Sweetgum is a common mintage of deciduous tree native to North America . It has a speedy growth charge per unit known as the “ chicken gum ” because it ’s often used as chicken feed . The forest has niggling to no commercial use , but it ’s bang-up for firewood . Sweetgum log burn live and profligate with few sparks , so they ’re secure for campfires or fires in sloshed spaces like range or chimneys . They also grow very little ash compared to other hardwoods like oak or maple , which can be especially beneficial when try out to cook something over an assailable fire .
How Sweetgum Compares To Other Tress
Sweetgum is a great firewood choice because it burns well and is easy to break up . Sweetgums are also known for their durability in abrasive weather stipulation , make them ideal for out-of-door woods stoves and other heating applications .
If you ’re wonder whether sweetgum is ripe for your personal needs , here are some thing to keep in mind :
Because they have a gamey compactness , sweetgums are clayey and difficult to rise if you do n’t have the right equipment . If you ’re reckon for lighter sticks of firewood , consider using lighter Wood like poplar or bloodless ash alternatively . You ’ll be able to hold more bundles of these types with less hassle .
sweetened gums grow promptly and live long . This makes them particularly durable when exposed to coarse weather shape , such as hail storms or torrential rains that could damage other types of trees nearby . You do n’t require special tools or a skillset knowledge base ; just hack down the trunk .
Also , sweetgum will not produce a characteristic smell equate to other trees . This means you might not apply it when you need sweet smoke to make your space more welcoming . However , this is not a undecomposed reason to put off sweetgum when you need something that can heat your rest home when temperatures plummet .
Is Sweetgum Hard To Split?
Sweetgum has a density of about 470 pounds per three-dimensional foot , which is on the eminent side of hardwood coinage .
It is not as concentrated as oak or hickory , but it ’s harder than most pines and ash .
You ’ll generally discover that sweetgum split well with an ax or sledgehammer when it ’s flavor properly . But there are exceptions . unripened sweetgum can be difficult to split due to its high resin content .
you’re able to tell if a spell of sweetgum is greenish by tapping on it with a mallet . If the wood make a “ thunk ” audio , it ’s green .
It ’s possible to make sweetgum easier to split by ensuring that it ’s as seasoned as possible . It would be unspoilt if you also used the right gadget to split the log without too much struggle .
Sweetgum Smoke Output
Sweetgum is a gravid wood to employ when you want to fume meats , Pisces , or even your habitation . It has a good heat output and also provides plenty of smoke . Sweetgum acquire a fate of sap when it ’s glow , leaving you with a sticky mess on your hands and tools .
However , the good news is that sweetgum burn well , so it ’s promiscuous to get free of those extra juices before they burn up the meat on your grill too quickly . Using sweetgum as firewood for fume solid food items , you’re able to be sure that whatever repast you are cook will come out delicious with an add layer of sweetness from its unique flavor visibility .
How Long Do You Need To Season Sweetgum?
The length of time that sweetgum needs to season depends on the moisture depicted object of the wood . The lower your Mrs. Henry Wood ’s moisture depicted object , the faster it will dry out .
Sweetgum is a easy - burn Sir Henry Wood that need to be seasoned for a long time compared to other woods . You should use this ruler of thumb : if your sweetgum has a gamey moisture content than 10 pct , you ’ll need at least six months before it is quick for employment as firewood . If your sweetgum has less than 10 percent moisture content , you may only need three months before it ’s ready for utilisation as firewood .
Sweetgum Heat Output (BTUs)
The heat output of sweetgum firewood is very high . It ranges from 20 to 21 million BTUs per cord , making it one of the most worthful hardwoods on the mart . The wood burns cleanly and produces a long - lasting flame with little smoke compared to other hardwoods such as oak and hickory . Sweetgum also has good insulating property , making it an excellent choice during colder calendar month since it will keep your house warm for hours after cauterize your firewood .
Does Produce Sparks?
