Burning pine for firewood. Not a simple answer

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Never much thought about that aspect, but you still got to cut and split it to size and stack it to dry. With that equation and no splitter I use the energy on the better burning wood. I have a bunch of big poplars around the cabin which need to come down took three down in past two years, four more to go, I just cut as big a chunk as I can load in a wheelbarrow and off to the side of the campfire.

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That’s what we do , cut them before “mother nature” does. We get wicked high winds up there off the lake. Yeah are splitter makes it better for sure.


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Originally Posted by FishHog

I had 15 80' jack pines killed by something 3 years ago on my cottage property. All threatening some out buildings so had to deal with them. All I've burnt is pine in my woodstove, other than a big oak log at night for a long slow burn, but while I'm awake, pine all day long. Sure doesn't have the same btu's, and takes more attention, but its what I have.
My screen on top of my chimney sure cresotes up fast with it though. I should just remove it for the winter, but when I realize my draft is down, that is always the cause. Just a quick brush off and its good to go again. Sweep the chimney every spring, and its never been too bad, but definitely some build up.

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Perfect FishHog, use the resources and protect the buildings.


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I’ve never had a problem burning softwood. Use to have the chimney cleaned once a year. Year 5 the Sweep guy told me I was wasting my money. Every 3 years now and more for the inspection. I burn 8 face cords a year, I burn hot, 350-450f, and never had a problem with build up. Nothing compares to wood heat IMO.

Had two woodstoves at my last house, but on natural gas now. Miss the woodstove heat, certainly not even close to being the same.
I have heard that insurance companies in my area (west of lindsay) are not insuring houses with woodstoves and making the homeowners remove them or have their insurance cancelled. Is anyone else experiencing this problem?

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Originally Posted by MikePal

FirewodGuy.... I left the main trunk (about 20') standing for the past two years. I was told that is the best way to let it dry. Do you think that's long enough ?

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The problem with letting a tree stand is that it will slowly dry but that process will cause the bole to twist making it really tough to split. It also encourages rot from the stump upwards. While the results vary with different species this is especially true with most pines, spruce and white birch. Balsam is one exception because the gum is found only in the bark. You are better to knock it down but try to keep it off the ground if you can't buck it or intend to buck it right away. Leave it laying on the ground for any length of time will end up with rot.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

The problem with letting a tree stand is that it will slowly dry but that process will cause the bole to twist making it really tough to split.

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An old guy once told me that they used to cut the poplar logs into planks and stand it on end in a barn. After 2 yrs it was so hard you had to drill to put a nail into it. They used to use poplar for flooring in the old farm houses, so it had to be pretty tough.

That's why I let it stand rather than blocking it right away. Standing dead/dry trees seem to be the best firewood.

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Originally Posted by machron

Had two woodstoves at my last house, but on natural gas now. Miss the woodstove heat, certainly not even close to being the same.
I have heard that insurance companies in my area (west of lindsay) are not insuring houses with woodstoves and making the homeowners remove them or have their insurance cancelled. Is anyone else experiencing this problem?

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i remember another forum member bringing this up, definitely not just Lindsay

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Originally Posted by MikePal

An old guy once told me that they used to cut the poplar logs into planks and stand it on end in a barn. After 2 yrs it was so hard you had to drill to put a nail into it. They used to use poplar for flooring in the old farm houses, so it had to be pretty tough.

That's why I let it stand rather than blocking it right away. Standing dead/dry trees seem to be the best firewood.

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I was told long time ago once log is layed down it’s starts to break down something about wood fibres being compressed in different directions

There is no problem burning softwood if it is dry. If you burn a fire properly you should have very little creosote build up.
I clean my chimney's every year it only takes me 30 minutes for both (Garage and House) I get very little out of it and I burn 10 face each year in the house (well except this year used the heat pump on the warmer days). If you have good airflow (no elbows) and a straight pipe out you can have a little chimney fire each week on purpose and burn the creosote out. I know a few people that do that.

But there are no issues with burning softwood like pine or soft hardwoods like poplar they just don't create a good bed of coals or last very long.

Most wood stoves are designed with a baffle near the chimney to create the secondary burn effect of the gases.