Nothing is as cozy and pleasurable as sitting in front of a fire on a cool night. If you are looking for good and efficient firewood for your cozy fire, you should consider the benefits of ash firewood. Ash produces high heat output and is easy to split. It creates less smoke and creosote and has many other advantages. Ash is a popular firewood for consumers who rely on wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. Ash firewood may become your first choice because of cost, sustainability, and other considerations. Here is everything you need to know to decide if ash firewood suits you.
Species of Ash Firewood
If you wish to buy ash firewood, there are several species of ash to choose from. Different species of ash trees have specific characteristics that influence the quality of firewood they produce. Some common ash tree varieties include:
White Ash
White ash trees produce superior firewood known for first-rate burning characteristics. White ash burns evenly and provides high heat output to heat your space efficiently. It produces low smoke emissions and is widely available.
Green Ash
Green ash also produces good firewood, known for its ability to ignite easily. It produces consistent heat and serves indoor stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor fire pits. Users can easily split green ash, and it has a pleasant aroma when burning. Overall, green ash is a good, versatile firewood.
Black Ash
Black ash produces high heat and burns for an extended time, making it a good choice for homes that rely on wood-burning heat. Because of its ability to burn for long periods, black ash firewood is a good heat source.
Blue Ash
Blue ash firewood is dense and known for steady burning. Its distinct color, aroma, and appearance make an appealing fire. Blue ash is a good choice for indoor or outdoor fires.
Where Is Ash Firewood Harvested?
Many consumers are concerned about the source of their firewood. One big advantage is the tremendous abundance of ash trees throughout North America. Ash trees grow in climate zones 2-9, allowing them to be planted and harvested almost anywhere in the U.S. The U.S. boasts many species of ash, which are native and grow widely. Most of the ash harvested in North America is white ash, but many other varieties exist. White ash is native to the Eastern and Central parts of the United States. Mississippi has more of these trees than any other state, with 329 million ash trees of various species. Oregon and Washington also produce large amounts of wood, including ash. However, they are harvested throughout the U.S. and North America.
Benefits of Ash Firewood
Ash firewood has many benefits, including:
Burn Temperature
Ash firewood burns hot and long. With a BTU output rating of 24 million per cord, ash is a powerhouse for heat production. Ash burns steadily for longer than many other kinds of wood, making it a sought-after choice for homes that rely on wood-burning heat.
Low Smoke Production
Ash firewood burns cleanly, which is vital for low smoke production. Because ash has a low moisture content, which is even lower when seasoned, it burns evenly and without much smoke. This results in a more appealing home environment with fewer concerns about air quality.
Lower Creosote Production
Ash firewood’s clean-burning qualities also mean it produces less creosote. Less creosote results in a safer and cleaner burning environment with less need for cleaning, which is particularly helpful for good chimney maintenance.
Burns Well Unseasoned (Green)
While seasoning firewood is always preferable, you can burn ash green when necessary. The low moisture content of ash firewood enhances this ability to burn green.
Useful for Smoking Foods
Buyers looking for versatile firewood should note that people frequently use ash for smoking foods. Ash has a light and mild aroma that produces a unique taste when used to smoke foods. It can enhance foods cooked on an open fire or in a smoker. For those who love the unique flavor and aroma, ash firewood is a great choice.
Issues With Ash Firewood
While ash firewood is a good choice for most consumers, it does have some issues. Some of those possible issues include:
Recent Issues with Availability.
While ash trees make superior firewood, they are susceptible to insect infestations. Most recently, ash trees have been lost to pests like the ash borer. This pest can damage the trees, leading to poor quality or tree loss. Despite growing everywhere in North America, ash has recently seen some availability issues due to ash borer infestations.
Moderate Burn Time
Despite having a high heat output and a good burn time, ash burns faster when compared to oak and some hardwoods. This means you must replenish the firewood more frequently to maintain a steady fire with ash as opposed to oak. But remember that ash burns much longer than many other firewoods at much higher price points.
Less Aroma
Unlike cedar and oak, which have strong aromas, ash has a mild and mellow smell when burned. For those who prefer a fire with a strong aroma, the mild aroma of ash may be disappointing.
Because it has minimal drawbacks, ash firewood remains a great choice in firewood for most consumers.
Environmental Impact/Sustainability
Ash has the advantages of a low environmental impact and a high level of sustainability. It grows quickly, which allows for greater growth and availability of ash firewood. If it is responsibly and sustainably harvested, burning it becomes a sound environmental choice.
It may surprise many that sustainable firewood has a lower carbon footprint than many other fuels. Firewood from sustainably managed forests eliminates more carbon dioxide gas than it produces through later burning. This means that sustainably raised firewood is carbon neutral or even carbon negative (that is, it eliminates carbon).
To ensure you get sustainable firewood, you should buy renewable firewood. This means the wood is harvested in a way that enhances the long-term health of forests. Simply, this means that a tree is planted for every tree harvested. Forest health is more complicated than that, but as a principal, firewood is sustainable if grown and harvested to enhance forest health.
Forest health for these trees has become more complicated in recent years because of ash borer infestations. However, responsible growing and harvesting can prevent the spread of these invasive species and enhance long-term forest health.
Cost of Ash Firewood
Cost is an important consideration when deciding what firewood is best for you. The price of firewood can vary greatly, depending on location, time of year, and availability. It ranges in price from $150 to $450 per cord and is cost-effective compared to other woods.
Remember that heat output is important when comparing firewood costs. Some woods with greater costs burn slowly and put out large amounts of heat. Other woods (pine, for example) burn quickly and put out less heat. Therefore, it is important to consider the burning qualities of wood to determine if it is cost-effective.
The average price for a cord of seasoned firewood varies widely depending on the type of wood. Price ranges for common wood types are:
- Ash Firewood: $260 to $490
- Oak Firewood: $300 to $550
- Maple: 280 to $520
- Birch: $270 to $500
- Pine: $120 to $250
- Cedar: $150 to $300
- Hickory: $320 to $580
It is competitive with other firewoods and often has a lower price point. However, when heat output is considered, it puts out as much heat as oak or maple and often comes at a lower price point. Ash is superior to other commonly available firewoods for heat output, especially poplar, cedar, spruce, and pine.
One potential cost-saving strategy with is to purchase unseasoned wood, which costs $160 to $300 per cord, and season it yourself. Because ash seasons much more quickly than other woods and can be burned green in a pinch, this strategy might prove effective for some cost-conscious customers with the space and ability to hold larger amounts of wood.
Why Ash Firewood Is a Solid Choice
Yes! It is a good go-to choice in firewood for most consumers. It burns hot and produces a lot of heat at a modest price point. It burns cleanly and produces less smoke and creosote. Ash grows quickly in most North American locations and can be harvested sustainably. Although it has faced challenges with ash borer infestations, it is commonly available. Ash wood produces a mild aroma that many people find appealing and can be used to smoke foods. It has the advantage of low moisture, which means it can be burned green and seasons relatively quickly. Compared to other commonly available firewoods, ash firewood produces more heat at a lower price. Overall, ash is a superior choice in firewood for most people.
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