Have You Burned Poplar ?

[scott_vt]

Good Mornin Guys,
I know its not considered great firewood, I believe ts considered a hardwood, but the softest in that category !

I have a chance to get a real load of this stuff from a neighbor, it has been cut into rounds, and just needs to be transported up the street and then split...

Is it more trouble than its worth, I thought it might be OK for the early fall season while its not too cold...

It should split easily ! Thanks foryour opinions !

I normally burn oak, maple, birch etc...

 

[jimmyj]

I have two wood sayings

"Soft wood for the soft times and hard wood for the hard times."

and

"If it's wood, it's good"

I've burned lots of poplar to start fires or when I need a quick one that I want to burn out. If I have a lot I'll mix it through the hardwood so there is one poplar chunk for ever dozen or so hardwoods. Splits into great kindling too.

I'd take it.

 

[caver]

I had two big Tulip Poplar trees in my yard I had cut down. What hasn't gone through my sawmill went through my fireplace. I think it burns good enough for me.

 

[MarkV]

Scott I use poplar for early season and late season. It splits so easily it is also great to make kindling from. Makes for pleasant fires but use a screen or door on your stove because it does pop.

MarkV

 

[creekbend]

If its free, then use it. Considerations to take into account: Poplar burns fast and gives off little heat compared to other wood. If you decide to use it, make sure that it is dried out before burning it. Use the poplar to help start your fire and then add hardwood if you want a longer lasting fire. You will expend little energy in splitting the wood, because it splits easily. If you have yellow poplars close to your Home, I would advise removing them. They are subject to being blown down when heavy winds are prevalent. Shiitake mushroom growers, sometimes utilize poplar logs as a growing medium, although I think the use of oaks is more prevalent. In case you like mushrooms that are good eating, and you decide to grow them, there is a thread circulating here on TBN in reference to growing Shiitake Mushrooms. Just a thought?

 

[CTPhil]

Yes, I've burned it. I'll burn anything.

 

[General Lee]

Yep, I wouldn't turn it down. Free heat, may not burn as long as oak, maple or locust but it will burn. It seasons fast and like others said, makes splits easy for nice kindling.

 

[radioman]

I agree with all posters- If it free and easy to get to, then use it. I use popular in fall and spring whenever I want to warm up the house but dont want the fire going, or dont want a hot fire and it keeps me busy adding wood. :thumbsup:

usually I try to cut and split the popular trees where it falls and wait a season or two before moving it to my wood pile. This does two things for me- It makes the wood easy to move and I can pile a heck lot more in my trailer if going long distance.

using popular wood makes me feel good about saving the hardwood trees for future use.

 

[Combustix]

you can have all my cottonwood for free if you want

 

[DennisArrow]

There are basically 2 kinds of poplar being discussed here........In the north it is small in diameter and short lived........The southern tree, tulip poplar grows up to 3' in diameter and lives quite a long life............Both are soft, burn readily, and are really trash trees as far as the wood burning situation.......Tulip poplar though, is used for pulp and as cheap hidden parts of furniture, such as couch frames.........

Anyway........for me.....neither is great for heat production and they are treated as weed type trees in my firewood harvesting efforts.......God bless........Dennis