Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is one of the rarest trees, growing almost exclusively along the west coast of the US. Where it does grow, madrone blooms beautiful flowers during the spring months and then strawberries during the autumn.
However, though it is rare, madrone is a renewable species. So, is it worth burning such a rare tree, or should madrone be left where it blooms?
There is no doubt that madrone is the best wood to burn as long as you live in an area where it grows naturally. Its impressive 28 million BTUs per cord is generated very efficiently and will allow for a long-lasting, safe fire.
What Are The Varieties Of Madrone
Depending on where you live in the US, you may have heard madrone be called by different names. For example, the pacific madrone, Arbutus, or the strawberry tree.
As a species of the Ericaceae family, it does not have any notable variations of its own.
What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Madrone
| Name | Madrone |
| Heat per cord (Million BTUs) | 28.0 |
| Weight dry (lbs per cord) | 4066 |
| Weight green (lbs per cord) | 5100 |
| Seasoning time | 1 year |
| Resin / Sap content | Low |
| Splitting Difficulty | Moderate |
| Smoke | Little |
| Smell | Pleasant |
| Coal Production | Very good |
| Creosote Build-up | Little |
Does its Wood Split Easily?
It is better to split madrone while it is still wet as it will become extremely dense and hard once seasoned, much like apple firewood. Unlike other woods that can be stringy while fresh, Madrone will split easily without any mess or stinginess.
Do be aware that some madrones can become extremely knotty, which will make it harder to split. This is typically a case-by-case issue, but they do develop knots more easily than other woods as a species.
How Much Sap Does It Have?
Despite being a fruit-bearing tree, Madrone does not produce a lot of sap.
That being said, it will be better to harvest madrone trees during the winter months once their sap levels have been diminished in the months prior. But if you find a dead madrone tree at any other time of the year, it will hardly have any sap.
How Does The Wood Smell?
Madrone is known to produce a very pleasant smell while it burns. It is reminiscent of the smell of pine though it is not overwhelming, working as a good alternative for anyone with a sensitive nose.
Heat Output And Efficiency Of Madrone
As the hardest wood available on the west coast, mandora does outperform many other hardwoods in the areas where it grows.
It has an excellent BTU of 28, which can sometimes be a stifling heat but is certainly hot enough to keep your home warm on a cold winter’s night.
Fire Characteristics Of Madrone
Not only is it one of the hardest woods in the west of the US, but it also has some of the best coaling qualities of any wood. This means that a madrone fire can burn for a substantial amount of time, often through the night and then some.
Better yet, Madrone produces next to no ash. Its bark tends to have a strange habit of shredding as the tree matures, meaning that madrone firewood often has no bark resulting in less ash. However, over time the ash will add up and you will need to clean up your fireplace nevertheless. You can read more about how to dispose of the fireplace ash safely here.
The hardness of Madrone allows it to burn for hours at a time, keeping a steady heat.
It does so without producing any smoke as its levels of sap are substantially low, even for a hardwood. As such, you can expect little sparks and creosote build-up.
Is It Okay To Burn Madrone In A Fireplace?
Madrone is often favored over other hardwoods that it grows by as it is a safe bet to burn in any fireplace.
With such low levels of sap, a madrone fire is calm enough not to need a fire screen or a glass door. All you will need to do is get a fire going and leave Madrone to warm your home.
That being said, it can be hard to get Madrone to ignite quickly as it is so dense. This can be solved with a few pieces of softwood kindling.
How Expensive Is Madrone Firewood?
Because it prefers to grow on the west coast, Madrone will be the cheapest there. But anywhere else in the US, you can expect to have to pay out a premium price if you are looking to buy it as firewood.
Pros And Cons of Madrone Wood
Pros
- Extremely efficient heat
- Easy to prepare
- Minimal smoke
- Minimal creosote builds up
- Very high-quality coals
Cons
- Difficult to split when seasoned
- Very rare
How Does Madrone Compare To Other Firewood?
With such a high BTU and impressive burning times, it is no wonder that Madrone is more desirable than even oak even though some oak varieties like red oak burn slightly hotter.
If you do not live on the west coast, then the next best wood to Madrone that is far more common is hickory firewood which can burn hotter and has similar characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Madrone suitable for cooking?
Because of its pleasant smell, Madrone produces a great flavor for both grilling and smoking.
Is Madrone a hardwood?
Yes, it is the hardest wood on the west coast and classified as hardwood.
Is Madrone a sustainable wood?
When you cut down a madrone tree and leave the stump, due to its nature, it will grow back by itself. This makes it a sustainable, self-generating wood.
Conclusion
Although it is one of the rarest trees in the US, if you can get your hands on some madrone firewood, you will certainly get your money’s worth via its long-lasting fires. It generates an impressive 28 million BTUs of heat per cord, while not throwing sparks or generating much smoke.
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