Cottonwood is Good

[NTS]

cause it's the only type of wood I have access to.

Hello, my first post, thanks for letting me join the forum..

About three years ago I cleaned up this fence line of about 20 standing or fallen dead Cottonwoods. Those are all safe and sound at my wood processing area. There were three trees that still had some life, so I left them, but they have since died.
I use the whole tree, so I would just skid it all home, but now I have a couple fences to go thru with 10 ft. gates so I will probably have to limb these and haul the limbs by trailer. Can still skid the logs though.. Here are the trees. Will take some more pics when I get them on the ground, but first I might hook up the rake I built for my tractor and clear all those Russian Thistles away from the work area. Hate those things.
Nick

 

[Bioburner]

Well it can burn fast and very hot. Biggest tree in MN is a cotton wood. I burn a fair amount as I have several of them on my property.

 

[LocustPocust]

I mix Cottonwood with Boxelder on the not so cold nights (like tonight) and It puts out plenty of heat when dry but It burns fast. Dries fast too but the stuff you've got looks ready to go.

 

[NTS]

It keeps the house toasty all winter and best of all it's free. I'm retired so every little bit helps. I don't remember the last time I used my propane furnace. A couple years ago the propane company raised the annual tank rent from $50 to $75. So I had the propane company come take their tank out. The man left the regulator.. I just use propane for cooking and I live alone so the barbecue tank I use lasts for months.
I've never burned any oak to compare but like you say the cottonwood burns hot and fast. I'm always home to tend to the fire and at bed time I'll throw in a big split. In the morning I always look at the thermometer on the refrigerator and the coldest I remember it being in the house was 59.
I love wood heat. The stove I have is what I think you guys call a smoke dragon. It is an old glacier bay, double wall all around. It will take a 20 inch log but I cut mine to 16. I built a stand out of square tubing to raise it up.

 

[tiswood]

If it burns, it's good, if you have only cottonwood there's no need in looking for oak lol. Smoke dragon or not I'm sure it serves it purpose and keeps you warm.

 

[byQ]

I live in southern Idaho and the landscape is the same as most of Nevada. Yes, cottonwood can grow where other more water 'needy' trees can't. This is also true for Russian Olive trees (what you call Russian shrubs). There are some good things about this mountain desert Cottonwood,

* it is usually already dry/low moisture content which makes the rounds much lighter than wet wood, so easier to handle, and if you ever need wood to burn 'right now' it is there for you

* it is a bit denser in this low moisture environment

* cuts like butter if you have a sharp chain

* since it is already dry before you get to it you can split it into large firewood chunks if so desired.

NTS you should consider getting an EPA certified wood stove. One will save you quite a bit of firewood over a wood burning season. There is a difference.

 

[Woody Stover]

Welcome, Nick. Ya burn what ya got. To stay warm in this climate, in this leaky old house, I'd have to quit work to stay home and reload the stove with Cotton every couple of hours... Hey, maybe I should start looking for Cottonwood.
So are those the last trees on your property? Can you get a permit to cut dead wood on public land? My sis lives in NM and they burn Juniper, but don't have trees on the property. I think they usually buy from a guy they know. "Scrounging" wood from neighbors, power company cuts etc, is easy here since there are many trees, but I don't guess it happens much out there...most wood that comes down is probably spoken for.
I concur with byQ...keep an eye out for a used EPA stove on craigslist, etc. You'll cut your wood usage by 1/3 to 1/2. You have to look for signs of over-firing when you buy used, though...