Sassafras more than root beer?

[LAndrim]

Hi everyone, I have 2 large sassafras trees that are pretty much dead-- need to cut them down, and I'm thinking might make good wood to split and use in my wood stoves. From what I've read on line, it's not the best wood for heat value. Anyone have any experience with sassafras? Thanks much guys and gals

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

I had a load a few years ago. Burns pretty good, maybe not as hot as Oak, but good enough to put in the effort.

 

[Tar12]

No its not the best btu firewood...but it will indeed burn and make good shoulder season wood...if I put a saw to its getting burned either by its self or mixed...I also burn less than ideal stuff on the weekends when I am home to conserve my good stuff.

 

[hickoryhoarder]

I'd like to try it some time. Around here it has the reputation of being a chimney cleaner -- burns real hot. It is not real highly rated in BTUs.

 

[woodisfun]

It sure is nice smelling to cut! So-so at best for heat, easy splitting, and light. Mine seemed to pop and toss sparks a good bit if that matters to you. It can be used to make some nice kitchen utensils.

 

[stoveliker]

I like it. Burned half a face cord this season. Goes a bit fast, but nice and hot. Good for burning down coals or helping light up a load that won't light easily.

 

[LAndrim]

Thanks to everyone for their input. Based on all your recommendations, I'll give it a try! Unfortunately, I'm in eastern PA and today the temp will be in the 70's! Thanks again everyone

 

[patrickk222]

from what ive always been told is that when dry burns kinda like paper and splits pretty easy to id figure that prob lasts a little longer than poplar

 

[stoveliker]

from what ive always been told is that when dry burns kinda like paper and splits pretty easy to id figure that prob lasts a little longer than poplar

Yes, splits the easiest from any and all wood I've ever split. In my 2.9 cu ft fire box I get overnight burns of 12-15 hrs if I run it (cat stove) low. Not too shabby for a light wood.

 

[Caw]

Yes, splits the easiest from any and all wood I've ever split. In my 2.9 cu ft fire box I get overnight burns of 12-15 hrs if I run it (car stove) low. Not too shabby for a light wood.

Oooooh a car stove that sounds fun. What model did you choose?

 

[stoveliker]

Oooooh a car stove that sounds fun. What model did you choose?

D*mn autocorrect... (or big fingers...?)
And there I am trying to avoid mentioning the model lest @Caw accuses me of being a fanboy - but then he is asking for it....

But the point is that when the stove allows good control, one can burn it slow and then the duration of the fire/load is only dependent on the weight out in the box, not the wood species.

Splits easy, dries fast. Good wood in my book.

 

[walhondingnashua]

Been burning one that was dead standing that I cut last year. Mixed in with some ash. Good enough for me this time of year and smells good when you burn it too.

 

[patrickk222]

Yes, splits the easiest from any and all wood I've ever split. In my 2.9 cu ft fire box I get overnight burns of 12-15 hrs if I run it (cat stove) low. Not too shabby for a light wood.

thats pretty nice burn time

 

[TradEddie]

The wood is also extremely rot resistant and long straight branches are excellent for laying as runners under a woodstack.
In case you don't already know, homemade sassafras extracts are carcinogenic, commercial products have the carcinogen removed.

TE

 

[bunfoolio]

I use black locust as runners under the wood stack. Hard part is finding them straight.

 

[Brewmonster]

Very easy to split and makes outstanding kindling!

 

[Woody Stover]

It sure is nice smelling to cut! So-so at best for heat, easy splitting, and light. Mine seemed to pop and toss sparks a good bit if that matters to you. It can be used to make some nice kitchen utensils.

Yep, it is some "poppy" stuff! That makes me a bit hesitant to burn it in my cat stove; I imagine the pops will stir up ash dust and plug my cat screen/cat sooner..

Oooooh a car stove that sounds fun. What model did you choose?

Possibly a Firenza...or maybe a Spitfire?

The wood is also extremely rot resistant and long straight branches are excellent for laying as runners under a woodstack.
In case you don't already know, homemade sassafras extracts are carcinogenic, commercial products have the carcinogen removed.

TE

Yep. I put three dead Sass logs under pallets a few years back, and they still seems to be holding up even though they've been pressed down into the ground a bit. I recently got another idea, soon to be revealed here in the Wood Shed, once I get it set up and can get pics.

 

[stoveliker]

Yep, it is some "poppy" stuff! That makes me a bit hesitant to burn it in my cat stove; I imagine the pops will stir up ash dust and plug my cat screen/cat sooner..

I burned a face cord of sassafras last season. No fly ash on my cat. Nights were in low but days were burned faster.

 

[Woody Stover]

I burned a face cord of sassafras last season. No fly ash on my cat. Nights were in low but days were burned faster.

Did you hear it popping quite a bit, or no? If not, maybe that has something to do with with the location, soil type, or who knows what..?

 

[stoveliker]

Did you hear it popping quite a bit, or no? If not, maybe that has something to do with with the location, soil type, or who knows what..?

A bit, but it's not nearly as bad as pine. (Which burns fine here too.)

 

[Woody Stover]

Very easy to split and makes outstanding kindling!

Use as kindling hadn't occurred to me, but I'll definitely be trying that. Even woods like Tulip, or even Pine, as kindling sometimes don't take off as fast as I would like..