Wood Question

[MichaelBikel]

So I have come to the realization that I want to expand upon my knowledge of firewood harvesting, splitting, storage and usage techniques.

I have found a website that seems somewhat decent to get me started in the right direction.

Is there anyone here seasoned in this (no pun intended)?

Also the main reason for this post is I am curious as to what species of tree this came from...

IMG_1424 by thebikerguy88, on Flickr
IMG_1423 by thebikerguy88, on Flickr
IMG_1425 by thebikerguy88, on Flickr
IMG_1426 by thebikerguy88, on Flickr

 

[Showkey]

It's pine........Not the best firewood, low BTU value, fast burning, high in pitch and creosote.
It's fine for camp fires......but.......If you use it for a camp fire don't cook your hot dogs over pine.

 

[jdl25]

That is a pine tree log. Unfortunately not a firewood tree.

 

[Rossco]

Meh. Not firewood? Only good for fire pits, don't cook hotdogs over pine? ha ha ha. What do you think the majority of people West of the Rockies burn?

Yeah I go through 4 cord a year no worries. Mainly Larch and Fir but also pine, spruce and Poplar. I only burn dead kill Snag wood which is the key. Below 20% MC is needed.

First thing you should buy is a moisture meter. Vary from $20 - $50, good investment.

I use Blaze King baby.

I guarantee you more people will be warm this year burning pine vs people who burn (Season for a minimum 3 year) hardwood like Oak.

Join Hearth.com ... it's a Stella site for wood burning. You will see me posting in the BK thread.

 

[dutchgray]

That above
You can burn pretty much any wood in a log fire if you season it properly.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

Firewood species depends where you are from. Our camp in northern Ontario burns mostly Pine and other softwoods because that is what is abundant. Down in Southern Ontario there is dead standing ash everywhere from the emerald ash borer which is what we burn at home.

 

[MichaelBikel]

Thanks guys, i'm in Connecticut and whenever I see a tree removal I usually try to grab a peice or two. I had a feeling it was pine, but I was unsure as to what species of pine, as I have never seen this type of bark.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have three piles of firewood... New... Last Years cut... and USE THESE. I just use what I cut in a fire pit and only use what falls or I get free. If it's more than 8 inches thick... i split it...

3 varieties. Scrub pine, chestnut oak and pin oak. I seldom get cedar drop off...

 

[theoldwizard1]

General rule of thumb, "seasoned" fire wood is at least 1 year old. Better if it is 1 year after being cut and split.

If you are heating your house with wood, you can mix some pine with other "hardwoods", probably no more than 25%. The more pine you burn, the more often you should clean your chimney.

 

[gdocktor3]

Thanks guys, i'm in Connecticut and whenever I see a tree removal I usually try to grab a peice or two. I had a feeling it was pine, but I was unsure as to what species of pine, as I have never seen this type of bark.

I also live in CT, but don't burn pine unless it's outside. Lewis Tree Service does so much work around here if you find a state road they're working on you can gather up enough hard wood to burn all season. They generally try to leave as much wood behind as possible so they don't have to make trips dumping the chips. I gather wood as I find it throughout the summer/fall, let it sit, then split it in the spring while it's still cool out. Then start burning it as soon as it gets chilly. Whether it sits 6 months or a year, as long as it's hard wood I'll burn it.

I also stop when I see small tree companies doing jobs and ask if I can take the wood. They also try to leave as much wood as possible to save on trips dumping the chips. They're usually more than happy to leave small 6-8" diameter stuff in 4 or 5' lengths off to the side, while they take the 10" and up logs to split and sell themselves.

 

[DeaconSteve]

While I am not a chef, I do think that the smoke from a pine tree will affect the taste of food which is why hickory is the best choice (in my area) for cooking bbq.

 

[zak77]

If you want to learn about splitting wood give me a few months and you can swing by my house and split all you want!!! I may even let you stack some also. Scavenging wood can save you a lot of money.

I like to keep enough wood for 2 years. I burn about 7 cords a year so i get 4' rounds and cut those in half and split as necessary. Let that season 2 years and burn it.

Only time i've heard of people using pine is smoking "black forest ham"

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are splitting by hand (maul and wedges) the best time of year is in the dead of winter when the temps have been in the teens for a few days. The wood will be frozen solid and really POP when you hit it with a maul !

 

[homebuilt burner]

If you want to learn about splitting wood give me a few months and you can swing by my house and split all you want!!! I may even let you stack some also.

^^^^^^^^^^
This is an EXCELLENT opportunity. The best way to learn is to do.

 

[pstnbly]

That looks like white spruce to me. As others have said it is a softwood and not really good for indoor burning in the east. It would also need to be well seasoned to hand split, the knots are no fun.

 

[VWingman]

Don't burn it! It will give you hairy palms or make you go blind! Kidding of course, I heated my house for almost 2 years with pine. It was seasoned and my chimney was no dirty than any of the other seasoned wood I burned.
Pick up a Fiskars X-27, split, stack, season, burn, repeat and join the Hearth.com. You will be alright.