I just split a cord of Honey Locust, I believe, and some Red Oak. The Locust was relatively dry and felt noticeably lighter than the Red Oak. I did not cut the tree down but I assume it was dead or dying and that may be part of the reason it was not as heavy as the Red Oak. Questions: can you confirm it is Honey Locust? 2. The wood is not roted or punky just light. Will it retain its' BTU when burned?
ID Honey Locust and relative weight
- Thread starter joecanton
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![[Hearth.com] ID Honey Locust and relative weight](/talk/data/attachments/158/158756-1784f628fc99a9c2f0ee39cd732d5543.jpg?hash=UZ5Kpc6v3j)
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claydogg84
Minister of Fire
Not sure why but seasoned BL will be much lighter than HL. I burn both species and see no differnce is heat output. Plain excellent!!
claydogg84
Minister of Fire
Live Honey Locust feels heavier than Oak to me. Black Locust weight isn't even comparable, much lighter.
I wouldn't think so, based on the BTUs. I have a dead Hl to get at my neighbor's, so I'll see. Did you meter the Hl to see how dry it was?
Honeylocust and Black locust are not related. They just share a common name.
They share a common name with a locust from Europe but none are related. Well, they are all in the Pea family...but...
As firewood they are kind of different.
You have Black Locust, the wood does kind of feel on the dry side. It contains constituents in its cells that repels water, (in the heartwood) it has an ability to not rot easily. Where Honeylocust is a heavier wood but is lacking these 'elements'.
Its not that one is better than the other, they are just different.
They share a common name with a locust from Europe but none are related. Well, they are all in the Pea family...but...
As firewood they are kind of different.
You have Black Locust, the wood does kind of feel on the dry side. It contains constituents in its cells that repels water, (in the heartwood) it has an ability to not rot easily. Where Honeylocust is a heavier wood but is lacking these 'elements'.
Its not that one is better than the other, they are just different.
Thanks for the identification! The locust was about 10-12% lower in moisture compared to the red oak.
You'll be lucky if the red oak is ready in 3 yrs. Locust could be ready next yr.
planner steve
Burning Hunk
Looks like Black Locust to me. If well seasoned, you will love the BTU's. It is more dense than Red Oak at the same moisture content.
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