Can you burn standing dead tree's ???

[Wood Doctor]

Oak lasts almost forever if standing dead--up to ten years or more. Last year I cut down three standing dead burr oaks on a friend's property and burned it all. Even the rather punky stuff burned hot. These trees were standing dead in the woods for as long as my friend could remember.

Red elm is another good wood that resists rot off the ground for a long time. Soft maple and birch are about the only common hardwoods I know that dry rot and are practically worthless after about 3 years standing dead. Perhaps as a forum we could make a list of quick dry rotters to avoid. There may not be very many.

 

[Mike PA]

It can really depend on how long the tree has been dead. If the bark is still on but there is rot beneath it, it will need to dry. I've had the best luck with standing oaks that have lost their bark. As long as it hasn't rained recently, they tend to be dry. The bark will hold a lot of moisture in, especially if it is coming off some places and not others. If it is wet, it can still be burned, as it is not as wet as live wood. Split it and let it sit for a month and it will dry.