Print

[browncty]

I got some Williow this weekend that was green and tossed it in the boiler, boy did it smoke. Has anyone else burned Williow. The price of free is what attracted me to tossing it in the trailer, and I can get more that's dry.

[merrellroofing]

My buddy brought me about 3 loads of willow and dropped it in my barnyard. I have burned some of the small stuff mixing it in but it's not that great. After I tried to burn some of it, I took the big trunk pieces and hauled them to the burn pit. Figured it wasn't worth cutting and splitting if I didn't like burning the small stuff. I'll take it if someone brings it to me but I won't pick it up.

[browncty]

I agree it does smell different then burning other types of wood.I think pine is better than Willow. I think mixing it with other wood is the key and I have read it should be burned seasoned and dry.

[slimjim]

Lumberman has burned it in his chip boiler as chips @ over 50% moisture content, part of a study with NY college I think. Not a lot of BTU's but it will burn green in the chip boiler!

[browncty]

I believe if it were chipped up it wood burn better. The chipper would also have an easy time cutting it up. I cut up some that was too long and some for better handling, it cut really nice. Yes it was green, I wonder how the dry Willow cuts.

[slimjim]

I think it would rot in log length before it would ever get close to what we would consider dry, below 20%.

[mikect05]

I burned willow in my woodstove one year, awful smell when green, but actually had a pleasant smell when it was well seasoned the following year.  It is not the best wood to burn, unless it's free...that does make it better than bought wood in my book.  I looked it up on the arborist website when my buddy brought me over a few truck loads a few years ago and decided that it wasn't the best quality, but certainly nothing wrong with burning it.  I would use it on warmer days and when you will be around to reload more often.

[MattyNH]

I've burned willow before.. Boy it stinks like urine.. I'll always take it if it's free.. But I will only burn it on windy days

[browncty]

Boy all your comments are right on! Burning on a windy day good idea or at night. I think I will let it season before burning anymore. Does burn better if you split it first? I tossed in 4-5 ft pieces that were whole and pretty large, they seemed to last a long time.

[CountryBoyJohn]

Willow is about as bad as it gets when it comes to BTU output. 14 MBTU per cord. Your are basically creating ash. I have a cottonwood in my yard and it has a better rating than willow. I'm still not sure if I will put it on my pile or not.

[mlappin]

I've burned willow as well, I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to cut a bunch of it.

Everything mentioned is true, stinks, makes a lot of ash and very low heat output.

[Scott7m]

Willow is about as bad as it gets when it comes to BTU output. 14 MBTU per cord. Your are basically creating ash. I have a cottonwood in my yard and it has a better rating than willow. I'm still not sure if I will put it on my pile or not.

If ur gonna cut it, use it

Good wood and free Wood are the same thing lol

[browncty]

Yes free wood is the best option unless it comes with too many strings.

[LittleJohn]

Yes free wood is the best option unless it comes with too many strings.

I generally less concerned with string, than with NAILS