Newbie needs some help

[zh farms]

I just joined in here but have been reading for a while.

Just had a major wind storm blow through here this past Monday morning (90 mph, straight line winds for 25 minutes...no kidding), and we lost several cedar, hackberry, and one huge old walnut. Am just about ready to buy a Heatmor wood burner and was wondering if any of this wood is worth keeping to burn this season. I understand it will not be fully dried, but I have to start with something. Hate to throw it in the brush pile with the cut-offs and torch it later when I could be heating with it. I assume the hackberry would be ok, along with the walnut, but not sure on the red cedar. Thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

ZH

 

[stihl sawing]

The cedar will burn too, If that walnut tree is good size i would try to get that to the mill or somewhere. A big walnut is worth some good money.

 

[zh farms]

Unfortunately, there isn't much left of it to saw into anything other than stove logs. Pretty much exploded from the wind stress, and then hit the pavement of the county road in front of my house. I had to hack it apart to clear the road so vehicles could pass.

ZH

 

[stihl sawing]

Man thats a shame. The walnut will burn in your stove too. Ive burned walnut and cedar and they both do just fine. Don't know about the hackberry.

 

[KsWoodsMan]

If you get that Hackberry cut, split and stacked right away it probably will be ready this Winter. I put up 3 cords of it the first week of June. Tonight I lit some off to drive away mosquitos and commented on how well it seasoned stacked instead of piled.

The cedar doesnt make as many BTU's as hardwoods. If you are going to burn it I'd give it a full year.

The Walnut I would let season at least till 2010. It holds a lot of moisture.

 

[Andyshine77]

Walnut holds a good amount of moisture, but it's not very dense wood. It dries really fast when split.

zh farms. As long as you get everything split now, and stacked in the sun, it should be good to burn by this winter.

 

[ray benson]

Here is a chart on different woods for firewood. Your 3 are listed. Page down near the bottom.
http://zenstoves.net/Wood.htm

 

[pacman]

good site !

 

[Billy_Bob]

A lot of people are picky about the wood they get. Only certain types...

I on the other hand take anything. Therefore I get a lot of wood free that no one else wants. It burns and heats my house just fine!

As to creating creosote, wood like cedar will create a very hot fire and these hot fires seem to keep my chimney clean. Anyway I have a chimney cleaning brush and am not afraid of work, so I can clean my chimney as needed.

Also it is fun to have all this wood mixed together. Each fire is different. The various types of wood burn differently. Makes things interesting!

 

[mga]

A lot of people are picky about the wood they get. Only certain types...

I on the other hand take anything. Therefore I get a lot of wood free that no one else wants. It burns and heats my house just fine!

As to creating creosote, wood like cedar will create a very hot fire and these hot fires seem to keep my chimney clean. Anyway I have a chimney cleaning brush and am not afraid of work, so I can clean my chimney as needed.

Also it is fun to have all this wood mixed together. Each fire is different. The various types of wood burn differently. Makes things interesting!

i'm guilty of that.....i only take free wood. lol i refuse to pay for any wood other than with blood, sweat and tears.

if it's a tree and it's free...i burn it.

 

[blackdogon57]

Burning partially dry wood

Although fully dry wood will burn longer and smoke less you will have no problem burning wood cut now this winter in OWB. I use mostly wood waste (ends, punky logs, unsplitable pieces ,etc ) in mine and have no problems. You may burn more wood but its better than paying for oil or gas.

 

[zh farms]

Here is a chart on different woods for firewood. Your 3 are listed. Page down near the bottom.
http://zenstoves.net/Wood.htm

Thanks for the chart. Will have to have that laminated and throw it in the truck.

I appreciate all the help, and the info I am finding in this site. Quite valuable. I am sure I will have a lot more questions.

ZH

 

[Junkfxr]

I'm with Billybob and MGA. If it will sustain a flame, I burn it, even yellow pine. That's why I end up with so much free wood, the stuff nobody else wants. If you burn your stove right, creosote isn't a big problem,and if it is, that's why they make chimney brushes.

 

[314epw]

will it burn

I burn everything.Get yourself a cheap moisture meter and keep checking your wood Then all your questions will be answered!

 

[Wood Scrounge]

Free wood is the best firewood!