The cruel irony of fuel wood

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Rangerbait

Rangerbait

Feeling the Heat
Dec 17, 2016
456
Shepherdstown, WV
As a California expat recently exiled to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, I have been engaged in a study of east coast hardwoods, and their quality and suitability as fuel wood. Throughout the course of my studies, I have discovered such perennial favorites as Locust, Ash, Hickory, and Oak, due to their BTU ratings in the mid- to high-20s, which makes them a great choice when the Mercury drops into the teens, single-digits, and below.

I have also discovered, however, that the crown jewel of east-coast-BTU-rated fuel woods is the Osage Orange at a whopping BTU rating of 32.9! Wow!!

...But then I scroll down to the "West Coast Hardwoods" section of the chart, and discover that the tree varieties which not only grow in a region of the U.S. which boasts one of the most temperate of winter climates possible on Planet Earth, but also do so in such a prolific manner as to border on nuisance status.

The Live Oak and the Eucalyptus both grow to gargantuan specimen all throughout the moderate Central- and Northern-California coastal and foothill regions. These specimen also boast BTU ratings of 36.6 and 34.5, respectively! Oh, the irony of the most fuel-ideal trees growing in a region which seldom drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter!

Sorry...rant over. Excuse me while I get back to processing my Shagbark Hickory with a paltry 27.7 BTU rating.

http://firewoodresource.com/firewood-btu-ratings/

e0512e66d45874cb109af501d24ccd69.jpg
 
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Rangerbait said:
...But then I scroll down to the "West Coast Hardwoods" section of the chart, and discover that the tree varieties which not only grow in a region of the U.S. which boasts one of the most temperate of winter climates possible on Planet Earth, but also do so in such a prolific manner as to border on nuisance status.

The Live Oak and the Eucalyptus both grow to gargantuan specimen all throughout the moderate Central- and Northern-California coastal and foothill regions. These specimen also boast BTU ratings of 36.6 and 34.5, respectively! Oh, the irony of the most fuel-ideal trees growing in a region which seldom drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter!
Click to expand...
Well, you probably also noticed that the BTU ratings are proportional to the weight of the wood...so, on a bright note, you're not breaking your back handling those gargantuan and super-dense California hardwoods! :)
 
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Hasufel said:
Well, you probably also noticed that the BTU ratings are proportional to the weight of the wood...so, on a bright note, you're not breaking your back handling those gargantuan and super-dense California hardwoods! :)
Click to expand...

Good point! I had enough Manzanita and Live Oak handling in my youth, and can attest to their weight.
 
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Rangerbait said:
Good point! I had enough Manzanita and Live Oak handling in my youth, and can attest to their weight.
Click to expand...
I agree, lots of stuff in life is ironic like that. My favorite example is how we work hard to accumulate the resources and wisdom to really enjoy life, but by the time most of us get there, we are too worn out to be able to really enjoy the fruits of our labor and experience.
 
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ED 3000 said:
I agree, lots of stuff in life is ironic like that. My favorite example is how we work hard to accumulate the resources and wisdom to really enjoy life, but by the time most of us get there, we are too worn out to be able to really enjoy the fruits of our labor and experience.
Click to expand...

You want ironic, how about this,,,,,,,

You put oak in the fireplace and it turns into ash.

bob
 
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ED 3000 said:
I agree, lots of stuff in life is ironic like that. My favorite example is how we work hard to accumulate the resources and wisdom to really enjoy life, but by the time most of us get there, we are too worn out to be able to really enjoy the fruits of our labor and experience.
Click to expand...
Soooo true!
 
Rangerbait said:
As a California expat recently exiled to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, I have been engaged in a study of east coast hardwoods, and their quality and suitability as fuel wood. Throughout the course of my studies, I have discovered such perennial favorites as Locust, Ash, Hickory, and Oak, due to their BTU ratings in the mid- to high-20s, which makes them a great choice when the Mercury drops into the teens, single-digits, and below.

I have also discovered, however, that the crown jewel of east-coast-BTU-rated fuel woods is the Osage Orange at a whopping BTU rating of 32.9! Wow!!

...But then I scroll down to the "West Coast Hardwoods" section of the chart, and discover that the tree varieties which not only grow in a region of the U.S. which boasts one of the most temperate of winter climates possible on Planet Earth, but also do so in such a prolific manner as to border on nuisance status.

The Live Oak and the Eucalyptus both grow to gargantuan specimen all throughout the moderate Central- and Northern-California coastal and foothill regions. These specimen also boast BTU ratings of 36.6 and 34.5, respectively! Oh, the irony of the most fuel-ideal trees growing in a region which seldom drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter!

Sorry...rant over. Excuse me while I get back to processing my Shagbark Hickory with a paltry 27.7 BTU rating.

http://firewoodresource.com/firewood-btu-ratings/

View attachment 195285
Click to expand...
As a NorCal native myself, I feel ya!
 
Also have to think about the mountains, Canada, and Alsaska as well....

The areas where the coldest temps can be found are unfortunately where mostly only pines, and low btu woods are found. Its weird if you actually think about it.
 
Sconnie Burner said:
Also have to think about the mountains, Canada, and Alsaska as well....

The areas where the coldest temps can be found are unfortunately where mostly only pines, and low btu woods are found. Its weird if you actually think about it.
Click to expand...
I guess it makes more sense if you think about it from the tree's perspective. In a cold climate there's a shorter growing season and fewer resources (less available energy) so the trees have a harder time putting a lot of those resources toward generating dense wood. But in a warm climate the trees can afford to "pack on the pounds" and put more into the wood.
 
ED 3000 said:
I agree, lots of stuff in life is ironic like that. My favorite example is how we work hard to accumulate the resources and wisdom to really enjoy life, but by the time most of us get there, we are too worn out to be able to really enjoy the fruits of our labor and experience.
Click to expand...


Look on the bright side.. could be worse.. at least you won't starve or freeze to death
 
ED 3000 said:
I've tried watching the British version of the Office and Monte Python. I just don't get British humor, wish I did.
Click to expand...

Don't worry I don't get most of Monty myself and the office is just plain stupid IMHO.

bob
 
In Seattle area the only trees that reach "nuisance" status are douglas fir and western cedar. We have madrona here, which is great, but it's not nearly as abundant, and the trees generally aren't that big.No eucalyptus and very little oak of any kind. Also apparently lots of cottonwood here. As a result of limited selection, douglas fir is actually one of the better woods here (btu equivalent to silver maple I think). Can occasionally get maple or birch, but not nearly as common.
 
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