poplar

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Rebelduckman

Minister of Fire
Dec 14, 2013
1,105
Pulaski, Mississippi
How quick does poplar dry and how does it burn? I've got several that needs to come down to clear a spot off
 
Seasons slightly slower than pine - so a year and you are good to go. It burns slightly longer than pine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PapaDave
Not one of the better woods but if its free burn it, its probably good for your climate during shoulder seasons.
 
Never burned any, except an odd limb here and there...those dried quick. I've got several dead ones, so I'm going to try splitting some small for starter wood. Hopefully, it'll replace the Pine....dirty-burning stuff.
 
Last edited:
I see the OP is from Mississippi, where I imagine the winters are mild. IMO, Poplar is decent wood in such a place. It takes a year to dry and is a very light wood. Doesn't coal and creates a lot of ash. I believe it throws about the same BTU's as pine. It's wood, it burns, it's free, whats not to like?
 
I believe Standingdead is spot on with his statement. I burned a very large Yellow poplar last year for shoulder wood and it did okay for that. Like he said, leaves a lot of ash. The only reason I took it was a very nice older lady in the neighborhood needed the tree down and, being on a fixed income, did not have the $1500 the tree service wanted, So I took it down for her and "disposed" of everything at no charge. Two blocks is as far as I would go for it and that's if there wasn't anything else available for s while.
 
I'm a fan of poplar. It's easy to split, seasons fast, and burns alright. The tulip I've burned has real stringy/fabric-y bark too that makes good tinder and kindling
 
When I cut down a lightning strike poplar earlier this year I was surprised when I attempted to split it. I started out using my 7 ton electric splitter and it would split the poplar, but it was very tedious due to how stringy it was. I'd run it the full length of the splitter (15" on a 20" round) and then I had to wrestle it apart with an axe to finish the split. Then one day I had a round that was a bit too long for the splitter and I had to spit it with my X27 splitting axe. I was shocked to see the big round pop apart with one blow and no strings! Needless to say I finished the job with my axe.
 
New here, I have found some good reading. I have a question, is cottonwood similar to poplar in burning characteristics. I have access to some and where I am at there is not a lot to choose from.
 
If you don't have many choices, then get it, but I would choose poplar over cottonwood every day of the week.

And welcome aboard.
 
When it gets warmer I can go to the mountains and get some pine, but there is a lot of cottonwood around Cheyenne and it seems like not very many people want it. Thanks.
 
What can I say, it burns. The rub comes in when you realize that you put in the same amount of time and energy into processing a lesser wood, than you will for the other woods available. If you have the time, energy and space then do it. It WILL burn and make heat. But I would walk around it to get to a better species if that was an option.
 
Well ok good enough. :cool:
 
Tulip poplar is decent firewood for those not-real-cold days. You could do worse. Had a pair of dying poplars taken down in the yard when I lived in VA, burned it all the following year.

Splits easily enough and cures in a year. It burns up quickly so be prepared to load the stove more often.
 
there is a lot of cottonwood around Cheyenne and it seems like not very many people want it.
That's because it will last in your stove about as long as cotton. ;lol If you're around to keep throwing more wood in, it can work....
 
What can I say, it burns. The rub comes in when you realize that you put in the same amount of time and energy into processing a lesser wood, than you will for the other woods available. If you have the time, energy and space then do it. It WILL burn and make heat. But I would walk around it to get to a better species if that was an option.

I've got 100 acres so plenty options. Looking to build a shed where they are and was interested since I've never burned any. I might give it a go. Can it be milled and used for anything? I've heard of old siding made from poplar
 
I've got 100 acres so plenty options. Looking to build a shed where they are and was interested since I've never burned any. I might give it a go. Can it be milled and used for anything? I've heard of old siding made from poplar

Is this in ref to poplar or cottonwood (as the OP was asking)? If you have to knock it down, it only makes sense to burn it. I have heard of poplar being milled but not cottonwood, but I am not well versed in mill stock.
 
Is this in ref to poplar or cottonwood (as the OP was asking)? If you have to knock it down, it only makes sense to burn it. I have heard of poplar being milled but not cottonwood, but I am not well versed in mill stock.
I believe it was referencing the Poplar.
 
35
 
The genus includes Aspen and Cottonwood too.
 
The genus includes Aspen and Cottonwood too.


That is what I was wondering and why I was asking if cottonwood was similar to Poplar.
Like the site guys.
 
There are the 'true' poplars that are part of the genus Populus. Aspen, Cottonwood, White Poplar, and several other trees are the 'true' poplars and they are all similar as firewood. They have lightweight, white wood, easily split, dries pretty fast. There are probably six or seven species here in Pennsylvania,

The Tulip Poplar is not related to the 'true' poplars, and is actually related to magnolias. It has wood that has a distinctive greenish color and is a mid-grade firewood.

Tulip Poplar is commonly found in the lumber section of my local Home Depot labeled 'poplar,' You can tell it is Tulip Poplar because of the greenish color.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.