Beechwood is a popular type of firewood because it burns slowly and evenly. But what else do you need to know about beech wood before you add it to your fireplace? In this Post, we’ll cover everything from the benefits of using beech wood to the best way to store it.
Contents
What is beech wood?
Beechwood is a type of hardwood that is commonly used for making furniture and other wood products. It is also a popular choice for firewood, as it burns hot and slow, making it ideal for heating homes and businesses. But what exactly is beech wood, and is Beech good firewood?
Beechwood comes from the beech tree, which is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The tree grows to a height of 50-80 feet and has a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet.
- The bark is smooth and gray, with small, linear-shaped leaves that are arranged in pairs along the branches.
- The leaves are dark green in color and turn yellow or brown in the fall.
- Its flowers are small and inconspicuous, with both male and female flowers growing on the same tree. The fruit is a small, triangular nut that is encased in a thin, papery wing.
Beech trees are typically found in mixed forests, where they grow alongside other hardwoods such as oak and maple. The trees can live for up to 400 years, making them an excellent choice for furniture construction, burning, and other long-lasting products.
Is Beech Good Firewood?
Beechwood burns hot and slow, making it an excellent choice for firewood.
Beechwood is light in color, ranging from pale yellow to pinkish brown. The grain is straight and close, with a fine texture and a high natural luster. Beech wood is strong and hard, yet also flexible and shock-resistant.
The high heat content makes it ideal for heating homes and businesses, while the slow-burning nature ensures that the fire will last for a long time. Beechwood also produces very little smoke when burned, making it a good choice for indoor fires.
One of the main reasons why beech is such a good type of firewood is because it has a high density. This means that there is more wood per cubic foot, so you’ll get more heat from beech wood than you would from other types of firewood.
If you’re looking for good quality firewood, beech is definitely worth considering. It’s widely available and easy to find, and it will give you superior results when burned in your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
What are the benefits of burning beech wood?
There are many benefits to burning beech wood:
- For one, beech is a very dense wood, so it burns hot and slow. This makes it ideal for heating homes and other buildings.
- Additionally, beech wood produces very little smoke, so it is a great choice for those who are sensitive to smoke.
- Finally, beech wood is very easy to find and harvest, making it a renewable resource.
Are there any drawbacks to using beech wood as firewood?
If you’re looking for a hardwood to use as firewood, beech is a great option. As a solid wood that burns hot and slow, it’s perfect for maintaining a fire for an extended period of time. However, there are a few things to make before you start working with beech wood:
- First, beech trees can take up to 80 years to mature, so it’s not the most sustainable option if you’re looking for firewood.
- Second, beech wood can be difficult to split and light, so it’s not the best choice if you’re looking for easy-to-use firewood.
Overall, beech is a good option for firewood if you’re looking for a hot-burning, long-lasting wood. Just keep in mind that it’s not the most sustainable or easy-to-use option.
Where can I get beech wood for my fireplace?
If you’re looking for beech wood for your fireplace, your best bet is to head to a local lumberyard or home improvement store. You may also be able to find it for sale online. Once you have your beech wood, make sure to split it into small pieces so that it will burn well in your fireplace.
What is The BTU Of Beech Good?
Beech has a 27.5 BTU, which is a quite high value. Thus, beech wood is one of the greatest forms of firewood available for heating your home once it has been properly seasoned.
Beechwood is a significantly more suitable option for firewood than many readily available forms of firewood because many “excellent” firewood varieties have a BTU of only 18 to 20.
Due to its naturally low moisture content, beech has a high BTU and is difficult to equal in terms of heat output with other hardwoods after being properly seasoned.
How Long Does Beech Firewood Need To season?
Beech firewood has a significant drawback in that it requires more time to season than some of the greatest firewood options available.
The majority of “excellent” firewood needs at least six to nine months to season correctly and become burnable. Beech, on the other hand, needs at least a year to dry out and season correctly; for maximum BTUs and minimal smoke, it is even advised that you let it season for up to two years.
Does Beech wood produce Resin/Sap:
Beech is frequently regarded as great firewood, in part because of its incredibly low natural moisture content of 12%. To put this into perspective, consider that most firewood only dries to a moisture percentage of 20% or slightly lower after seasoning and drying.
When dried and seasoned, beech has an even lower and drier moisture content level, which is difficult to match and explains why the wood has such a high BTU.
How to store and burn Beech firewood
Beech firewood is a great way to heat your home in the winter. But before you can enjoy the warmth of a cozy fire, you need to know how to store and burn beech firewood. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your beech firewood:
- Store your beech firewood in a dry, well-ventilated place. If you live in a humid climate, it’s especially important to make sure the wood is completely dry before storing it, as damp wood is more likely to rot.
- Once your beech wood is properly dried and stored, it will burn hot and slow, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor fires.
- If possible, stack your beech firewood off the ground to prevent it from getting damp.
- Season your beech firewood for at least six months before burning it. This will help it burn more efficiently and produce less smoke.
- When it’s time to build a fire, use only dry, seasoned beech wood. Green or unseasoned wood will smoke heavily and won’t burn as well.
- Beech wood should be cut into logs that are about 18 inches long. This will make it easier to stack and will help the logs burn more evenly.
- Don’t overload your fireplace or wood stove with too much wood at once. A small, hot fire is better than a big, smoky one.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the warmth and beauty of a beech wood fire all winter long!
Conclusion
In the end, we concluded that beech is an excellent type of firewood. It burns slowly and evenly, providing long-lasting heat. It also has a low smoke output, making it ideal for indoor use.