Another thread that is headed for the sheeter, fast is a realitive term is it not, the fastest growing trees are low in BTU's however there are some that grow realitively fast that burn well. How long are you going to live where you are at and how old are you, I can add to my resume that I am burning trees I planted and some volunteers that I let go, my main planting was it 1980 or so and some of the volunteer ash, maple, and elm are much younger that that. The elms that sprouted up around here (not sure what elm) grew very fast but spliting can be a chore. What was my point I forgot.
Whats the best tree to plant for firewood?
- Thread starter BigBadJohn86
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
- Status
Wood Duck
Minister of Fire
Wood Duck
Minister of Fire
seeyal8r said:
I found a USFS website that says Black Locust started from seed takes 15 to 20 years to produce post-sized trees. Sprouts grow faster. I think you could plant Black Locust from seed or small seedlings at pretty high density, then in 10 to 15 years you could start thinning then and getting useful firewood. The next cutting might be in ten years.
Growing firewood is a slow business.
woodchip
Minister of Fire
Willow grows quite quickly here, the only disadvantage is that it does need a lot of water.
If I could, I'd get a tree now, and take loads of cuttings myself.
That saves a lot of money, and also you get the experience of raising your own trees, which will lead in to the knowledge of growing them.
Nothing to lose in buying one tree now and experimenting.
Except maybe $10, well worth the exchange for a whole load of experience and knowledge ;-)
If I could, I'd get a tree now, and take loads of cuttings myself.
That saves a lot of money, and also you get the experience of raising your own trees, which will lead in to the knowledge of growing them.
Nothing to lose in buying one tree now and experimenting.
Except maybe $10, well worth the exchange for a whole load of experience and knowledge ;-)
golfandwoodnut
Minister of Fire
I started a plot of future firewood to offset what I'm cutting now and opted to go with black locust and black cherry. I read a lot about the locust being great wood and a fast grower as well. I selected the cherry because I like the way it looks and smells. Being able to get the seedlings from Missouri Conservation Dpt for $4/bundle of 25 makes it easy and affordable to experiment.
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
I plant acorns . . . but I know I'll never get any use from them.
I think if a person had land and wanted to be able to continually cut wood on it the best thing to do would be to selectively cut . . . taking out the dead wood and/or wood of a certain size while leaving wood behind to take advantage of the opening in the canopy and less competition. This seems to be the best practice . . . which explains why my family has been able to go back to the same area that they have cut over and over . . . just have to wait 10 or so years.
That said . . . if I was to plant trees . . . I would go with black locust based on what other folks have said . . . and in fact I have some black locust seeds that I plan to sprinkle about on my property.
I think if a person had land and wanted to be able to continually cut wood on it the best thing to do would be to selectively cut . . . taking out the dead wood and/or wood of a certain size while leaving wood behind to take advantage of the opening in the canopy and less competition. This seems to be the best practice . . . which explains why my family has been able to go back to the same area that they have cut over and over . . . just have to wait 10 or so years.
That said . . . if I was to plant trees . . . I would go with black locust based on what other folks have said . . . and in fact I have some black locust seeds that I plan to sprinkle about on my property.
ryanm527 said:
About 25 years ago a buddy of mine planted 1000 black locust seedlings from the nearby NYS tree nursery like you are talking about. After about ten years they were already to start thinning out for firewood (I'd guess 30' tall and about 8" or so in diameter). Haven't seen him in almost 15 years. Those things must be enormous by now, but I'd be willing to bet he no longer burns wood. He's probably stuck with a dense forest of locust by now, and nothing to do with it. It's really hard to plant for the future.
jabush
Feeling the Heat
Battenkiller said:
Yep, it's called coppicing. If you planted a 400 foot long sretch, in staggered rows, along a fence line, eventually you would be producing a decent amount of firewood. I believe locust is the preferred specie for firewood production.
http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/woodland_manage/coppice.htm
Wood Duck
Minister of Fire
woodchip said:
Willow does grow faster than almost anything else except poplars, but the wood of willow and poplar isn't nearly as dense as Locust. I'd sacrifice some growth rate for the improved wood quality with locust, cherry, soft maple, etc.
As long as you are looking for another place get one with wood already on it and plant locust. Honey or black. We almost bought a place with 10 acres of locust the guy had logged every 8 years for fence posts. The said he bought the place with the trees already there. He never removed the stumps and usually had suckers come up from the roots or off shoots out of the side of the stumps. He said he just pruned off the side shoots or mowed the root suckers he did not want and let the better ones grow. Once the base tree is grown enough to cut the orphaned root system will feed a developing tree fairly quick. He had quite a few wierd looking stumps to make it look like he new what he was talking about. I do know that at times . fresh cut black locust fence posts will shoot out side sprouts and the post will become a tree. Also roots that sucker can easily be a source for the next generation firewood lot. Honey locust flowers can be very fragrant in the spring.
Mr A
Minister of Fire
This is interesting. I have a few cords of fruitless mulberry, a fast growing hybrid. I read a lot of people say mulberry is good hot firewood, but I guess I will have to see for myself about fruitless mulberry
midwestcoast
Minister of Fire
I agree with the black locust vote. It is a fast growing, dense wood and my favorite local hardwood for long fires. We have eucalyptus on the property which grows very quickly, but it is a real pita to split. Anyone grow any paulina? That is supposed to grow exceptionally fast. A 60 ft tree in 20 yrs. is not unusual.
- Status
