cottonwood hardwood or softwood

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injun joe

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ok i was recently searching the internet the other day for wood btu's and i came across this table that had cottonwood classified under the hardwoods. so i was wondering what your guys opinions are on this possibly a typo or something along those lines. well all i can say i have cut some cotton wood that was hard so any info would be great.:rock:
 
ok i was recently searching the internet the other day for wood btu's and i came across this table that had cottonwood classified under the hardwoods. so i was wondering what your guys opinions are on this possibly a typo or something along those lines. well all i can say i have cut some cotton wood that was hard so any info would be great.:rock:
 
Balsa wood is classified as a hardwood. Nothing to do with hardness other than possibly hardwoods are harder in general than softwoods. Oh the ambiguity of the English language.
 
I burn it a bit. It's good to help get a fire going. Burns fast. Leaves a LOT of ash. I also burn it in the early fall or late spring when I don't need much output from the stove.
 
I burn tons of it. I would be mighty cold if it were not for the ol cottonwoods!
Believe it or not, it is one of the better woods in our parts.
 
As I understand it the BTU out-put of seasoned wood is generally the same per pound no matter what kind of wood it is.
 
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Depends: In general, any tree that drops its leaves is considered a hardwood, anything with needles a softwood. Really has nothing to do with the relative hardness of the wood.

Harry K

Depending on State Law. Certian States classify what is and isn't hardwood to be used for fuel.
 
I will not cut cottonwood for firewood

I don't know the answer to your question, however, I will not cut cottonwood for firewood!

I haven't burned any but I will take the advice from my Uncle. He says that it takes linger to cut it than burn it.

Dan
 
yup, its a hardwood.


just a really really soft, hardwood.


I don't much prefer to burn it, unless my fire was too hot and I needed to drop it a few 100 degrees, I might throw a log or two in :spam:
 
ok i was recently searching the internet the other day for wood btu's and i came across this table that had cottonwood classified under the hardwoods. so i was wondering what your guys opinions are on this possibly a typo or something along those lines. well all i can say i have cut some cotton wood that was hard so any info would be great.:rock:

There is a heating forum here that has some info on Wood BTU's Do a search. hope this is of some use. :)
 
Our cotton wood is soft green, but actually it dries much harder than one would think. No btu's, though.

I've been told that some of it is exported for toothpicks, but other than that I don't know of a use for it.
 
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Classified as a hard wood because it is a deciduous tree, but soft density, making a poor choice as firewood.:)

It burns hot and fast. Good wood to start things going and take the chill off the house.

StihltheOne said:
I burn tons of it. I would be mighty cold if it were not for the ol cottonwoods!
Believe it or not, it is one of the better woods in our parts.

Hum, This may be the reason that Wyoming is the least populated state, just kidding. Cottonwood is also very prolific in Utah and I have burned my fair share of it.
 
I don't burn it or cut it. Cottonwood is notorious for dropping limbs when felling and besides it smells like cat piss. Its not a hardwood intermediate at that and is usually shaky. We saw a couple mbf a year and the good lumber goes to casket companys and the rest(most) goes to 3B/cants.
 
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