River birch firewood is good for firewood. It is a versatile fuel that can be used for both heating and cooking. It's also one of the most popular types of wood in the US, with an estimated 13% of all homes using it as their primary source for heat or cooking.
River birch is typically sold by volume, which makes it easier to buy if you don't have access to a sawmill. The best time to cut down river birch trees is in winter - when they're dormant - because they'll dry out much faster than during summer months when water content levels are higher.
How to select the best river birch firewood
When purchasing firewood, remember to ask suppliers about their return policy and how long they're willing to stand behind the product before expiration or damage causes it to lose quality. Buying from reputable companies that provide receipts can also help you track what you've purchased in case of dispute or concerns about how wood is handled (e.g. if the supplier receives wood wet, does he use dry kilns for seasoning).
Factor #1: Seasoned vs green - seasoned wood has been stored for at least six months, allowing water content to evaporate from the trunk; green wood contains high amounts of moisture; green wood may contain hidden pests that aren't a threat to humans but will affect heating space temperature
Factor #2: Cost per cord - buying river birch firewood in larger lots like a half or full cord can save you money. Buying small quantities of river birch can be very expensive.
Factor #3: Insect infestations - make sure the firewood is not infested with bugs. River birch is known to attract bugs if it is not stored and dried properly.
Factor #4: Availability - some firewood suppliers are only open seasonally while others keep regular business hours; keep in mind that some places may have more limited hours during winter months when demand for heat is highest
Factor #5: Quality of wood - splintering, rotting, mold damage or insect infestation can all lead to poorly-constructed fires; make sure you understand the return policy before buying firewood from a supplier
Where can you find river birch
River birch is known for its beautiful gray bark and greenish-yellow leaves. It has smooth, thin leaves with an oval shape. The flowers of the tree are unisexual and grow in clusters. The seed cones have a triangular shape and contain winged seeds.
This tree is widespread across North America and grows near waterways such as rivers, ponds, and swamps. It can grow to more than 80 feet tall, with the trunk reaching up to 5 feet in diameter.
Is river birch firewood hardwood or softwood
River birch is a hardwood. It's has a hardness rating of 1260 on the Janka Hardness scale. River birch is fairly dense wood - weighing 42 lbs per cubic foot.
River birch firewood BTUs
River birch firewood is known to burn very hot. There is mixed information about its actual BTU rating. From what I can find, river birch produces somewhere between 20 and 26 million BTUs per cord.
Splitting and seasoning river birch firewood
River birch is a little difficult to split. For larger pieces, you may want to store them as rounds. If you store your river birch rounds with the bark on them, you run the risk of it rotting. You should score the outside of the bark before storing river birch firewood so the bark will curl and fall off.
When splitting the wood, cut the trunk down further if it's a large tree and turn it into multiple logs of more manageable size. If you don't have access to a sawmill, use a chainsaw or bow saw to cut the river birch into smaller pieces for easier storage and transportation. Use caution when cutting - always wear gloves and safety glasses to prevent injury from flying debris.
Burning river birch firewood
River birch firewood can be used any time of year to warm your home or enjoyed outside. Use river birch firewood in the fall as a shoulder wood. Use it in the winter as your main fuel or mix it with other hardwoods.
When burning river birch firewood indoors, ensure you have adequate ventilation leading outside of your home so smoke can escape before reaching people and pets. Use care if attempting to burn wet wood; it will emit more smoke due to high moisture content and is best used for outdoor fires where airflow is more unrestricted.
Does river birch firewood make sparks
Some sparks are produced when burning river birch firewood. Try to use drier wood to reduce the sparks. Wet river birch firewood will make more sparks than when it is dry.
How much does river birch firewood cost
When buying river birch firewood, there are several factors you should consider:
Cost per cord - the amount you pay for river birch firewood will directly depend on the region, size of purchase, and supplier. Generally, river birch firewood is affordable compared to other hardwoods.
You should also consider the seasonality of river birch firewood as it will affect availability and cost: Wood is typically sold by weight but you need to determine how long the entire process will take (harvesting, cutting up logs, drying out before burning). The longer it takes for wood to reach its final product, the higher the price tag.
River birch firewood will cost more in the winter because demand increases for this resource during winter months when everyone's trying to stay warm. You will be able to get a lot better price if you buy river birch firewood in the spring or summer.
When buying river birch firewood, it's important to consider quality as well as quantity. Depending on the supplier, there are several grades of river birch firewood:
- Premium river birch firewood - low moisture, bug infestation, and ideal for heating indoor spaces quickly
- Good river birch firewood - average moisture levels but may contain some common pests that aren't a threat to humans
- Standard river birch firewood - higher than average moisture and commonly sold at lower rates for outdoor fires
- Inferior river birch firewood - higher than average moisture and insect infestations. Use this wood for outside fires or mixed into other types of firewood to dilute its effect on heating space temperature.
To ensure you're buying the best-quality river birch firewood, it's important to perform a basic inspection before purchase: Look for any signs of mold or rot (signs include rust spots or visible damage to bark)
Is river birch firewood good to burn in a fireplace, fire pit, stove, or campfire
You can burn river birch in any of your indoor or outdoor appliances or in a campfire.
To see if river birch is the right type of wood for you, check with local suppliers who can give you more information on how to find it, its price per cord and moisture levels.
It's important that you know what types of fuel are suitable for your particular heating appliance before making a purchase as well as your level of expertise in using such appliances (e.g. some ovens may be more difficult than others). Make sure to read instructions carefully and stay safe by following safety procedures recommended by manufacturers or suppliers .
How does river birch firewood smell when it is burned
River birch firewood has a very pleasant smell that isn't too smokey or strong, making it ideal for indoor fires. Wet river birch tends to not have as nice of a smell as well seasoned.
Does river birch firewood smoke
Wet river birch wood is high in moisture content which causes it to burn slower than other types of wood and emit more smoke during combustion due to incomplete burning. This can make river birch difficult for novice campers if it hasn't been seasoned.
What is river birch wood good for
The wood has also been used in many different types of furniture including cabinets, chairs, tables, and bowls.
Is river birch good firewood summary
River birch is a good choice to use as firewood. It is readily available in most of North America. River birch is a little difficult to split, but nothing you can't handle. It gives off a good smell when it is seasoned well and burned. Be careful how you store river birch firewood, though. It can rot very easily if it is not exposed to the right airflow.
