Comments on: Log fires and stoves – do we have to use hardwoods? http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/log-fires-and-stoves-%e2%80%93-do-we-have-to-use-hardwoods/ A blog about woodland activities, outdoor skills and conservation Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:04:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Frank Moore http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/log-fires-and-stoves-%e2%80%93-do-we-have-to-use-hardwoods/comment-page-1/#comment-11397 Frank Moore Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:29:58 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/?p=1366#comment-11397 Like some of the other comments I endorse the use of seasoned POPLAR in wood burners having culled 14 mature poplars and enjoyed free and very hot fuel for 4 years. Like some of the other comments I endorse the use of seasoned POPLAR in wood burners having culled 14 mature poplars and enjoyed free and very hot fuel for 4 years.

]]> By: john http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/log-fires-and-stoves-%e2%80%93-do-we-have-to-use-hardwoods/comment-page-1/#comment-5060 john Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:02:32 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/?p=1366#comment-5060 The following relates only to use of logs in wood burning stoves; softwoods (pine etc), poplar/willow will burn if seasoned with good airflow but under cover for one year. It is best to at least cut/split into billets if you don't have time/equipment to do the full log size & split that you will need for your stove opening. If left as round logs with bark on, the seasoning time will need to be extended by around 6+ months. Poplar/willow need plenty of airflow thru stove as otherwise they tend to just smoulder and smoke up the glass; pine doesn't need so much air flow once alight, but on opening stove door beware of sparks flying as it re-ignites. If you can get it, always go for hardwoods. No matter what you burn on a wood burning stove, you will still be at risk of tarring toward the top of the flue if no rain-guard is fitted. It's less of a long term problem if you have a steel liner, but with any other form of flue - beware tar if no rain-guard. My experience comes from being a small-woodland contractor and have been burning logs on wood burners for over 35 years. The following relates only to use of logs in wood burning stoves; softwoods (pine etc), poplar/willow will burn if seasoned with good airflow but under cover for one year. It is best to at least cut/split into billets if you don’t have time/equipment to do the full log size & split that you will need for your stove opening. If left as round logs with bark on, the seasoning time will need to be extended by around 6+ months. Poplar/willow need plenty of airflow thru stove as otherwise they tend to just smoulder and smoke up the glass; pine doesn’t need so much air flow once alight, but on opening stove door beware of sparks flying as it re-ignites. If you can get it, always go for hardwoods. No matter what you burn on a wood burning stove, you will still be at risk of tarring toward the top of the flue if no rain-guard is fitted. It’s less of a long term problem if you have a steel liner, but with any other form of flue – beware tar if no rain-guard. My experience comes from being a small-woodland contractor and have been burning logs on wood burners for over 35 years.

]]> By: Steve A http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/log-fires-and-stoves-%e2%80%93-do-we-have-to-use-hardwoods/comment-page-1/#comment-3336 Steve A Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:02:07 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/?p=1366#comment-3336 My wood is mainly Poplar. I have 2 wood burners at home and was dissapointed to hear that poplar would be a poor wood to use on it. Having read Paul's comments I may just fell one of the trees this weekend and leave it to season. Does anyone know how long polar should be seasoned for? My wood is mainly Poplar. I have 2 wood burners at home and was dissapointed to hear that poplar would be a poor wood to use on it.

Having read Paul’s comments I may just fell one of the trees this weekend and leave it to season.

Does anyone know how long polar should be seasoned for?

]]> By: Paul Hopes http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/log-fires-and-stoves-%e2%80%93-do-we-have-to-use-hardwoods/comment-page-1/#comment-3289 Paul Hopes Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:30:04 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/?p=1366#comment-3289 Just thought i would mention poplar here. in France (where i live) poplar is frowned upon generally and not regarded as worth bothering with. I decided to give it a whirl in my wood-burner (Jotul) and found it to be a really excellent burning wood. I guess its reputation probably comes from open fire use, where one has little control over the rate of burn. Poplar is a lovely species, and it does provide a good crop very quickly, so it is a tree worth thinking about if you have the space, and especially if you need some added wind shelter too. Just thought i would mention poplar here. in France (where i live) poplar is frowned upon generally and not
regarded as worth bothering with. I decided to give it a whirl in my wood-burner (Jotul) and found it to be a
really excellent burning wood. I guess its reputation probably comes from open fire use, where one has little control over the rate of burn. Poplar is a lovely species, and it does provide a good crop very quickly, so it is
a tree worth thinking about if you have the space, and especially if you need some added wind shelter too.

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