Osage or Mulberry any good for burning?

[scfa99]

I got a line on a couple of free cords of osage or mulberry not sure which. i split it and its real yellowish on the inside, guy said its either one or the other. I don't have exp with either of these species are they any good for burning?

 

[bruce56bb]

mulberry, heck yeah
osage orange, he11 yeah

 

[adrpga498]

I think Bruce pretty well nailed it.

 

[scfa99]

thanks im going there after work to get a couple of loads tomorrow. i'll post a pic maybe someone can tell me what it is.

 

[adrpga498]

Neva mind the picture.....tell me the location and I'll tell you what kind of wood it was......
Just kidding.

 

[jpl1nh]

You dawgg! That's kind of like having someone hand you a winning scratch ticket, hell yeah take all you can get!

 

[Kansasplains]

In my opinion, that's some of the best wood you can get your hands on. Especially for free!! It can throw some sparks, but I wouldn't let that scare you off. Check out this site. (broken link removed to http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1554/build/g1554.pdf) This gives a bunch of good info about different kinds of wood. You'll notice that Osage Orange is right up in the top tier.

Kansasplains

 

[derbygreg]

Osage is the best wood out there. Equal BTU's to Coal. Like another guy said, look out for sparks.

I have cut some Osage and it is a lot of work. If you can get it even if you have to pay it is worth it.

Be sure to let it season.

 

[realstihl]

Hedge is best. Thats all I want to burn. Tuff cutting but worth it.

 

[pwdohio]

Osage orange trees, great burning! They drop the osage oranges or hedgeapples in the fall that you see on the roads, big round bumpy-looking things about the size of a softball.

Very hard to split, hope you have a splitter or maybe it is already done for you?

 

[derbygreg]

Hedge is best. Thats all I want to burn. Tuff cutting but worth it.

No question it is tuff cutting. Slyferrit and I cut some a few weeks back and I thought my chain was dull after a few logs. Weeks later I cut some Maple, and it went right through it with the same chain.

Its tough and it lasts.

It sometimes looks like the 4th of july in the stove.

 

[gary]

Osage Orange is a very good wood. Very hot coals, long burning. Best to add after you have a good fire going. Tough to start.

I understand mulberry is also a very fine burning wood, especially if it's free.

 

[Outdoorsman]

I'd compare Mulberry to white ash, but it has to season a lot longer. I'd suggest 15-18 months season minimum if cut into 18-20" lengths.

I've never gotten any Osage, but have always heard it is great stuff.

How would you guys compare Osage to a Shag bark Hickory?

 

[blackgooseJT]

Your "flatlanders" are right about osage orange burning well. My brother -in-law loves the stuff.He's a native of the Old Dominion , but has lived in Kansas for many years. It's not as common around here although you can find it on fence rows from time to time. Folks here don't burn it much because it makes a better fence post than locust. Locust posts might last 35 years, but hedge lasts even longer. Let it season for a LONG time. The glaziest flue I have seen in twenty years was a product of un-seasoned hedge and inexperience. Let it set for a couple of years. When two pieces knocked together make a hollow sound it's ready.

J.T. Black Goose

 

[smokinj]

Its some bad stuff that makes hickory look like cottonwood! osage that is

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Osage is the densest wood that grows in the US- great for making bows, and rot resitant. I planted a few trees of it in MA (my ex wife now owns them), and have one surviving here in NH. I may have planted half of what grows in New England over the years.

Call me Johnny Hedgeapple seed.