Locust - How long to dry?

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skytow

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Jan 10, 2010
21
SE PA
I love burning locust. It is almost like coal but I almost have never scored any on my scrounges. This year however I've managed to snag about 3-4 cords. How long does it take to dry once split and stacked? The red oak I get takes a full two years and I'm hoping I'll be able to use the locust next year. I believe it is honey locust of that makes a difference.

Thanks,

JD
 
In a year it is awesome firewood.
 
Easy way to tell difference between black vs honey locust is that honey locust are loaded with thorns. Technically black locust have some thorns too but they are so small they are easy to miss. The heartwood is more of an reddish orange in honey locust where black locust is more brown.

Probably at least 1/2 my wood right now is honey locust. My dad is selectively removing them from his farm because he's tired of dealing with the thorns. It seems to dry pretty well in a year, but most of these have been dead standing for a minimum of 2 years before they make it to my yard.
 
In perfect conditions 6-8 mos. (split small). Definetely 10 mos. perfect after 12 mos.
 
Fantastic. I'll be in really good shape next year!

It is definitely the thorny honey locust, yow they are sharp!

Thanks all,

JD
 
Some of the honey locust is very dense and must be split small to dry in a year. Of course, get as much sun and wind to the cut wood as you can!
 
ryanm527 said:
Easy way to tell difference between black vs honey locust is that honey locust are loaded with thorns. Technically black locust have some thorns too but they are so small they are easy to miss. The heartwood is more of an reddish orange in honey locust where black locust is more brown.

Probably at least 1/2 my wood right now is honey locust. My dad is selectively removing them from his farm because he's tired of dealing with the thorns. It seems to dry pretty well in a year, but most of these have been dead standing for a minimum of 2 years before they make it to my yard.
Click to expand...
There are also thornless varieties of honey locust. They are the result of careful breeding and do not occur in nature. I'm not sure if both male and female have thorns as they occur in nature. Honey Locust and Black Locust do indeed make good firewood. I don't burn anything that has not been c/s/s for two summers.
 
in a pinch i have cut split and burned locast in the same day
 
maple man said:
in a pinch i have cut split and burned locast in a day
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I've never had locast, I need to try that!
 
ryanm527 said:
maple man said:
in a pinch i have cut split and burned locast in the same day
Click to expand...

I have too and was surprised it burned as well as it did.
Click to expand...
Locust starts out around 30-35%mc. If its dead already it could be lower. That's the beauty of be BL!
 
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