My friend called and asked me how long to season cottonwood for firewood, he said it was his first time burning cottonwood to get it for free from his uncle, so why did god not give me uncles like his?
Whatever, where we are ooh yeah season of cottonwood..
So, cottonwood is a good source of firewood, if seasoned(dry) well and cottonwood works fine as firewood, you might think why season the wood because green cottonwood is hard to burn and makes a lot of smoke.
Because it holds a lot of moisture you might struggle to cut the wood to start the process of seasoning.
If you are here just for a one-line answer then it takes around 1-2 years after cutting and splitting to season(dry) the cottonwood.
Many people complain that it produces a lot of ashes, with a low amount of heat.
What Is a Cottonwood Tree?
The cottonwood tree, a majestic local resident, stands tall and wide, reaching heights of over 100 feet and spanning almost as wide. It’s a beloved tree that provides comforting shade and is frequently found in parks.
Cottonwood can be found growing in the wild near rivers, ponds, and other bodies of water. It also does well in floodplains and dry riverbeds, where occasional rains can turn dry land into flowing water.
Cottonwood trees can add 6 feet in height each year making them the fastest-growing trees in North America.
How Long to Season Cottonwood for Firewood?
The process of seasoning the cottonwood for firewood takes 1-2 years, and this process is not easy to start because it is very wet when cut.
Splitting cottonwood can reduce the time to seasoning, some people might say that it takes only 6 months don’t listen to those people, you will get wood that is still full of moisture if you listen to them.
If you are thinking that seasoning is not important you are wrong because seasoning makes the wood capable of becoming a good firewood.
Properly seasoned cottonwood emits more heat, is more efficient and it may produce a lot of ashes than other firewood.
Cottonwood which has been aged has a BTU rating of around 16.8 million BTUs per cord.
which is low as compared to other wood such as pine and oak. Also, don’t hope for very hot flames it doesn’t produce much hot flames while burning cottonwood.
Make sure to cut the cottonwood properly before storing it for seasoning.
Testing the Dryness of cottonwood
Check the dryness of cottonwood can be checked by these methods:
- Examination by sight: firewood must be dry, and clean, have dry cracks at the end, and light in colour.
- Notice the sound: If they are vibrating very much then it is a sign that firewood is dry.
- Wood moisture meter: This instrument tells the percentage of moisture present in the wood. It should be 20% or less than that.
- Weight: pick one green wood and pick the seasoned wood compare the weight, dry wood is much lighter than wet wood.
Which Factors Can Influence the Seasoning Time?
- The size you have cut the wood
- Moisture in environment
- How do you store the wood?
- Warehouse condition
- Moisture in the wood
Pros and Cons of Cottonwood as Firewood
Pros
- Easy to find
- Easy to spilt if properly seasoned
- Best for quick heat
- Cheap or free in certain areas.
Cons
- Produce lots of Ash.
- The odor smells like cat urine.
- Low heat output compared to other firewood.
- Heat is not long-lasting
Cottonwood Alternatives for Firewood
If you don’t want to use cottonwood as firewood then consider these as alternatives:
- Oak: A perfectly seasoned wood can produce 29.1 million BTU of energy per cord. This may be a good option for you because of the low smoke output.
- Black Locust: A perfectly seasoned wood can produce 27.9 million BTUs of energy per cord. It can be difficult to split. but smoke production is low.
- Maple: With 25 million BTUs of energy you will get a similar heat output to oak, with very little smoke and very easy to split.
- Elm: energy rating of about 20.9 million BTUs per cord, but it is pretty difficult to split and create more smoke than other species of wood.
FAQs
What Does Cottonwood Smell Like?
It smells like cat urine, if not seasoned well.
How Long Does Cottonwood Take to Season?
It takes at least 1 year if cut and split properly.