All firewood burns, but not all of it performs the same way. Some produce more heat, burn slower and cleaner, and give off a wonderful aroma. Others burn quickly, smoke heavily, and their resin residues rapidly clog the chimney. Let’s look at ash firewood – how does it burn?
However, smoke is good in smokers, delicious kebabs come from aromatic fruit woods, and the essential oils of coniferous species have a beneficial effect on us in the sauna. This means the best firewood is the one that most effectively meets a specific task.
To know which firewood to take for a home wood stove, sauna stove, solid fuel oven, fireplace, grill, or boiler, one must understand their characteristics.
Is Ash Wood Good Firewood?
Ash wood has long been cherished as an excellent type of firewood for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, it has a reputation for burning clean. This means less soot and creosote buildup in your chimney, which can be a safety hazard if not regularly cleaned. Moreover, ash wood is known for its ability to burn hot and bright, providing ample warmth and a cozy ambiance.
Another significant advantage of ash firewood is its lower moisture content compared to many other woods. This property allows ash to be burned shortly after cutting, which can be particularly beneficial if you haven’t had the chance to season your wood in advance.
Ash wood is characterized by the highest heat dissipation. It is considered rare and expensive. It is quite problematic to get it on the market. Burns this wood very well, even raw. Undoubtedly, ash logs are an excellent material for the furnace, but not everyone can afford them.
Ash vs. Oak: Which Burns Better?
Ash vs. Oak: Which Burns Better?When comparing ash to oak firewood, the debate can get heated. Oak is denser than ash, which means it can burn for a longer time and produce more prolonged heat. However, this higher density also means oak takes longer to season fully (more on that later).
Ash, on the other hand, may not burn as long as oak, but it ignites more easily and reaches its maximum burning potential faster. This makes ash an ideal choice for those who use their fireplace irregularly and need wood that can be used without extensive planning.
How Long to Season Ash?
Seasoning firewood refers to the process of drying it out until the moisture content is reduced, making it ideal for burning. For many types of wood, this process can take from six months to two years. However, ash firewood is an outlier due to its naturally lower moisture levels.
Typically, ash wood only needs about 6 months to season if stored properly. Proper storage means keeping the wood off the ground and covered from the rain but allowing air to circulate to facilitate drying. The exact time can vary based on the climate and weather conditions, but compared to other woods, ash is relatively low-maintenance when it comes to seasoning.
How to Split Ash Firewood?
Splitting ash firewood efficiently requires the right tools and technique. First, you’ll need a sturdy splitting axe or maul. For splitting thicker logs, it’s better to invest in a powerful splitting axe with a handle length of 915 millimeters, like the Fiskars X27 model.
(Read Fiskars Splitting Axe Review and Buyer’s Guide)
Ash wood is known for its straight grain, which makes it easier to split than woods with more complex grain patterns.
Begin by placing the ash log upright on a stable chopping block. Ensure that the area around you is clear to avoid any accidents. Examine the log and look for existing cracks; aligning your first strike with these cracks can make the task easier.
When you’re ready, hold the axe with both hands, one near the base of the handle and the other up near the axe head for control. Raise the axe over your head and bring it down in a smooth, controlled motion, aiming for the center of the log or along the crack. The straight grain of the ash should allow the axe to penetrate and split the wood along its natural lines.
If the wood doesn’t split on the first try, reposition the axe and strike again. It may take a few hits to completely split the log, especially if it’s large or has knots. Remember to always wear safety gear, including gloves and eye protection, when splitting wood.
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How Do You Identify an Ash Tree?
Ash (Latin: Fraxinus) is a genus of valuable timber plants in the Olive family. Its members are deciduous, with some subtropical species being evergreen flowering plants found in the Northern Hemisphere. They are present on the continents of Eurasia and North America, with one species growing in North Africa. The genus includes 65 species. In Russia, the most common are five of them: European ash, black ash, white ash, Manchurian ash, and narrow-leafed ash.
How to identify an ash tree? This tree has a straight trunk ranging from 25-60 meters in height, and occasionally it is a shrub, with a lacy round crown. The bark of the ash is soft and fuzzy, gray with fine cracks at the bottom of the trunk. Young shoots are yellowish-green. The wood is strong, dense, creamy-white or light brown in color, marred by a soft, rot-prone heartwood.
Ash trees have a robust root system that effectively binds soil particles, hence the plant is used for land reclamation. However, its root system varies in different ecological conditions. In the absence of moisture and with deep groundwater, ash trees develop a main root, strong lateral roots, and additional roots. The root system occupies both vertical and horizontal soil layers to fully utilize the water that enters it. When groundwater is close to the surface, the tree forms an anchor (surface) root system, where it is very difficult to distinguish the main root.
The leaves of the ash tree are arranged oppositely, or less commonly in whorls of three. They are pinnately compound, with no more than two pairs of lateral leaflets, and always have an odd terminal leaflet. In total, one axis can hold from 7 to 15 sessile or petiolate leaf plates. Some species have simple leaves. The leaflets are always thin, dark green, turning yellow in autumn.
Ash is a monoecious plant, less often dioecious, flowering before the leaves unfurl. It has hermaphroditic or unisexual flowers, collected in panicle inflorescences; female flowers are longer, petal-less, sometimes purple, while male ones are dark brown. Most ash flowers are greenish, but there are species with white lush inflorescences. In dioecious taxa, the sex can change from year to year, with pistillate flowers appearing one year and staminate the next. Stamens and pistils in flowers are often underdeveloped. There are usually 2 stamens in the flowers, but sometimes there may be 1 or 3.
