Battle of the firewoods-Shagbark Hickory vs Black Locust

Due to some anxious members we will have 2 new battle contestants emerge each day. Remember each contestant is only being judged against one other wood at a time. Then the semi finals will begin when round 1 winners are determined by the votes with polls open for one week for each matchup. Today’s contestants are two heavy hitting mega heaters. Shagbark Hickory comes in at 25.3 MBTU and 24 months seasoning time. It’s opponent the immensely popular Black Locust comes in at 23.2 MBTU (although many will argue it should be higher), and also 24 months seasoning time. Now.... I want a clean fight.....let’s get it on!!!

 

Tough choice between these 2. I voted BL because i can get/have plenty. The downside of hickory is that if left on the ground it will go south pretty quick. I love the smell of both when burning.

 

Definitely can’t go wrong with either. I predict one of these two will make the finals.

 

Everyone who votes make sure to submit your vote which is located directly below the thread title

 

Sorry for jumping the gun. I won’t rain on your parade anymore. This is a cool idea and it’s nice to hear why people vote one over the other so thank you for doing this!

 

Had a boat load of BL a few years back and i found it dried more like Oak in the 3 year plan. Just saying.

 

I just got my first load of Black Locust. Probably will check the moisture content next year and see where it is at. Hickory has been an amazing performer for me in the past. Throws heat comparable to the gates of hell. Biggest downfalls are the bark is tough on chains and can make a mess, and bugs like it. Also can be a little stringy when splitting.

 

I have a ton of Shagbark Hickory so that’s what I voted for. It’s hard on the chainsaw, it doesn’t grow straight and it’s has a ton of branches. I only cut enough for the really cold nights. I think Ash is my all time favorite wood, I have a ton of it and it’s easy to process..

 

Hickory for me as I have more of it than BL. Can't go wrong with either one.

 

Went with Shagbark. Have burned way more of it and cooked with it. Really liked the BL and HL I have burned.
Two very worthy opponents IMHO

 

Black Locust because the BTU and seasoning time are almost the same, but BL lasts forever and usually is easier to split.

 

I went with the hickory cause I don't have much experience with the BL

 

You'll never guess which one i voted for???

 

Believe it or not, both are scarce scrounges for me. The recent storms (Isaias & tornado) have produced more available to me. Hickory is tough to split and im affected by "locust mania" so....

 

Stop it Bradley!!! No coercing the members

 

I voted Shagbark Hickory because I can use it in my Oklahoma Joe's smoker!!

 

Black locust won’t rot in the stacks or get eaten alive.

 

I have not burned either. I’m out of this one.

 

Dad gum! Never seen with of these trees either!