Is Sweetgum Good for Firewood – Burning Questions About Sweetgum
Sweetgum is a common species of deciduous tree native to North America. It has a rapid growth rate known as the “chicken gum” because it’s often used as chicken feed. The wood has little to no commercial use, but it’s great for firewood. Sweetgum logs burn hot and fast with few sparks, so they’re good for campfires or fires in tight spaces like stoves or chimneys. They also produce very little ash compared to other hardwoods like oak or maple, which can be especially beneficial when trying to cook something over an open fire.
How Sweetgum Compares To Other Tress
Sweetgum is a great firewood choice because it burns well and is easy to split. Sweetgums are also known for their durability in harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for outdoor wood stoves and other heating applications.
If you’re wondering whether sweetgum is right for your personal needs, here are some things to keep in mind:
Because they have a high density, sweetgums are heavy and difficult to lift if you don’t have the proper equipment. If you’re looking for lighter sticks of firewood, consider using lighter woods like poplar or white ash instead. You’ll be able to carry more bundles of these types with less hassle.
Sweet gums grow quickly and live long. This makes them especially durable when exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as hail storms or torrential rains that could damage other types of trees nearby. You don’t need special tools or a skillset knowledge base; just chop down the trunk.
Also, sweetgum will not create a characteristic smell compared to other trees. This means you might not use it when you need scented smoke to make your space more welcoming. However, this is not a good reason to put off sweetgum when you need something that can heat your home when temperatures plummet.
Is Sweetgum Hard To Split?
Sweetgum has a density of about 470 pounds per cubic foot, which is on the high side of hardwood species.
It is not as hard as oak or hickory, but it’s harder than most pines and ash.
You’ll generally find that sweetgum splits easily with an axe or maul when it’s seasoned properly. But there are exceptions. Green sweetgum can be difficult to split due to its high resin content.
You can tell if a piece of sweetgum is green by tapping on it with a hammer. If the wood makes a “thunk” sound, it’s green.
It’s possible to make sweetgum easier to split by ensuring that it’s as seasoned as possible. It would be best if you also used the right gadget to split the logs without too much struggle.
Sweetgum Smoke Output
Sweetgum is a great wood to use when you want to smoke meats, fish, or even your home. It has a good heat output and also provides plenty of smoke. Sweetgum produces a lot of sap when it’s burned, leaving you with a sticky mess on your hands and tools.
However, the good news is that sweetgum burns well, so it’s easy to get rid of those extra juices before they burn up the meat on your grill too quickly. Using sweetgum as firewood for smoking food items, you can be sure that whatever meal you are cooking will come out delicious with an added layer of sweetness from its unique flavor profile.
How Long Do You Need To Season Sweetgum?
The length of time that sweetgum needs to season depends on the moisture content of the wood. The lower your wood’s moisture content, the faster it will dry.
Sweetgum is a slow-burning wood that needs to be seasoned for a long time compared to other woods. You should use this rule of thumb: if your sweetgum has a higher moisture content than 10 percent, you’ll need at least six months before it is ready for use as firewood. If your sweetgum has less than 10 percent moisture content, you may only need three months before it’s ready for use 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 valuable hardwoods on the market. 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 properties, making it an excellent choice during colder months since it will keep your house warm for hours after burning your firewood.
Does Produce Sparks?
Sweetgum is a slow-burning wood that produces enough heat. You’ll have to stack more of it on the fire to keep it going, but you’re burning more fuel and waiting longer for the fire to start up again. Sweetgum doesn’t split very well and is hard to light, so you’ll need to invest in another solid piece of wood if you want a quick start.
Sweetgum also produces a lot of sparks when struck with an axe or hammer, which can be dangerous around your home if there are other combustible materials nearby. Don’t use sweetgum for emergency heating because it will produce smoke but not enough heat for long periods.
Resin/Sap Content
One of the most important factors in determining whether a wood species is good or not is the resin content. Sweetgum has a high resin content, meaning it burns with a hot, long-lasting flame. Sweetgum also provides an excellent heat source compared to dense hardwoods such as oak, 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 messy when burning because it is hardwood. The wood burns cleanly with little ash, and the smell isn’t bad at all. No need to worry about any mess after it’s burned. You only need to sweep up some ashes during cleanup.
Sweetgum is great firewood because it burns cleanly, so you won’t have to worry about ash build-up in your chimney. Sweetgum burns so cleanly that it even leaves little to no smoke behind.
Is Sweetgum a Safe Firewood?
Sweetgum is safe firewood to burn in your fireplace or wood stove. Sweetgums are non-toxic and do not produce too many sparks, making them less messy to burn than other woods. Sweetgum contains low amounts of sap, which makes it easy to handle, even when wet.
Sweetgum does not produce a lot of smoke or ashes, making it ideal for burning in fireplaces and wood stoves. Sweetgum has a high heat value, making it an excellent choice for your fireplace or wood stove.
Is Sweetgum Firewood Expensive?
In the southeastern United States, sweetgum is a popular choice for firewood. This hardwood has a pleasant aroma and burns very hot, making it a desirable option for homeowners who want to use their woodstove or fireplace to heat their homes during the winter months. However, sweetgum wood can be difficult to find in stores and online. In addition, since it burns so well and is so hardy, there’s no incentive for most people to cut down trees just so they can gather fuel to burn at home.
Sweetgum firewood tends to be expensive compared with other types of firewood, such as maple or oak. It may be worth checking out local suppliers before heading off into the woods, hoping that you’ll find some sweetgum lying around somewhere. They may charge less if they feel like cutting down some trees themselves.
Where Can You Find Cheap Sweetgum Wood?
If you’re looking for inexpensive sweetgum firewood, your best bet is to find a local supplier or tree service. Most people who have access to sweetgum trees will be happy to sell their wood if they can get it cut and split ahead of time. You may also be able to find discount sweetgum logs online through websites like Craigslist or OfferUp.
Unfortunately, most merchants selling sweetgum wood don’t offer any deals on the price unless you buy in bulk. If you want your order delivered, this will cost more money too. However, if you want a good selection of options and live in an area where there aren’t many places that sell this type of fuel source, then ordering online may still save money overall due to shipping costs being included in price quotes from sellers outside town limits.
Pros and Cons of Using Sweetgum for Burning
Pros
- Hard to light
- No strong smell
- Safe to use
Cons- Expensive
- Burns faster
Conclusion
Sweetgum is a great firewood choice for anyone looking for a durable, versatile, and easy-to-light fuel source that can be used in any stove. It can burn hot and long with little ash production, making it an excellent choice for heating large spaces or outdoor events like campsites or barbecues. Sweetgum’s unique flavor profile also makes it more than just another type of wood; it provides a distinctive taste many people enjoy.
In a nutshell, sweetgum can do great when used as firewood, but there’re things you must do to enhance its quality. For instance, you must leave it to dry up well, and don’t expose it to a lot of wind when used in an open space because it might produce a lot of sparks. Sweetgum doesn’t have a characteristic smell. It also doesn’t produce a lot of smoke that might ruin your home.
