Anyone who is interested in warming their house with firewood will need to find the right type of wood. After all, some wood is not suitable for this specific purpose. Sycamore is a very popular wood and it is a top choice for people who intend to use a wood stove in their home. Before rushing out and cutting a sycamore tree, you should take the time to learn a little more about this wood.
Is it going to make a suitable firewood? Or, is this wood even worth your time and energy? The answers will be provided in the in-depth guide below.
Is Sycamore Good Firewood
Sycamore is a good firewood. However, sycamore is not right for all situations. Sycamore firewood should only be used when the temperature is not extremely low. As long as the temperatures are not excessively cold, sycamore will make a good firewood.
If the temperatures are too low, you’re going to need to choose something else. The good news is that Sycamore is pretty easy to burn.
When you’re in a hurry, you shouldn’t have a whole lot of trouble getting your Sycamore wood lit. This type of wood is going to offer a decent amount of heat.
The amount of heat provided is similar to what you would expect from elm, walnut and even red maple. Oak and ash trees are going to provide more heat. It is generally best to mix sycamore with other types of wood to get the best results.
Splitting Sycamore Firewood
Sycamore is good firewood. However, it comes with a few minor problems. One of the most notable is the fact that this type of wood is going to be a little more difficult to split.
Unless you have the right tools, there is a good chance that you’re going to struggle a bit to split this type of wood. If you’re using industrial equipment or an automatic splitter, you won’t have too much trouble at all.
Sycamore Firewood Seasoning
Before you can begin burning firewood, it is pertinent to be patient. Be sure to give the wood plenty of time to dry and season. Certain wood types are going to take a little bit longer to season than others. So, how does sycamore stack up to the competition?
Well, there are some perks associated with sycamore. The only downside is that this type of wood is very heavy. When it is wet, it is going to be very heavy. It becomes lighter as it gets drier.
Just remember that it is going to take a little bit longer to season.
If you want to make absolutely sure it’s dry enough to burn, get yourself a moisture meter like these from Amazon, Moisture Meter. Make sure the moisture content is below 20% and it’s safe to burn.
Sycamore Firewood BTU
Now, it is time to learn about the BTU rating of sycamore wood. Remember that the heat content is based on a cord of sycamore. For a cord or sycamore, you’re going to receive 19.1 BTUs.
The weight of a cord is going to weigh a little under 3,000 pounds. Sycamore is not the hottest burning wood, but it is a good firewood when combined with others.
Conclusion
Sycamore firewood is good, but not great. It has some flaws that bring down its effectiveness as a firewood. For instance, the wood takes a tad bit longer to season and it doesn’t get very hot.
Also, it is going to be very heavy when the wood is wet. Still, it burns pretty easily and it is good when mixed with others. As long as you know this ahead of time, this wood is going to be a good choice for you.