Priorities - #1: tree

WV · 12-10-2009, 07:10

Thanks for the support. If my hammock had been up, the amsteel ridgeline might have been enough to change the angle at which the tree fell. Two feet to the left and it would have smashed the skylights in the sun room; two feet to the right and it would have destroyed the greenhouse. There's roof damage to the porch and the house, but it's fixable. The bad news is that the tree's a balsam poplar - almost worthless as firewood, and I don't have all my stovewood cut yet. Good news is that there will be more sun reaching one of my garden beds... and I wasn't in my hammock.

David

**MacEntyre** · 12-10-2009, 07:23

Originally Posted by WVhammockmaker

The bad news is that the tree's a balsam poplar - almost worthless as firewood...

Do what I used to do with pine... add it to a really hot fire. No good for banking the stove, but ok for mixing with seasoned hardwoods.

- MacEntyre

**Knotty** · 12-10-2009, 12:32

You can use that wood. All wood has the same number of BTU/pound. It's just that each log will weigh less so you have to load more often. Do like Mac said and mix it in.

Bummer about the loss of a fine hanging tree and damage to the house.

WV · 12-10-2009, 21:34

Originally Posted by Knotty

You can use that wood. All wood has the same number of BTU/pound. It's just that each log will weigh less so you have to load more often. Do like Mac said and mix it in.

Bummer about the loss of a fine hanging tree and damage to the house.

Thanks, guys. I've been burning it all day, and even burning green it's doing a good job. Started with dry locust this morning to get a nice hot fire, as Mac suggested. House is toasty warm and it's 9* F outside and windy.
David