Sweetgum is a slow - burn woods that produces enough rut . You ’ll have to stack more of it on the fire to keep it going , but you ’re bite more fuel and waiting longer for the fire to part up again . Sweetgum does n’t rive very well and is hard to light , so you ’ll require to invest in another solid piece of Sir Henry Joseph Wood if you want a warm starting line .
Sweetgum also get a lot of glint when struck with an ax or malleus , which can be dangerous around your home if there are other combustible material nearby . Do n’t employ sweetgum for emergency heating because it will grow smoke but not enough heat for long flow .
Resin/Sap Content
One of the most important factor in find whether a wood species is undecomposed or not is the rosin subject matter . Sweetgum has a high resin content , imply it burns with a spicy , long - lasting fire . Sweetgum also provide an splendid heat source compared to heavy hardwoods such as oak tree , pine , and hickory .
Is Sweetgum Ash Messy?
There is a lot of confusion about how messy sweetgum is , and you need to get this clear before you choose to use sweetgum to heat your home or campsite .
Sweetgum is not mussy when burn because it is hardwood . The woodwind combust cleanly with small ash , and the olfaction is n’t bad at all . No penury to worry about any good deal after it ’s burned . You only call for to brush up some ash tree during cleanup .
Sweetgum is great firewood because it sunburn cleanly , so you wo n’t have to care about ash tree build - up in your chimney . Sweetgum incinerate so cleanly that it even leaves little to no smoke behind .
Is Sweetgum a Safe Firewood?
Sweetgum is safe firewood to burn in your hearth or wood stove . Sweetgums are non - toxic and do not produce too many Muriel Spark , make them less messy to burn than other Sir Henry Joseph Wood . Sweetgum contains low-toned amount of sap , which makes it easy to treat , even when stiff .
Sweetgum does not bring out a lot of smoke or ash , making it idealistic for burning in fireplaces and Mrs. Henry Wood stoves . Sweetgum has a high heat time value , making it an excellent choice for your open fireplace or wood stove .
Is Sweetgum Firewood Expensive?
In the southeast United States , sweetgum is a democratic pick for firewood . This hardwood has a pleasant odor and burns very hot , make it a desirable option for homeowners who desire to use their woodstove or fireplace to heat their homes during the winter months . However , sweetgum wood can be difficult to obtain in stock and online . In addition , since it burn so well and is so unfearing , there ’s no incentive for most people to cut down trees just so they can gather fuel to combust at home .
Sweetgum firewood incline to be expensive compare with other types of firewood , such as maple or oak . It may be worth check out local supplier before heading off into the woods , hoping that you ’ll get some sweetgum lying around somewhere . They may load less if they feel like cutting down some Tree themselves .
Where Can You Find Cheap Sweetgum Wood?
If you ’re looking for inexpensive sweetgum firewood , your good bet is to find a local provider or tree armed service . Most people who have access to sweetgum tree will be happy to sell their Ellen Price Wood if they can get it slue and split ahead of time . You may also be able to find discount sweetgum log online through websites like Craigslist or OfferUp .
unluckily , most merchants selling sweetgum wood do n’t declare oneself any deals on the monetary value unless you buy in bulk . If you want your order delivered , this will cost more money too . However , if you require a ripe survival of options and live in an area where there are n’t many places that deal this type of fuel root , then ordering online may still save money overall due to shipping costs being include in price citation from vendor outside town limits .
Pros and Cons of Using Sweetgum for Burning
Pros
Conclusion
Sweetgum is a large firewood choice for anyone looking for a long-lived , various , and easy - to - light fuel source that can be used in any cooking stove . It can burn down hot and farsighted with little ash production , realize it an fantabulous choice for fire up big spaces or outdoor events like campsites or barbecues . Sweetgum ’s unique flavor visibility also makes it more than just another type of wood ; it provides a classifiable taste many the great unwashed enjoy .
In a nutshell , sweetgum can do great when used as firewood , but there ’re things you must do to enhance its quality . For case , you must leave it to dry up well , and do n’t expose it to a lot of wind when used in an open infinite because it might grow a luck of spark . Sweetgum does n’t have a characteristic smell . It also does n’t create a lot of smoke that might ruin your home .
