Black locust or Robinia pseudoacacia L. is considered the best firewood for many reasons. Most individuals choose to use black locusts rather than more standard options like oak or ash for their fireplace.
But how good of a firewood black locust is? Let’s have a deeper look.
Black locust is an excellent firewood option because of its exceptional BTU rating of 27.9 along with low creosote and smoke emissions. Properly seasoned black locust generates more heat, burns for an extended time, and produces more coal than other readily available options.
Varieties Of The Locust Tree
There are many different varieties or genotypes of locust trees. The fundamental characteristics of the many types of locust trees are different. A few Locust tree species are grown exclusively for honey production, whereas others are cultivated for ornamental purposes due to their lovely appearance.
The two most popular locust species used as firewood are:
| Name | BTU (British Thermal Unit) | Weight Dry | Weight Green | Seasoning Time | Resin/ Sap Content | Splitting | Smoke | Smell | Coal Production |
| Black Locust Firewood | 27.9 | 3982 | 4614 | 6-12 months | Low | Moderate to Difficult | Low To medium | Slight | Excellent |
| Honey Locust Firewood | 26.7 | 3832 | 4640 | 12-18 months | Low | Easy | Low | Slight fragrant | Excellent |
Heat Output and Efficiency of Black Locust
Black locust is a fantastic firewood option. It is a top pick for everyone who knows about quality firewood because it generates a hot fire while emitting a low amount of smoke and does not produce much creosote in the process if seasoned correctly.
If you are worried about the fire burning too intense (which can happen), mix it in with different woods and don’t stock the stove full with a black locust.
Fire Characteristics Of Black Locust
1. Creosote Build-Up
Creosote is a byproduct of wood burning. Burning wood deposits a tar-like material inside the chimneys or anywhere near where it is frequently used over time.
Creosote accumulation can obstruct your chimney’s circulation and lead to unannounced fires.
Black locust is excellent firewood in this regard because it has lesser sap levels and produces less creosote than other highly sappy hardwoods.
2. Amount Of Smoke
Whenever black locust firewood is seasoned correctly, it emits relatively little smoke.
Black Locust is ubiquitous since it produces very little smoke, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
It’s also worth noting that wet wood can produce a lot of smoke when burnt.
3. Does It Produce Coals And Why It Is Important?
Yes, black locust produces high-quality coals. Black locust is, without a doubt, the best sort of wood for burning. It makes an impressive 27.9 million BTUs of heating every cord of seasoned wood.
In contrast, it is enough energy to heat 27.9 million lbs of water by one degree Farrenheit.
Is It Ok To Burn Black Locust In A Fireplace?
Black locust is one of the best choices when selecting wood to burn in a fireplace. Since it is of high quality, emits little to no soot, has a characteristic of generating less smoke, and does not throw sparks, black locust works best in this regard.
How Long to Season Black Locust Firewood?
In theory, Black Locust can be seasoned in 6-8 months in ideal conditions. However, seasoning Black Locust is to its recommended moisture level below 20% is usually accomplished over a year and a half.
Is Black Locust Firewood Expensive?
Comparably, black locust is expensive. Other woods are cheaper and easier to grow, making them less valuable. However, black locust takes time to season and lasts long enough for an average user who values it at a higher price.
One cord of black locust will set you back around 425 dollars of seasoned firewood.
Pros and Cons of Using Black Locust as Firewood
Black locust has more pros than cons.
- It is excellent firewood because it produces less smoke, more heat, and a high amount of coal.
- The wood doesn’t rot easily
- It provides the best value for money.
Some of the cons are:
- It is not easyly available
- Black Locust typically takes a lot more time to grow than other woods
- It is considered pricy.
How Does Black Locust Is Compared to Other Firewood?
Black locust produces the most heat in respect to other wood. Hickory, oak, and mesquite ranked as great firewoods are similar options (though not as intense as black locust).
Compared to pine or maple, which are also expected to produce a lot of smoke, black locust produces almost no smoke.
Moreover, the smell is essential when choosing firewood for indoor use. Black locust is the best in this regard because it doesn’t release an intolerable smell.
Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
Is Black Locust good indoor firewood?
Yes, it is the best choice, though because it burns intensely, it is recommended to mix it with lower-tier firewood like Sycamore.
What’s the difference between softwood and hardwood?
Hardwoods, such as oak, walnut, and maple, are vascular trees that reproduce with a blooming plant. Gymnosperm trees, including conifer, produce softwoods. Plants, such as pines and evergreens, have needle-like foliage that stays fresh all year rather than broad leaflets that fall every year. Trees that produce hardwood grow slowly, which means these trees are denser. The perfect example of a dense and durable hardwood tree is “Black Locus.”
Hardwoods are generally acquired from broadleaved trees such as hickory, maple or oak. Hardwood has a slower growth rate and is typically more expensive. Softwood on the other hand has a lower density and faster growth rate than most hardwoods. softwood would be trees like pine, spruce, and cedar.
Can I only use seasoned firewood for burning?
It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood for burning, especially in an indoor fireplace because of the amount of smoke and creosote green wood produces. Furthermore, greenwood does not burn as hot. The wet or moist nature of the firewood hinders its efficiency to generate heat.
How to store firewood?
First, always stack the firewood properly. This way, it is less likely to get infested with pests or other creatures. Secondly, make sure to keep it dry, in any case. Use a stable placing technique and avoid putting them haphazardly. Build a foundation to store the firewoods properly. Moreover, do not make the mistake of keeping the firewood indoors.
How to measure moisture content in my firewood?
Using a moisture measuring meter, push the conductors of the device into the wood. The conductivity between the electrodes will calculate the quantity of moisture in the wood.
Conclusion
The black locust tree is considered robust, dense, and heavy firewood. Black locust firewood produces very little smoke and plenty of coal and leaves little creosote. Seasoned black locust burns longer and has almost the lowest sap content when it comes to firewood.
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