Another (Slightly Different) Bark Question

[Trooper]

Hi All,

I've searched past threads about burning bark, but most of the discussion seems to focus on whether to burn bark that has fallen off of the split.

My question is a bit different. Should I burn splits that still have bark on them? I am referring mainly to pine, as I have heard that pine bark is a big creosote producer. Should I take the time to shave off the bark with my X7 prior to throwing in the stove, or not worry about it?

Thanks,
Trooper

 

[blujacket]

Don't sweat it, burn it

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Trooper, do yourself a big favor and forget everything you've heard about pine and creosote. It is all baloney. If you want to strip some bark that is okay but it is a big time and labor waster. Throw it into the stove.....but only after it has been dried in the stack.

 

[PapaDave]

Dry it, burn it, .....done.

 

[Wood Duck]

I wouldn't strip the bark right before burning, but I sometimes peel off loose bark before I stack the firewood for a couple of years. I m convinced that bark slows the drying process, but it burns just fine. Backwoods said it right - pine doesn't cause creosote buildup any more than any other wood causes creosote buildup. Burning wet wood and burning without adequate air causes creosote buildup.

 

[Paulywalnut]

Agree with Dennis. Anything seasoned well will burn productively. Oh except willow.

 

[Trooper]

Thanks everyone. I'll just make sure, to quote someone here, that my wood is 'drier than a popcorn fart'.
I will also stop listening to the old-timers when it comes to burning pine

 

[ScotO]

Bark burns as good as anything, however it does seem to create more ash...some species at least. Heck, as I go through the winter, I bundle up the bark that falls off of the maple and oak in the stack and make "bark rounds", put them right in the stove and they'll put off good heat for several hours......the big thing is (as Sav and others mentioned) is to season your wood (bark included), and you won't have any creosote problems......

 

[hobbyheater]

The bark on Douglas Fir, I believe, is much similar to that of pine. Dry Douglas Fir bark burns very hot and in a brisk fire, there is little or no smoke.
The biggest danger to an all metal stove would be to burn a load of bark only. I have seen where it has warped non cast grates in a fireplace and also warped the sides of a Fisher stove! Burning splits with bark on should not be a problem. The bark on the old growth fir that I'm standing on is 6" thick.


The lower three logs in this picture are Douglas Fir with bark ranging 2" to 6" in thickness. The thick bark on the Douglas Fir was the tree's defense against fire. The thick bark at the base of the tree insulated the trunk from the damage of a ground fire.

 

[Jon1270]

Trooper, do yourself a big favor and forget everything you've heard about pine and creosote. It is all baloney.

I am no expert on burning pine (or any other wood, really), but I've done a lot of reading on the topic and one real difference I've seen noted is that pine tar ignites at unusually low temperatures. I think this may be the source of the misunderstanding that pine causes creosote problems. The extreme flammability of pine tars means pine will burn while still quite wet, making for a particularly cool and smoky fire -- perfect conditions for creosote buildup. In other words, it's easier to do it wrong when you're doing it with pine, and having done it wrong it's easier to blame the pine than to blame oneself.

 

[firefighterjake]

Pine is fine . . . whether it be heart wood or bark.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Thanks everyone. I'll just make sure, to quote someone here, that my wood is 'drier than a popcorn fart'.
I will also stop listening to the old-timers when it comes to burning pine

Careful there. They tell me I'm an old timer....