Thread: Would you sell Poplar as Hardwood firewood?

Originally Posted by branchbuzzer

I would say you are at least partly responsible because, technically, he is living up to his end of the bargain by selling you "mixed hardwoods". You need to ask specific questions about what kind of wood you'll be getting when it is described this way. If the seller is dodging those questions, that should be a small red flag for you as a buyer.

If it was described as mixed hardwoods, and you've gotten 12 cords of oak and 4 of poplar so far, that's better than an average mix of every type. He might just be giving you whatever comes his way in a random fashion depending on the job. Now, if everything else you get is poplar as well, then you'd have a bit more of a beef. I'd let the situation play out a bit more before demanding money back. Remember, the poplar isn't useless, it's just not as good.

Originally Posted by deeker

We sell cottonwood/poplar here for firewood. Burns quick and hot, with very little ash. Works great for a starter for the harder to light woods.

Also put it on the sawmill for trailer decking. Very good and flexible.

Makes great siding for sheds and barns. Just waterproof it on the bottom or keep it above the ground/snow.

Boths posts spot on, couldn't said it better myself. Rep for you both in the AM.

Originally Posted by Wood Doctor

+1 but not quite. Poplar, cottonwood, and basswood are all hardwoods and not conifers, such as pine, fir, and cedar.

Many people enjoy burning "softer" or "lighter" hardwoods. They light fast, are easy to load, and they help burn the denser woods such as oak, locust, and mulberry. I offer them together in a mixed hardwood sale and do not discount them. Many of my customers request them because they are so easy to light and burn, especially in a fireplace. They also do not throw sparks.

One customer told me, "If I had to choose between a ton of oak or a ton of cottonwood, I'd take the cottonwood any day."

Just curious, would you sell over 50% poplar loads to all your customers and not expect complaints? Reviewing posts it looks like there are different opinions depending on region.

Originally Posted by CUCV

Just curious, would you sell over 50% poplar loads to all your customers and not expect complaints? Reviewing posts it looks like there are different opinions depending on region.

Only if sold for campfires in bundles or perhaps for fireplaces--not for wood stoves. When sold for wood stoves, people like the denser hardwoods. Then, I sell that by the truckload and include more dense hardwoods in the mixture. That's because most wood stove people use the wood for heating the building. Fireplace burners want lots of flames and wood that is easy to light.

Regardless, if ALL of the wood is really dense, such as oak and locust, people usually have trouble burning it and often ask that I bring more elm and cottonwood on the next delivery.