Pollen is dispersed by wind and insects. Cross-pollination is common, with pistillate and staminate flowers that bloom on the same tree maturing at different times. During this period, ash pollen often causes contact dermatitis in people.
The fruit is a winged samara. It is lanceolate or elongated-elliptical, 350-450 mm long, and resembles a propeller blade in shape. The fruit structure is an important systematic feature of ash. To determine the species, one should study how its “wing” is positioned relative to the fruit and seed. In the American ash, the wing is apical, while in the green and black ash, it is located on the side of the fruit.
The fatty, protein-rich fruits, free of tannins, are favored by many animals: birds, rodents, and in North America, frog tadpoles feed on the samaras that fall into bodies of water.
Popular Types of Ash Trees
European Ash, or Common Ash (Latin: Fraxinus excelsior) A tree that can reach up to 30 meters in height, distinguished by its velvety black buds. Its leaves comprise 7 to 11 lanceolate or elliptical leaflets. This monoecious plant blooms in April-May with both male and bisexual flowers. The fruits are elongated, elliptical, rounded at the top, winged almost to the base, usually twisted, maturing from August until the next spring with the maximum leaf fall observed in December. The European Ash grows in broadleaf forests. Its timber is valued for its characteristics and is used in industry and woodworking. In the European part of Russia, only the timber of the Pedunculate Oak is more highly valued.
Green Ash (Latin: Fraxinus pennsylvanica) Originating from North America, this tree is used in Russia for landscaping, including for protective green belts. It spreads both independently and quickly becomes part of wild phytocoenoses, settling in wet places. It can be found in river floodplains, by roadsides, and in wastelands. It is used more often than the European Ash in plantings as it is more drought-resistant. It grows as a tree up to 20 meters tall, monoecious with pistillate and staminate flowers. The fruits are narrow, inversely lanceolate, with an almost flat seed nest. The wing is located on the side of the fruit. It flowers in April-May, and the fruits mature gradually, starting in August. Its young twigs are downy, with buds that are brown or orange. The leaves of the Green Ash have 5-7 lanceolate serrated leaflets on short petioles. The leaf blades are either bare or downy with reddish hairs along the veins on the underside.
Manchurian Ash (Latin: Fraxinus mandshurica) This species grows in the Russian Far East and reaches a height of 35 meters. Its bark is often brown or ash-grey with fine cracks and longitudinal ridges, but its coloration is variable. The wood resembles the color of walnut; it is heavy, tough, and hard. This is a dioecious plant with unisexual flowers, although bisexual flowers are occasionally found. It has 2-4 stamens. It blooms in May and bears fruit from September. The samara is 25-40 mm long, 5-9 mm wide, lanceolate, with a straight or oblique tip.
Distinguishing Ash from Boxelder (Maple)
The Boxelder can be a nuisance for those who confuse it with other plants, as it rapidly colonizes any available space with its suckers, and is nearly impossible to eradicate. While at first glance the leaves of these trees may look similar, the plants are quite easy to distinguish:
- The Ash always has a straight trunk with upward-pointing branches, whereas the Boxelder’s trunk and branches are often curved.
- The color of the Ash’s foliage is darker than that of the Boxelder.
- The shape of the Ash’s leaves is somewhat similar to those of the rowan, while those of the Boxelder are quite different.
- The Ash’s fruits are larger and single-winged, while those of the Boxelder are double-winged.
- The wood of the Ash is dense and hard, while that of the Boxelder is fibrous and watery, not having much value.
Disadvantages of Ash Firewood
While ash firewood has many advantages, it’s important to also consider its drawbacks. Due to its popularity and the devastation caused by the emerald ash borer, a pest that has decimated ash tree populations, the availability of ash firewood has decreased, which can make it more expensive or challenging to find.
Furthermore, because ash burns relatively quickly, you might find yourself replenishing your fire more often, which could be inconvenient for those looking for a low-maintenance fire. Also, while ash does burn hot, in extremely cold climates, a denser wood like oak might be preferred for its longer burn time and sustained heat output.
Environmental Considerations
Environmental ConsiderationsWhen using any type of firewood, it’s essential to consider the environmental impact. Ash trees have been facing significant threats from pests and diseases, which has led to a decrease in their population. When sourcing ash firewood, ensure it comes from a responsible supplier who follows sustainable harvesting practices to avoid contributing to the decline of ash tree forests.
Conclusion
Ash firewood is an excellent choice for many fireplace and hearth owners due to its clean burn, ease of ignition, and relatively quick seasoning time. While it may not burn as long as oak, its ability to reach a hot temperature quickly and with less preparation time makes it a favorite for many. However, it’s crucial to weigh the advantages against the potential disadvantages, such as its availability and cost.
When choosing ash firewood, always opt for wood that has been properly seasoned to ensure the best burning experience. And remember to consider the environmental impact of your choice and seek out suppliers who practice sustainable wood harvesting.
By understanding the properties of ash firewood, you can make an informed decision that suits your specific needs, whether for occasional fires on chilly evenings or for more regular use throughout the colder months. Ash firewood, with its combination of desirable qualities and ease of use, might just be the perfect addition to your hearth and home.
