How does Mulberry compare to Oak?

[JA600L]

I have found a feeding ground of Mulberry trees that were taken down. When cut with the saw I see kind of a milky sap coming out. I have heard great things about mulberry and I assume it is worth the effort. I have had a lot of success with Oak and don't want to stray too far from the BTUs and burn times. Is the mulberry worth the efforts? FYI the place I am getting it from is literally across the field from me.

 

[D8Chumley]

If its free its me, I always say

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Mulberry throws really good heat but it takes awhile to dry out because like you said it is very wet when green, but it is very good fuelwood . It also pops somewhat due to moisture pockets in it so you will find that you might have some fireworks display at times especially when you open the stove door to reload. But it is very good stuff-grab it and let it dry properly and you should be happy with it.

 

[JA600L]

One truckload down many to go

 

[Clyde S. Dale]

I have some on the rack drying for next year. Never burned it before and not much to add, but keeping the PA representation going

 

[Hickorynut]

I scored on a couple of good sized mulberry trees this summer and found it to be a very interesting wood. Similar to hedge in that it is sappy and a yellow wood that turns reddish brown with sun. It was fairly easy to split with a maul and pretty heavy, which I think is partly due to a high moisture content. All the btu charts give it a rating a little better than red oak and it doesn't deteriorate in the weather like red oak either. Looking forward to burning it in about 3 years

 

[firewoodjunky]

I have some three year old mulberry that I have been burning a bit of - it gets surprisingly light after three years! Burns pretty good though, good heat, nice coaling. I would say that it runs neck and neck with oak, especially if it is located across a field from you!

FYI - The mulberry that I got was from a friend that owns a tree service so it was giant wacky yard tree, weird splits, giant burls, etc so I am unable to really pack the stove tight with it so my burn times are shorter than a load of more normal oak splits.

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Here in Pennsylvania, Mulberry grows like weeds, all over the place. Evidently it was brought in years ago to help with the Silk industry. There are at least two types of it, Red or White. It splits MUCH easier when green-when it is dry it can be a bear to split but of course having a splitter takes care of that issue. And yes it starts out as a yellow color when green but turns reddish-brown when it dries-cool stuff. It is a very good fuelwood but like I said sometimes when air hits it when it is burning it is like a mini fireworks show as it "pops" and sends sparks flying, so just keep that in mind!

Yes, seem to be a lot of us Pennsy boys here!

 

[D8Chumley]

Here in Pennsylvania, Mulberry grows like weeds, all over the place. Evidently it was brought in years ago to help with the Silk industry. There are at least two types of it, Red or White. It splits MUCH easier when green-when it is dry it can be a bear to split but of course having a splitter takes care of that issue. And yes it starts out as a yellow color when green but turns reddish-brown when it dries-cool stuff. It is a very good fuelwood but like I said sometimes when air hits it when it is burning it is like a mini fireworks show as it "pops" and sends sparks flying, so just keep that in mind!

Yes, seem to be a lot of us Pennsy boys here!

I work with a guy from Emmaus, being that the world is pretty small I'll take a stab. Tim Howerter ring any bells?

 

[PA. Woodsman]

I work with a guy from Emmaus, being that the world is pretty small I'll take a stab. Tim Howerter ring any bells?

No, sorry, don't know him!

 

[D8Chumley]

No problem, worth a shot.

 

[Newschool]

No problem, worth a shot.

I'm right outside emmaus. Have some very dry mulberry that I am burning now. It does pop a lot! Also, it can get punky quick if left to dry in less than ideal locations.

 

[D8Chumley]

I'm in Collegeville. Down close to Philly according to the guys I work with from the Valley and North

 

[PA. Woodsman]

I'm right outside emmaus. Have some very dry mulberry that I am burning now. It does pop a lot! Also, it can get punky quick if left to dry in less than ideal locations.

Howdy neighbor! Where you at? I'm up close to the Emmaus Community Park if you know where that is. Or should I say it like some outsiders say it, M S, not E MAY S..........

 

[Newschool]

Howdy neighbor! Where you at? I'm up close to the Emmaus Community Park if you know where that is. Or should I say it like some outsiders say it, M S, not E MAY S..........

Yep, take our kids to the pool sometimes. My wife grew up in town. Let me know if you know any locals selling 'real' seasoned wood, I'm starting to worry that I may not have enough for the year... (during my first year burning, I bought some 'seasoned' ash from a guy in town who was literally splitting it as I pulled up to pick it up).

 

[HackBerry]

A screen is a must with Mulberry and an open fireplace. It will throw embers with a loud pop and at an alarming distance. It burns down to a nice hot bed of coals similar to Osage but not quite as hot.

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Yep, take our kids to the pool sometimes. My wife grew up in town. Let me know if you know any locals selling 'real' seasoned wood, I'm starting to worry that I may not have enough for the year... (during my first year burning, I bought some 'seasoned' ash from a guy in town who was literally splitting it as I pulled up to pick it up).

No, sorry I don't know of anyone that has dry stuff. Sure do know of a lot like you described though......if I had a big surplus I'd help you out but I think I won't have a lot left over after this Winter is done, at least the way it is currently going!

Don't you know that you can burn Ash unseasoned? That was a topic of debate here awhile ago and while a few others do just that the majority of us said "no thanks".....

 

[D8Chumley]

I have heard that in the past. I chose to ignore it, considering the sources.

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Yep, take our kids to the pool sometimes. My wife grew up in town. Let me know if you know any locals selling 'real' seasoned wood, I'm starting to worry that I may not have enough for the year... (during my first year burning, I bought some 'seasoned' ash from a guy in town who was literally splitting it as I pulled up to pick it up).

Wait a minute-I just remembered a company called Solid Fuels that I hear ads for all the time on the WFMZ weather channel. Supposedly they have 100's of cords of "seasoned" wood-look them up and give them a call, it's worth checking into at least....

 

[Paulywalnut]

I think Mulberry might burn hotter than Oak but not as long. I love it for hot fires. Takes forever to dry out.
Yet another PA guy. We're competing with Michigan

 

[Wilhelm911]

Pretty cool seeing so many PA guys that are close. I'm about 20 miles northwest of Emmaus, in New Tripoli.

I have almost a cord of mulberry in the stacks now. Can't wait to see how it burns, hopefully next year!

 

[JA600L]

Its supposed to get down to 3 degrees tonight. So I'm going to let the mulberry I got freeze up and split it in the morning with my Fiskars .

I Live in Lanaster, PA ( Strasburg) . I live right down the road from the Rockvalle Outlets, Sight and Sound theater, etc.. I do road service on farm machinery so I've been up in and around Emmaus different times. Sometimes I travel up 222 to 78 and head over to Jersey.

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Its supposed to get down to 3 degrees tonight. So I'm going to let the mulberry I got freeze up and split it in the morning with my Fiskars .

I Live in Lanaster, PA ( Strasburg) . I live right down the road from the Rockvalle Outlets, Sight and Sound theater, etc..

Shady Maple "all you can shove down your mouth" buffet

 

[Mr A]

A screen is a must with Mulberry and an open fireplace. It will throw embers with a loud pop and at an alarming distance. It burns down to a nice hot bed of coals similar to Osage but not quite as hot.

I've been going through my 2 year seasoned morus alba. It performed well during our freeze snap of mid 20's. Long burning coals. Lots of snap, crackles, and pops. I often hear a loud pop and a tink against the walls of the firebox.

 

[JA600L]

Shady Maple "all you can shove down your mouth" buffet

Haha! I'm about half an hour from that place. Thats a good thing. I will live longer