I have a stack of Siberian Elm that has seasoned 2 years. It smelled like Puke (or something else unmentionable) when I split it green, so I was hesitant to burn it. Well, it's what I have left to burn for these not so often spring burns, so I took the plunge. I did notice, after peeling off the loose bark, that there is a Black ashy substance between the wood and bark. It's really weird, and I simply just brush it off. It really is like Black coal ash. Well anyhow, It's a pretty good burner. Decent heat and a fair smell. I certainly won't shun it if I come across it in the future.
Siberian Elm... first time on a burn.
- Thread starter Dale
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aaronmach1
ArboristSite Operative
ahhh yes, the poop smell.
Well no, but....... :msp_biggrin:
I like it much better if I find it standing dead with the bark already off. No mess under the bark then and the bark itself produces alot of ash. The wood itself is some how better when aged this way, seems denser and burns better. Siberian that was cut/split green and then seasoned seems less dense and very porous. I've heard that if you must cut it green to leave it in rounds (off the ground) for a good year before you split it - it will split easier and burn more like standing dead. (also seems to apply to other elms as well). (have not tested this theory yet)
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Steve NW WI
Unwanted Riff Raff.
For a fella without much to say, you spend an awful lot of time saying it.
Back on topic, that smell - smells like cow poop to me - is Ma Nature's reminder to season wood before you burn it. Trust me when I say you don't want to be downwind of a green Siberian Elm brushpile when it's burning.
ShaneLogs
Addicted to ArboristSite
Haha, sorry Steve. Can someone explain to me why this wood smells like poop when you burn it ? I have never heard of such a thing before.
Neither have I. Elm burns fine and that includes Siberian. Most people make fun of elm only because they can't split the stuff green. Let it dry six months and then split it.
Steve NW WI
Unwanted Riff Raff.
It's a very aromatic tree, kinda like red oak or pine. Just that it's aroma isn't very nostril friendly.
Once it's dry, as others have mentioned, you don't notice it. Much like red oak in that regard.
Once it's dry, as others have mentioned, you don't notice it. Much like red oak in that regard.
Shucks, red oak makes good BBQ Cookin' wood. Smoked meat turns out great smoked with oak in cookers, expecially when slightly green. Many restaurants use it exclusively.
Around here we call it piss elm. as said not the most pleasing aroma, way better than boxelder burnwise though. a power splitter with a thin wedge slices right through. real slimy under bark when green. best to strip bark asap then it will dry in one season.
I've cut and burned Siberian Elm.
It's not a tree I would target for my firewood... but I wouldn't toss it in the brush pile with the Box Elder either. I see, or find it in fence-lines, along edges of woodlots and such. Standing-dead and bark-less it's difficult to distinguish from American Elm until you learn the subtle differences in structure... so I've probably burned more of it than I think I have. "White" elm get its own stacks in my world, I'm guessin' I've mixed Siberian with American many times without really knowing it. The stuff I know was Siberian Elm didn't burn as well, or have the same heat output as the stuff I know was American Elm... but it ain't all that far off.
Cutting "green" Siberian Elm is something I'd just-as-soon avoid... stuff stinks, gums up the saw, plugs the clutch cover, is way too wet and heavy (hard work) for the BTU's it provides later. Splitting "green" Siberian Elm is a lesson in frustration... between the stringiness and sliminess... No thank you, I'll pass. I don't think it smells different than American Elm when burning, just a stronger version of the same smell. We had a huge Siberian Elm in the front yard when I moved in this place (around 3 ft DBH) that died from DED within a couple years. I got tired of picking up all the branches and twigs and finally took it down after it had been standing-dead for two years. Damn thing was still green, even the upper branches, and I don't believe I've ever worked so hard for 3 cords of firewood in my life... and then all the bark released while it was in the stacks and left a huge mess to clean-up.
Anymore, if I have to cut "green" elm of any sort to make a fall zone, I'll buck it to length and stack or pile the rounds in the woodlot... and leave 'em there for a year. When I go back the next year to split, the bark will fall off in sheets (still have the slime though) so I leave the mess in the woodlot... and I stack the stuff downwind from the house. White elm should be cut when standing-dead and bark-less... easy work, clean work, and (mostly) ready to burn... otherwise it's hardly worth the frustration.
It's not a tree I would target for my firewood... but I wouldn't toss it in the brush pile with the Box Elder either. I see, or find it in fence-lines, along edges of woodlots and such. Standing-dead and bark-less it's difficult to distinguish from American Elm until you learn the subtle differences in structure... so I've probably burned more of it than I think I have. "White" elm get its own stacks in my world, I'm guessin' I've mixed Siberian with American many times without really knowing it. The stuff I know was Siberian Elm didn't burn as well, or have the same heat output as the stuff I know was American Elm... but it ain't all that far off.
Cutting "green" Siberian Elm is something I'd just-as-soon avoid... stuff stinks, gums up the saw, plugs the clutch cover, is way too wet and heavy (hard work) for the BTU's it provides later. Splitting "green" Siberian Elm is a lesson in frustration... between the stringiness and sliminess... No thank you, I'll pass. I don't think it smells different than American Elm when burning, just a stronger version of the same smell. We had a huge Siberian Elm in the front yard when I moved in this place (around 3 ft DBH) that died from DED within a couple years. I got tired of picking up all the branches and twigs and finally took it down after it had been standing-dead for two years. Damn thing was still green, even the upper branches, and I don't believe I've ever worked so hard for 3 cords of firewood in my life... and then all the bark released while it was in the stacks and left a huge mess to clean-up.
Anymore, if I have to cut "green" elm of any sort to make a fall zone, I'll buck it to length and stack or pile the rounds in the woodlot... and leave 'em there for a year. When I go back the next year to split, the bark will fall off in sheets (still have the slime though) so I leave the mess in the woodlot... and I stack the stuff downwind from the house. White elm should be cut when standing-dead and bark-less... easy work, clean work, and (mostly) ready to burn... otherwise it's hardly worth the frustration.
