btu,s Loblolly Pine?

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Silenced38

Feeling the Heat
Apr 11, 2014
293
Southeast Oklahoma
Im trying to find the btus per cord of Loblolly Pine. I think it is also called yellow pine but not sure. The only thing i found said 22 million. But thats hard to believe since red oak only has 24m. Trying to decide if its worth my time.
 
I found this.
Table 1. Fuel Woods and Their Characteristics


SOUTHERN PINE (Shortleaf, Loblolly)

Heating Value: Density: Comments:

Heating Value:

Heating Value: Density: Comments:

1 cord = 22.0 million BTU’s* 1 cord = 2,936 pounds Easy to split, few sparks, heavy smoke, easy to burn, poor coaling qualities
 
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Its from this paper.
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service NREM-9440

page1image608

Firewood: How to Obtain, Measure, Season, and Burn
 
Pine is a dense softwood but seems a stretch that any pine yields 22 mBTU. I think that's skewed on the high side. Everybody else reports mid teens.
 
Pine is a dense softwood but seems a stretch that any pine yields 22 mBTU. I think that's skewed on the high side. Everybody else reports mid teens.
Thats what i think. But it is the densest of the pine family. That paper is the only one i can find that actually list loblolly pine. None of the rest even show it.
 
If you have loblolly, buck it, split it, dry it and and burn it.
 
Thats what i think. But it is the densest of the pine family. That paper is the only one i can find that actually list loblolly pine. None of the rest even show it.

Pinon pine is probably the most dense of the pines.
 
Pine is a dense softwood but seems a stretch that any pine yields 22 mBTU. I think that's skewed on the high side. Everybody else reports mid teens.


Pinion pine puts out 26-27 million BTU/cord.
 
BTU charts are all over the place anyways. If that loblolly is easy to scrounge then I would go for it. Pine is nice to mix with hardwoods or as primary during shoulder season or all year depending where you live.
 
So then its Possible. See i didnt think any pine was that high.

Indeed, Pinion grows in high desert climates at an extremely slow rate. Very high density, high BTU wood with a fantastic aroma while it burns.
 
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Im just trying to learn which woods are worth my time and effort. I have access to so much free wood that anything less than 22 mbtu per cord just isnt worth it. The only advantage is it dries quick. And i need some thatll be ready for next year. After that i have tons of oak and hickory
 
There is more that determines the overall quality of various kinds of wood for heating than just the BTU ratings.
 
There is more that determines the overall quality of various kinds of wood for heating than just the BTU ratings.
you are correct and pls dont get me wrong. if i have to cut a tree i do my best not to let it go to waste. my neighbor has a standing dead pine in his fence row that ill have to get this weekend. it just seems more prudent to get the most btus for the effort. And this will be my first season with an epa approved stove. im just trying to learn all i can. i am extremely grateful for all the help and info.
 
The Janka Hardness scale puts SYP right between Douglas Fir and Silver Maple. The JH scale is used a lot by woodworkers, and I find it lines up pretty much exactly with pounds per cord, and btus per cord, listed by most BTU charts. So, given it's hardness, and cross referencing Sweep's BTU estimates, I'm thinking 17.4 MBTU/cord.
 
So the consciences is about 17 mbtus. I guess the reason for pine is quick hot fires in the morning during the shoulder season.
 
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So the consciences is about 17 mbtus. I guess the reason for pine is quick hot fires in the morning during the shoulder season.
And then theres us out west..... Its just as well I guess as I dont have the space to get 3 years ahead.
 
I guess the reason for pine is quick hot fires in the morning during the shoulder season.
It depends on your climate. Good to mix half pine / half locust or hickory and have a quick starting / long burning fire. Or unless it's a cold spell, I may use 100% pine. (Mid South climate - H35* L20* = cold spell). And the term "shoulder season" is variable. Deep winter in the Mid South is shoulder season to most.
 
It depends on your climate. Good to mix half pine / half locust or hickory and have a quick starting / long burning fire. Or unless it's a cold spell, I may use 100% pine. (Mid South climate - H35* L20* = cold spell). And the term "shoulder season" is variable. Deep winter in the Mid South is shoulder season to most.
Youre right. Cold as some of the guys see. I wouldnt want to leave the house.
 
Bought a (Complete guide to the woodlot) magazine. And its firewood btu chart says 22 mbtus per cord for loblolly and short leaf pine.
image.jpg
 
Understand these are really just estimates, and only meaningful for comparison purposes of wood A vs wood B. These numbers seem to be skewed avg 3-4MBTU higher than chimney sweep's estimates. Your mileage may vary, depending on several factors, like the dryness of your wood and the efficiency of your stove.
 
Understand these are really just estimates, and only meaningful for comparison purposes of wood A vs wood B. These numbers seem to be skewed avg 3-4MBTU higher than chimney sweep's estimates. Your mileage may vary, depending on several factors, like the dryness of your wood and the efficiency of your stove.
Thats cool. Like i say im trying to learn. Thats why i asked here. To get views from people with experience. I was told my whole life "dont burn pine youll burn your house down!" In fact ive been told that just last week. But yall have convinced me.
 
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Yeah it's definitely good as far as pine goes. I have some red pine I'll be burning next year. Turns out it's better BTUs than the silver maple that's 1/2 of my main fuel supply for this year.

I always thought it was a no-no too. Actually it probably is, if you try to burn wet wood like your average homeowner.
 
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