I've burned both. They burn just fine. I don't have much hickory around here, but black locust is here-n-there. I have some BL in my stacks. No hickory. So, BL got my vote.
This one's easy. The absolute best firewood there is. Shagbark hickory is the clear and obvious winner. Higher BTU's, and better smelling when burnt than BL. I understand that many don't have Shagbark hickory in their area. Don't let that alter the outcome of this poll. I burn both as they are both in my area. Locust is easier to find, that's for sure. This is mostly due to BL being an invasive tree and will grow anywhere. Hickory needs an older growth forest.
BL is good. Very good, but hickory is just a lot better. When it's- 20° outside, the Shagbark firewood is the stuff I'm looking for.
You'll always find more BL than shag. So hopefully that doesn't influence the poll. It's not a popularity contest, it's what is a better firewood.
sirbuildalot , both of these btu ratings are way low for BL and Shag. That said, shag is higher btu than BL. Also, if you were going to put these two in a bracket, you do them at different sides of the bracket.
I grabbed a couple tossed in truck loads of shagbark hickory 3-4 years ago. Whichever it was, 3 or 4 years, its ready to burn now and I've got to say..... Dang it.........I walked away from about 10 more pick-up loads of it. I didn't run the risk of hauling it since it was from deep behind the cheddar curtain in the fox river valley. You know..... transporting firewood across state lines and all that...... That being said, I vote for the shagbark hickory and agree with his viewpoint of the smell of it while being burnt.....GREAT!
I voted for Black Locust, because I have processed a lot of it this year. I am worried about the 2 year seasoning, though as I might need to burn it before then. But I will try to leave it alone for a while. I do have some dead Red Oak, and Pin Oak I can pull from first. I broke the tie at this point, 15 to 16 right now.
I went with shag, it’s the hottest/best burning wood I’ve ever burnt. With that said I haven’t burnt BL yet. I have some ready for this year so I’ll see. BL has a lot going for it, no bugs or rot is a big deal but until I feel the heat I have to go with shag.
