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

Stinky poplar

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by MikeInMa, Feb 26, 2020.

  1. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    Does anyone else think the burning of poplar stinks? Not like black locust, but a close second, imo.

    Mrs MikeinMa comments about it. Haven't burned any until this week. I try to get a really good draft going before opening the stove door, but a little smoke seems to get out.

    I recall a real sour smell when css'ing. Now it carries over to burning.
     
  2. JPDavis

    JPDavis

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    Yes. It may also depend on where the poplar came from as well. Many poplar varieties here love to send roots towards septic systems, leech lines ect. That may also contribute to the smell.
     
  3. Horkn

    Horkn

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    I haven't burned poplar in a couple of years, but I do recall it isn't the most pleasant smelling wood to burn.

    I might be cutting some down soon, so I might be getting a refresher...
     
  4. jo191145

    jo191145

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    Is the bark still on it?
     
  5. Greenstick

    Greenstick

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    Not sure why but I haven't noticed the burn stench I hear talked about so much. All the "poplar" family cottonwood/poplar/willow I have CSS I've noticed the smell. When it comes to burn time though I just don't smell it. Not sure if its that I have really waited and have it dried to the point it can't smell any more, if I just am nose blind, or if our alkaline soil alters its ph enough while growing that once dry it kills the stink because there is residual alkali in it prohibiting further aroma?
     
  6. tamarack

    tamarack

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    I had a little bit of poplar in my stacks this winter. I only burned it mixed with other species, mostly pine and larch. Never seemed to smell funky to me. I don't like the way poplar/ cottonwood smells when it's being cut green
     
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  7. billb3

    billb3

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    fungi and bacteria in wood can cause some rather rotten smells too, even when not burning it
     
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  8. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    Yes. I'll see if I can get the bark off a few splits and see if there's a difference
     
  9. jo191145

    jo191145

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    I’m not sure if it’ll help but I’ve noticed while splitting the biggest odor seems to be that cambium layer under the bark. It’s also the part that holds water like a sponge. I prefer my tulip to shed the bark while splitting ;)
     
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  10. Midwinter

    Midwinter

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    Definitely stinky when wet, but I can't say I've noticed a bad odor when I've burned it.
     
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  11. JDU

    JDU

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    Don't think it smells that bad when burning. Ailanthus.....now that stinks !!
     
  12. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    Oh yeah!
    Poplar has an acrid smell when burning.

    And walnut in a campfire makes my eyes water and nose burn. Yuck!
     

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  13. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    I think it smells before it is dryed?

    Dropped a few poplars (aspen) when clearing for the garage and burned up the tops branches. That green stuff would have been the most recent "not nice" smell of it for me.
     
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  14. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    For sure most of the smell goes away once the wood has dried; at least the strongest odors.

    I have a hunch the poplar Mike speaks of is yellow poplar (tulip) which is much different from the poplar others are talking about.
     
  15. Biddleman

    Biddleman

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    Im not sure which type of poplar I have but yes it stinks. Not so much in the house. But at times I can smell it when Im outside.
     
  16. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    I popped the bark off several splits. The wood is bone dry, and the bark came right off.

    It burns nice. Crackles a bit, which we like.

    I noticed bug trails under the bark, which no doubt contributed to the tree's demise.

    IMG_20200227_092055411.jpg IMG_20200227_092024241.jpg IMG_20200227_092133311.jpg

    Maybe the pics will assist with identifying just what I have.

    Also, the tree was on property that does have a septic system in the area. Not sure how close this tree was to the leach field, however.
     
  17. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    splits look like ash, but bug trails dont resemble EAB that ive seen. No experience here burning poplar.
     
  18. jo191145

    jo191145

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    The last pic screams Catalpa at me. Doesn’t mean it is. I have a hard time telling white from red oak. LOL
     
  19. Biddleman

    Biddleman

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    Ive seen similar trails on ash. Well, I thought it was ash.
     
  20. jo191145

    jo191145

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    Leave it to Brad to memorize the bug trails. LOL