Ironbark wood is well praised in the timber world as it is very strong and durable. That is why you will find a lot of vintage furniture to be made of ironbark wood.
It is a type of eucalyptus tree and therefore derives from the myrtle family. As such, it tends to grow quite tall and favors cold areas even if there isn’t much moisture there.
So how does ironbark fare as firewood?
Ironbark firewood will burn very hot and very slowly. It is much denser than most other types of woods and is a great source of heat that creates few safety issues. However, you may find this heat to be too intense to stand for long.
What Are The Varieties Of Ironbark
Ironbark isn’t necessarily a single tree but rather refers to a type of tree along with other eucalyptus trees.
What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Ironbark
| Name | Ironbark |
| Heat per cord (Million BTUs) | 48.7 |
| Weight dry (lbs per cord) | 7072 |
| Weight green (lbs per cord) | 7310 |
| Seasoning time | 2+ years |
| Resin / Sap content | Moderate |
| Splitting Difficulty | Difficult |
| Smoke | Minimal |
| Smell | Smoky |
| Coal Production | Very good |
| Creosote Build-up | Minimal |
Does its Wood Split Easily?
The bark of ironbark trees acts as protection for the woods itself and is very difficult to split as it is so strong. Likewise, the wood itself tends to be very dense.
It is best to split ironbark trees while they are still green for these reasons. However, you will still want to use a hydraulic splitter if you can.
How Much Sap Does It Have?
Ironbark does not have a lot of sap in the wood itself. Instead, the sap tends to gather in the thick layers of bark to hold the layers together.
If you find an ironbark with a bark that seems to be ready to fall any moment, then the tree will start producing more sap to reinforce the bark. That is why it is best to avoid chopping those trees down, as their sap content will be at its highest.
How Does The Wood Smell?
Some people say that ironbark trees have quite a pleasant smell, much like a lightly smoking BBQ. Those who smell different still agree that the wood has a pleasant scent to it.
Heat Output And Efficiency Of Ironbark
Ironbarks tend to have some of the highest heat outputs, reaching BTUs of up to 48.7 million per cord.
Fire Characteristics Of Ironbark
Though the flames created by an ironbark are deceivably few and far between, their heat is substantial. An ironbark fire will last a very long time due to being dense and creating a very good bed of coals.
Better yet, ironbarks are clean burning if seasoned properly.
They will create very little smoke. The smoke they do produce will be light. This means there will be very little creosote build-up.
Is It Okay To Burn Ironbark In A Fireplace?
The worst thing about ironbarks is that they take a long time to ignite due to their density. Once you do get an ironbark fire burning, then they are an excellent source of heat.
You may find this heat to be too hot to use in an open fireplace. You can limit and cool the intensity of an ironbark fire by mixing it in with some cooler burning woods such as pine, alder, birch, or even tulip poplar wood.
How Long To Season Ironbark
Once you have removed the layers of bark from an ironbark tree, it will not take as long to season.
However, you can still expect to have to wait at least 2 years until an ironbark is fully seasoned. This will give it enough time to dry out any leftover sap reserves and season all the way through to the center of its density.
Pros And Cons of Ironbark Wood
Pros
- Very high heat
- Long burning time
- Good coal bed
- Little smoke
Cons
- Can be overwhelmingly hot
- Difficult to process
How Does Ironbark Compare To Other Firewood?
Ironbark trees mostly fall under the category of eucalyptus trees but they have one of the best burning characteristics.
However, hickory and black locust are much easier to access as firewood, thus are more widely used as firewoods.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Does BTU Stand For?
British thermal unit measures the amount of energy released by firewood. 1 BTU equals the amount of energy it takes to heat 1lb of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
What Is The Worst Type Of Wood To Burn
Softwoods that are very high in sap, like pine will smoke awfully, spark terribly and create an abundance of creosote without creating much heat. On the other side of the spectrum, poplar is not the most valuable wood along with driftwood, painted wood, or any type of wood that is treated.
Conclusion
Ironbarks refer to a collection of eucalyptus trees. Ironbark varieties are all very similar to each other when it comes to their burning characteristics. They produce very high heat while burning, at the same time ironbarks do not create a lot of smoke nor pop and spark as much as softwoods.
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I am the guy behind Theyardable.com. I grew up on a homestead and I am here to share the knowledge I have and things I learn while living in the countryside.
