I have burnt a fair share of Willow in the OWB it doesn't last long but it does heat the water. I would burn it if I had it but would not go searching for it.
Excellent idea. I know just the spot. Now I know what to do with the dead sticks my sister stacked in the woods years ago and never came out
Willows..... on the road to home on opposite sides of the street, there used to be two MASSIVE willows that had branches drooped down so far they touched cars and made a mess for the power company when trimming to keep the lines clear. The road sits about 10-15 feet higher than the ground the trees sat on so you can imagine how high they had to grow to hang over the road. Now they have been cut just at their tree tops and the massive trunks just sit on their sides. It’s pretty obvious that the interest in willows is not widespread. Personally I’ve been told not to collect it. I agree, a bit too much work to cut it for the heat it will give but split it big if your burner allows. I don’t know if its more smelly but what we have as a version is smoky and hard to burn because its hard to dry it out well. Maybe does need to sit for the 3 years recommendations around here. Again whatever you deem worth it. Wouldn’t hurt to try some for shoulder season if you don’t come up with some in that year you burn it. Even for some, it’s all they have...
I wood not give willow a second of my time. I have a large one in my back yard. I’ve trimmed some large pieces off it (darn thing won’t die). Tried burning them in the pit after a while and found out what all the hype was about.
Cut some switches and send them to Seattle. Sounds like there's a few folks there that needed the application when growing up.
It's the one wood I will not process. It burns poorly, takes as long to dry as oak, but puts out like half the BTU's of oak. That and it splits fer chit. Oak splits easily, so there's that. Willow is heavy when green, so it's like oak in that regard a bit no other regards.
I think the difference in our opinions, may be due to our difference in climate. There is almost 0% humidity in Colorado. And though we do have our share of hard winters - we have more sunny days than any other state. So a green willow tree seasons in just a few months. I can split willow and burn it after just a few months of cutting it, green. When I burn it, it still has some substance to it.
I think the difference might be what is available in your area, if you have anything else available besides Willow it is not worth the effort
