Does a dead tree still make for "green" firewood?

[2458n]

Larry I have to agree about ash burning okay when still green. -13 Last night here and I was burning ash killed last year by the ash bore bug. Ohio's Really got a lot of these dead trees. Burning 12 inch limbs that have not been split or had time to dry. It kept the house in the low 70's though.

 

[wngsprd]

I'm burning "standing dead oak" in my stove right now and it is doing fine. I can tell the difference from fully seasoned oak if I burn it immediately after cutting, but after letting it dry a bit more for a few weeks there is very little difference for me.

 

[nybirdman]

We have a lot of standing dead elm,bark falls off.Great firewood,nice coals.

 

[/pine]

Just a reminder...be extra careful felling dead standing trees...(it can be fatal)...

 

[2458n]

Larry I have to agree about ash burning okay when still green. -13 Last night here and I was burning ash killed last year by the ash bore bug. Ohio's Really got a lot of these dead trees. Burning 12 inch limbs that have not been split or had time to dry. It kept the house in the low 70's though.

 

[gwdixon]

You can tell a lot about the condition of the wood through how the chain saw cuts it. Dry wood has a tendency to have the shavings come out more dust-like. Wet or fresh wood usually comes out in strips. These are general statements that may be different for different woods. It also depends on the sharpness of the saw chain.

Dry wood will also dull a saw chain much quicker, it is usually harder. Water in the wood acts as a lubricant and coolant for the chain.

 

[grnspot110]

Is the bark still on the dead trees? If they've been dead long enough for the bark to loosen, they're plenty dry enough as long as they're still solid. I've burnt a lot of green Honey Locust, I like it better green than dry! ~~ grnspot

 

[rrrkkk]

One of the best ways to cut firewood is to saw a ring around a live tree this time of year, it will die and be dry enough for next year. Standing it will not draw the moisture of a tree on the ground nor will it have as many bugs on it. Elm will usually slip the bark and makes excellent firewood. Not too big as it is he** to split.

 

[HillStreet]

Consider that your wood may be partially seasoned but whet from being out in the elements. Set some aside near the stove (but maintain 36 inches from the stove) to dry for a day or so. Try this too: get a bag of wood pellets, and when you load the stove with wood, throw in a handful of pellets to help the burn. Good luck.

 

[MossRoad]

standing dead locust is my favorite firewood. i find its way better than the stuff that's lying on the ground.

I agree. I girdle my locust trees with two or three rings around with my chainsaw, then leave it stand. When the bark starts falling off, I fell them completely, cut into 16" logs and take them home to split. I can burn them immediately, but usually let them sit in a stack for another year. Works great.