Rhododendron

[sdt7618]

Has any body any experiance burning Rhod's. our local park's dept dropped one with about an 18' dia main trunk. needless to say I took what ever I could get. Seems to have dried pretty quik given the cracks all over the rounds. so whats the verdict?

 

[The Lorax]

Once seasoned rhodo burns hot and long.
Is it cut and split? you need to dry it for about a year.
My mum cuts one year and burns the next.
Round here it's noxious, and it stops other trees from germinating under it.

 

[mga]

Has any body any experiance burning Rhod's. our local park's dept dropped one with about an 18' dia main trunk. needless to say I took what ever I could get. Seems to have dried pretty quik given the cracks all over the rounds. so whats the verdict?

man...how old was that thing??

 

[Kate Butler]

Rhodies in this country rarely get that big - but in the UK, it's a whole other story: they have rhododendron eradication programs and the spectacularly beautiful shrubs (in the US) get unimaginably HUGE - becoming actual trees.

 

[mga]

Rhodies in this country rarely get that big - but in the UK, it's a whole other story: they have rhododendron eradication programs and the spectacularly beautiful shrubs (in the US) get unimaginably HUGE - becoming actual trees.

why the big difference in growth?

 

[Kate Butler]

I'm guessing, but I would think a combination of perfect weather for them, the antiquity of human habitation (originally planting them for their beauty), and their ability to reproduce; crowding out their competition.

 

[Adkpk]

18'

That's a typo. He says he from England not Land of the Lost. 18"s is what he must of meant.

But ya, Rhodo is great firewood.

 

[mga]

That's a typo. He says he from England not Land of the Lost. 18"s is what he must of meant.

But ya, Rhodo is great firewood.

lol..yea...i kinda figured it was 18 inches.

just never seen one that big, let alone him saying they grow rampant like that.

 

[The Lorax]

Rhodo's are native to Nepal, when they were introduced to Europe they found the damp, mild climate with warm summers to be very good for growth.
Unfortunately they have proved very very difficult to eradicate.
I have seen some pretty big ones here but usually in places that have had infestations for a long time.
The best way to kill them is to drill holes in the trunk with a cordless drill and fill the hole with weedkiller/roundup.

 

[sdt7618]

Cheers guys,,

yup did get the size wrong, should have given it in cm's as we're metric, but most here use feet and inchs..

Anyway it is cut to circa 2 feet lenths (60cm's) not split yet, but lots of crack lines etc, been lying in my wood pile to split for about 2 months now so given that it will most likle be used early next year it would be ok I guess going by the comments.

The old gardener that cut is recon's it was about 40 feet high, no idea if thats big for the species or not, but don't think I can ever remember seeing one that big.

 

[sdt7618]

Well hit the rhodo, in the wood pile and it does burn nice and hot... haven't tried it over night yet, but will let you all know.

 

[Darl Bundren]

Rhodo's are native to Nepal, when they were introduced to Europe they found the damp, mild climate with warm summers to be very good for growth.
Unfortunately they have proved very very difficult to eradicate.
I have seen some pretty big ones here but usually in places that have had infestations for a long time.
The best way to kill them is to drill holes in the trunk with a cordless drill and fill the hole with weedkiller/roundup.

There are also indigenous species of rhododendron in the US. I'm not sure if what we have is the same plant being discussed here, though.