'll echo the sentiment that the question is something akin to "what's the best color car to own?"
    I love burning oak and black locust, but I also like having "trash" wood on hand in smaller quantities for various reasons, like drying time, ease of lighting, or hot/fast combustion. The "poor quality" firewood species are oftentimes excellent for burning down hardwood coal beds that would otherwise have to be shoveled out more frequently. In that application they're "excellent" firewood. What I want to know is who in North America is burning chestnut in any quantity? :whistle:
     
  4. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

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    It's all subjective and personal opinion on "the best firewood".
     
  5. Chud

    Chud

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    Burning Poplar and fungus farms right now and I’m warm.
     
  6. theburtman

    theburtman

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    I take whatever I can get and use it all in the appropriate situation for its characteristics.
     
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  7. MHL68

    MHL68

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    Alright then...seems like a stupid question.
     
  8. Warner

    Warner

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    Who burns lilac for heat?
     
  9. theburtman

    theburtman

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    I have. I cut back some very old bushes and kept the stuff that was big enough to bother with. Very dense.
     
  10. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    Nah, just a very nuanced answer :)
     
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  11. Chud

    Chud

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    Not at all! Worst case scenario is you sparked a little Friday night participation while we wait for warmer days. I wouldn’t turn down a truck load of Ash. :thumbs:
     
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  12. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

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    I wouldn't turn it down either but i think I'd rank locust above ash and oak above it too.

    Edit: hard to believe hickory isn't listed anywhere.
     
  13. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

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    Were you looking for an answer like this?

    Breaks are not given, they're earned. ;):whistle::rofl: :lol:
     
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  14. billb3

    billb3

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    seasoned - good
    unseasoned - not so good
     
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  15. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Meh, any wood that is in your stacks, split, dry, ready to burn is good firewood.
    It all has its place.
    I would not want to only have oak (for example) in inventory
    If I could only have one species in inventory, I suppose it would be ash...or maybe maple...
     
  16. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Considering black birch fair firewood discredits the entire list IMO.
     
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  17. ole

    ole

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    There is no way in hell this 30 year wood burner would rank elm and oak lower than ash.

    no freaking way
     
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  18. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    I think you're right and we all misunderstood the intent of the OP's post. Yes these rankings are bogus, regardless of personal preference.
     
  19. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    A bit generic IMO. Black birch is excellent firewood, whereas white and river birch are poor.

    Locust either of the black or honey varieties are excellent as well.

    Of course we're going by btu's here and everyone's opinion will vary based on experience and personal preference.

    Of course THE BEST firewood is DRY firewood regardless of its BTU rating.
     
  20. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    X2

    Too bad decent ash is becoming a scarce commodity on these parts. Years back someone did a survey asking if there was a single wood to have in your stacks and ash won by a landslide.