PNW Big Leaf Maple

[wulybgr]

What are peoples experiences burning this wood? Does it take any longer to season compared with Douglas Fir or Hemlock? I scored a bunch of it earlier this year - I figure I have 8 to 10 cords. I am wondering how does it measure up compared with other NW woods. In the little research I have done nothing is mentioned about big leaf maple in the BTU charts that I have seen, usually just the eastern maples.

Steve

 

[GrantC]

I've burned a lot of it this year. It wasn't my own, so I don't know how long it takes to season, but the folks around here tell me 8-9 months. I cut down a couple of them in February, so I'll let you know next October!

Splits very easily when seasoned, even through knots. Lights easily compared to oak, very similar to seasoned Douglas Fir. Not much kindling needed - if there are any coals at all, a couple of smaller splits under the larger ones suffice. Burns fairly hot, not as hot as oak but hotter than Doug Fir. Coals very nicely, and the coals live longer than oak (and much longer than Fir.) Makes a good amount of ash, though - more than oak and Fir combined!

Overall, it's my favorite "all around" wood. It doesn't excel at anything in particular, but the easy starting, decent heat output, and impressive coals make it a very forgiving wood to burn. I'll use all the oak I can get, but I definitely won't turn my nose up at the broadleaf maple commonly found here in the PNW.

-=[ Grant ]=-

 

[begreen]

Seems to take about 9 months to season if split no thicker than about 5" . It's an adequate heating wood and there's a lot of it around. I prefer madrona, but this is decent wood and especially good for fall/spring burning.