Will it Burn?

[blizzard]

We are cutting down a river birch and I was just wondering whether it will burn decently or not? Thanks

 

[Wood Scrounge]

I never heard of it so I Googled it and found this: "River Birch-32-Easy to split resinous fast burning"
http://www.thechimneysweep.ca/7firewoodcharte.html

 

[PA. Woodsman]

It will burn just fine although probably a little on the fast side as most Birches do.

 

[blizzard]

thanks

 

[Husky137]

all dry wood will burn.

 

[lwalper]

True, all dry wood WILL burn, but the higher density (more lbs/cu ft) woods generally provide a more consistent burn and heat output. Although Balsa will burn, if there were alternatives it would not be my first choice. I'm going to be burning a good bit of Sycamore this next heating season. It's not as dense as Oak or Hickory and so will require a bit more volume to last the season, but once its dry it will burn well and provide a good stable heat source.

 

[Brushwacker]

We are cutting down a river birch and I was just wondering whether it will burn decently or not? Thanks

River Birch is good firewood if dried right. Every piece needs split, even 3 inch rounds because the bark is so air tight it will start rotting in the center if not opened up. I believe it has a higher btu rating then cherry, not much less then pin oak. It is faster burning then the oaks but throws a lot of heat.
Bad results burning birch is usually cause it wasn't dried and seasoned right.

 

[lwalper]

Click Test

Something I do is to take a couple of sticks of whatever type of wood there is and strike them together. If they make a nice crisp "click" the wood's probably OK to burn in your stove. Stay away from anything that makes a thud. It's either rotten or has such a low density that it will just smolder giving unpredictable heat output.

 

[Blowncrewcab]

I Had one in my pasture where the horses ate the bottom bark off and killed it. I took it down and split it up, then mixed it in with the other wood I burn. sometimes burning it exclusivley and it was fine. Now they are debarking a black Locust it'll be down and split once they are done...I guess they don't like shade...

 

[Countrybois]

It's boredom. If they are out of grass to graze on, they gnaw at the trees.