Getting The Best From Woodfuel
In order to get the best from using wood as fuel, drying is critical. Green, or unseasoned wood, typically contains several hundred liters of water per cubic meter and if burnt green, or unseasoned, the energy contained in the wood is wasted driving off this water rather than heating one's home.
The following information is supplied by the Forestry Commission and are guidelines that we actively follow in the seasoning and supply of our logs and endorse for our customers.
The following information is supplied by the Forestry Commission and are guidelines that we actively follow in the seasoning and supply of our logs and endorse for our customers.
Fell trees in winter or early spring for next winters fuel.
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Stack on a sunny site until autumn to become 'air dry'.
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Convert into logs and store under cover where the wood will not re-absorb water.
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Ideally, bring a supply of logs indoors prior to use to become 'house dry'.
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What Kind of Wood To Burn?
There is a common misconception that hardwoods i.e. Oak, Ash, Beech etc are better for firewood than softwoods such as Scots Pine or Conifer. In fact, weight for weight, the energy contained in the wood is very similar.The only difference being is that because softwoods are less dense, a greater volume of wood is needed. However this is a relatively small difference and softwoods can in fact be easier to use simply because they dry more quickly than hardwoods. Indeed, in our experience of burning wood in an open fire, we find that it is the softwoods that give the strong flame and this is why we typically sell our logs as mixed loads. The following diagram, again supplied by the Forestry Commission, depicts a useful comparison between the amounts of hardwoods versus softwoods needed to produce the same heat.
Good Fire Lighting Techniques!!
So, we are environmentally aware and have chosen to use wood to heat at least one room this winter by means of an open fire or woodburner! We have a good supply of seasoned wood and a beautiful new grate to burn it in, what next? The following hints and tips, adapted from an information sheet provided by 'The Scouts', may prove useful for the novices among us!
Fires have been an essential element of life since man lived in caves! Knowing how to prepare, lay and light a fire as well as knowing how to extinguish a fire safely and clear the fireplace correctly are all equally important. A fire needs to be built carefully - you can't just pile lots of wood together and hope for the best! So it is always necessary to take the time to prepare everything before you actually strike the match!
Fires have been an essential element of life since man lived in caves! Knowing how to prepare, lay and light a fire as well as knowing how to extinguish a fire safely and clear the fireplace correctly are all equally important. A fire needs to be built carefully - you can't just pile lots of wood together and hope for the best! So it is always necessary to take the time to prepare everything before you actually strike the match!
Logs To Burn! Logs To Burn! Logs To Save the Coal a Turn!
Here's a word to make you wise when you hear the woodman's cries;
Never heed his usual tale that he's splendid logs for sale.
But read these lines & really learn the proper kind of logs to burn!
Oak logs will warm you well if they're old and dry. Larch logs of pinewoods smell but the sparks will fly.
Beechwood fires burn bright and clear, Hornbeam blazes too, if the logs are kept a year and properly seasoned through.
Birch logs will burn fast, Alder scarce at all. Chestnut logs are good and last, if cut in the fall.
Pine is good and so is Yew, for warmth through wintry days. But Poplar and Willow too take long to dry and blaze.
Holly logs will burn like wax, you should burn them green. Elm logs like smoldering flax, no flame to be seen.
Pear logs and Apple logs they will scent your room. Cherry logs across the dogs smell like flowers in bloom.
But Ash logs all smooth and grey burn them green or old. Buy up all that come your way they're worth their weight in gold!
(Honor Goodhart, 1926)
Never heed his usual tale that he's splendid logs for sale.
But read these lines & really learn the proper kind of logs to burn!
Oak logs will warm you well if they're old and dry. Larch logs of pinewoods smell but the sparks will fly.
Beechwood fires burn bright and clear, Hornbeam blazes too, if the logs are kept a year and properly seasoned through.
Birch logs will burn fast, Alder scarce at all. Chestnut logs are good and last, if cut in the fall.
Pine is good and so is Yew, for warmth through wintry days. But Poplar and Willow too take long to dry and blaze.
Holly logs will burn like wax, you should burn them green. Elm logs like smoldering flax, no flame to be seen.
Pear logs and Apple logs they will scent your room. Cherry logs across the dogs smell like flowers in bloom.
But Ash logs all smooth and grey burn them green or old. Buy up all that come your way they're worth their weight in gold!
(Honor Goodhart, 1926)
Links to Firewood and Wood fuel Information!
Below are some sites that may be useful when considering heating your home with logs and firewood. Woodfuel is a fantastic source of sustainable fuel and worth finding out as much as you can about.......
The Forestry Commission - Wood as fuel ~ A guide to choosing & drying Logs. "...Our increasing awareness of the environmental damage caused by our use of fossil fuels has lead to growing interest in using wood as a
sustainable, renewable, low carbon alternative........" Forestry Commission for England - Woodfuel ~ Energy that grows on trees. "Woodfuel can be burned to generate heat or electricity and is an important part of the UK’s renewable energy supply" Glynns Chimney Sweeps ~ Members of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps and covering parts of Hertfordshire & Essex. "We are full time professional chimney sweeps. We come from a long established family of chimney sweeps, going back generations. We offer a clean efficient service....." |
Biomass Energy Centre ~ "Biomass is a renewable, low carbon fuel that is already widely available throughout the UK. It's production and use also brings additional environmental and social benefits. Correctly managed, biomass is a sustainable fuel that can deliver a significant reduction in net carbon emissions when compared with fossil fuels."
Solid Fuel Association "The most common form of wood fuel at the moment is logs. These will usually come from local sources and can be brought from a variety of outlets – e.g. coal merchants, farmers, tree surgeons. It is important the logs are dry and well seasoned. Burning wet or unseasoned wood is less efficient and can cause harmful build up of deposits in the chimney over a very short time" |