fieldwanderer Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 In short, I think it's oak but, where the bark has come off, the wood has spikes (a lot like conker shells) - anyone know what it is? The bark itself looks like oak but it's well seasoned, my chainsaw went through it very easily but by God did it take some splitting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Elm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Locust? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted November 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Looks like it may be elm though I've not noticed any about for years. I'll see if it burns ok and replace it if needs be - I only need enough for a couple of nights (it's for a weekend away in a cottage). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 When I've ended up with elm in the past I have had to mix it in with other, hotter burning, wood just to get it to go. It, along with horse chestnut, are the only two types of wood I wouldnt bother having for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted November 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Yeah, I know it's one of the worst - trying some is more in the hope that it'll burn well (so prove it was oak after all). Anyone know of any tell-tale signs it's either? Does elm really just smoulder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Huh, I love elm! It dies at perfect firewood size and dries standing. Always thought it burnt well enough and gives out plenty of heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 That's interesting. I had no luck with it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy69 Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Elm holds onto water and readily soaks it up, even when dead. It needs to be well seasoned after splitting and then kept dry. If left in the round it will not dry. Once dry it is very good firewood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr gen Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Huh, I love elm! It dies at perfect firewood size and dries standing. Always thought it burnt well enough and gives out plenty of heat. +1 but if it is a size that you have to split it, it is a right mare. I have always found that by the time a dead elm has fallen down it has seasoned perfectly. but then again I have never had to cut a live one down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Old Boy Scout rhyme from years back when we cooked over real fires, not gas, and had to learn the burning properties of wood. These hardwoods burn well and slowly Ash, beach, hawthorn, oak and holly. Softwoods flare up quick and fine Birch, fir, Hazel, larch and pine. Elm and willow you'll regret Chestnut green and sycamore wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Ironically willow when well seasoned is a favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 It sounds like Elm. "Elm: Commonly offered for sale. To burn well it needs to be kept for two years. Even then it will smoke. Very variable fuel". "Willow: Poor. It must be dry to use, and then it burns slowly, with little flame. Apt to spark." The main advantage with Willow is that its so poor, that its usually given away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckandswing Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 It sounds like Elm. "Elm: Commonly offered for sale. To burn well it needs to be kept for two years. Even then it will smoke. Very variable fuel". "Willow: Poor. It must be dry to use, and then it burns slowly, with little flame. Apt to spark." The main advantage with Willow is that its so poor, that its usually given away. You do some strange things to wood... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 (edited) You do some strange things to wood... :lol: Don't know how he held himself back for two years. Edited November 28, 2016 by old'un Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 I just had 5tonne of logs delivered from the parks trust all hardwood for £319. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted November 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 (edited) I just had 5tonne of logs delivered from the parks trust all hardwood for £319. We're only going for two nights 😁 The logs I cut up have been sat on a pile of rubble (so, off the ground) all the time I've had this permission (3 yrs) I don't know about before that. Hopefully it'll burn fine, if not I've only lost about 2hrs and 1/4 pint of fuel Edited November 28, 2016 by fieldwanderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.