Get Better Firewood From Fallen Trees and Old Logs
A tree comes down in the garden. A few old logs have been lying behind the shed for months. Or you have cleared branches after a storm and ended up with a pile of timber.
Before you send it all away, have a proper look at what is there. Some of that wood could become good firewood for the braai, fireplace, campsite or firepit. Other pieces are better chipped or left out of the fire completely. Knowing the difference means you get more use from the wood you already have.
Choose Wood That Is Worth Keeping
Good firewood starts with sound timber. If the wood is solid and not badly rotten, there is a good chance you can cut and season it for later use. Dense hardwoods generally burn longer and leave better coals. Lighter woods tend to catch quickly but burn through faster.
That does not make one good and the other useless. They simply have different jobs around a fire.
Know Which Overberg Trees Make Good Firewood
We have several tree species around the Overberg that can produce useful firewood when they are properly seasoned. Rooikrans is well known as firewood in the Western Cape. It is dense, burns hot and makes good coals. That makes it a popular choice for braais and fireplaces. As an invasive alien plant, clearing rooikrans can also form part of sensible land management. Black wattle can make good firewood too. Once properly dry, it burns well and gives useful heat. Larger pieces should be split to help them season. Blue gum and other eucalyptus can produce excellent firewood. The timber is dense and can burn for a long time. The important part is drying it properly. Fresh gum can hold plenty of moisture, and large rounds can take a long time to season. Oak is another very good option when available. It is dense and slow burning and can give a long-lasting bed of coals. Like gum, thick pieces need enough time to dry.
Use Pine for the Right Job
Pine is often treated as bad firewood, but that is too simple. Dry, untreated pine catches easily and burns quickly. That can make smaller pieces useful for starting a fire. It does not usually give the same long-lasting coals as dense hardwood, so you may go through it faster.
For indoor fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, properly seasoned wood and correct chimney maintenance matter. Burning wet wood of any species can increase smoke and deposits in the flue. Never burn treated pine, painted timber or old construction wood that may contain preservatives or other chemicals.
Keep Some Wood Out of the Fire
Not everything that looks like a log belongs in your fireplace or braai. Avoid badly rotten or mouldy timber. It generally gives poor heat and can produce a lot of smoke. Also stay away from painted, varnished, glued or chemically treated wood. That includes pallets if you do not know how they were treated or what they previously carried. Wood that is simply too wet should not be thrown away. Give it more time. Split it and stack it off the ground somewhere with good airflow. Once properly seasoned, it may become perfectly useful firewood.
Chip Whatever Does Not Make Good Firewood
Branches, smaller limbs, and awkward pieces do not always need to go onto the firewood pile. They may be better suited to on-site chipping. Wood chips can be useful around a property for paths, certain mulching jobs, and managing large amounts of suitable woody material after pruning or tree removal. There is an important catch. Invasive plant material needs to be handled properly, especially if it contains viable seeds or other material that could help the plant spread. Do not assume every load of chips should automatically be spread around the property. Good biomass management starts with knowing what you are dealing with.
Cut and Split Firewood Before Stacking It
A large fallen trunk will not season efficiently if it is simply left lying on the ground. Cut suitable sections into manageable rounds and split the bigger pieces. Splitting exposes more surface area to moving air and helps moisture escape. Stack the wood off damp ground. Keep rain off the top where possible, but allow air to move through the sides.
Drying time varies considerably depending on the species, thickness of the pieces, weather, and storage conditions. Instead of relying only on how long the wood has been stacked, check the wood itself. A moisture meter is useful if you burn firewood regularly. Around 20% moisture content or lower is a commonly used target for seasoned firewood.
Sort a Fallen Tree Before Clearing Everything
When a tree comes down, think of it as different types of material rather than one big waste pile. Keep sound trunk sections for firewood. Set aside suitable branches and smaller woody material for chipping. Separate invasive material that needs special handling. Keep treated or contaminated timber away from anything intended for burning. If a stump is left behind after the tree work, stump grinding can finish that part of the job too. For homeowners, farms, estates and working crews around Napier, Caledon, Greyton and the wider Overberg, sorting the timber before clearing it can save a lot of useful material.
Get More From the Wood You Already Have
A fallen gum could supply firewood for winter. Rooikrans can make excellent braai wood. Dry pine can help get the fire started. Smaller branches may be better through the chipper.
The important part is knowing what you have and giving each type of wood the right job.
OA Biomass helps Overberg property owners and working crews sort out the final stage of tree work with on-site chipping, stump grinding, and practical biomass management. Good timber gets used. The rest gets dealt with properly.
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