Hi all, I have been searching for how long it takes quaking aspen to season. I have found all kinds of fairly solid times for all the other types of trees on my lot but not aspen. Anyone have an idea? I am guessing its like 9 months to a year but any information would be appreciated.
Welcome Dead Cutter , I don't have Quaking Aspen here, but I would assume it's close to poplar. So it is probably is 12 +/- months. There are many others here much more qualified to comment on that tree than I. You'll get some info I'm sure.
Yep poplar, seasons pretty fast. Typically a year..... Off the ground, in a good open air location, top covered
Oh, and it burns better than I thought it would. Though it is a little smelly when cut and split, there is no smell whendry or burning.
On the contrary, we've burned it in way less than a year. If you can get it split and stacked right away, I would not be afraid to burn it in 6-8 months.
I’ve burned it in less time than that. Of course I’m down south though so that helps. If we have a hot summer, which we usually do, I can get poplar under 20% in probably 3-4 months
I cut down one large-tooth aspen/ white poplar and it took more than a year to season and I swear I could sit on the stove while it burned. Without cheek roasting. I cut, split and stacked it so I burned it all. But based on that one tree it was pretty crappy firewood. Still, better than nothing.
I think location probably affects this somewhat. Recall the post by one of the Alaskan fellas, he had a 5" chunk of poplar with 55+ rings, my chunk was 40+ rings, and someone else spoke up and said that would be a 15 year old tree where they live. I'm not saying I don't burn 1 year seasoned wood, but after a couple years it gets a nice brown tint and burns like nuclear fuel rod.
Welcome to the club, Dead Cutter! Thanks for joining up and posting. I think you're gonna like it here.
According to the drying chart Firewood BTU & Drying Chart Aspen, American (Poplar) Populus tremuloides lb per cord 2,210 mbtu's per cord (million)13.7 months to dry 12
It’s a great guide but honestly I think if we turned to our local area folks about species, this isn’t obsolete but rather misrepresented as climates and ecosystems are not taken in context so we are seeing that differential depends on where the tree grew at. Some are saying 12 months to 2 years while others 1/2 a year to a year. I have cedar that is burning wonderfully now. Cut in April, burning in December and now. Similar growth patterns.
All in good word. I tend to over analyze this sorta stuff so don’t listen in too much on that. But what I seem to pick up is even some woods should be ready when they are reported as “sizzly”.
Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it. I was worried about stacking up the aspen with the cotton wood I took out and now not so much since it will take about the same amount of time. We have long springs and falls here in Michigan so the low heat these give off will still help me out.
I have found it is well less than 20% moisture in 12 months stored off the ground in partly sunny location top covered. You will know when its dry, it becomes light as a feather. I also think it burns really hot and quick but is great for getting a fire started or burning down coals. I also like it for campfires since it burns hot with a lot of flames. I usually split it medium to smaller splits.
