Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is a species of a willow tree, belonging to the genus of salix. As a tree, it tends to have a short life span of as little as 40 years, but it grows rapidly during that time.
Like most willows, the weeping willow is able to grow in most kinds of soils but prefers cold and wet environments. It is native to China, so it is not as common as other willow species in the US. Is it worth burning if you do get your hand on some weeping willow firewood?
Weeping willow does not fare much better than other willow varieties. Its moderate 17.6 BTU is unsustainable during cold weather while producing a lot of smoke. Once seasoned, it does make a great source for kindling.
What Are The Varieties Of Weeping Willow
As a variety of willow itself, weeping willow does not yield any sub-species.
It is not common enough in the US to have location depending characteristics, so you can expect the same kind of fire and burning quality from weeping willow firewood no matter where you are in the US.
What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Weeping Willow
| Name | Weeping Willow |
| Heat per cord (Million BTUs) | 17.6 |
| Weight dry (lbs per cord) | 2298 |
| Weight green (lbs per cord) | 4250 |
| Seasoning time | 1 – 2 years |
| Resin / Sap content | Very high |
| Splitting Difficulty | Very easy |
| Smoke | Considerable |
| Smell | Unpleasant |
| Coal Production | Poor |
| Creosote Build-up | High |
Does its Wood Split Easily?
The weeping willow is a type of hardwood but has a very light density. Partly because it grows quickly so the wood itself is not given enough time to become dense before it matures. It is better to focus on the branches or trunk itself when splitting weeping willow wood.
The crooks of the tree, such as the areas that connect the branches to the trunk, are practically hard to split. The wood is not necessarily denser here, just more durable.
Either way, you can be assured that weeping willow will be an easy split. You will only need a sturdy hand ax to split its wood in most cases.
How Much Sap Does It Have?
The sap of a weeping willow is quite peculiar.
It produces a lot more sap than would be expected of hardwood. Rather than being sticky like pine sap, the sap of a weeping willow is very wet and almost milky.
The level of acidity within the sap is very high – which is common for willow sap. This acidity isn’t toxic but is able to fight off pathogens and diseases in humans.
Still, this sap does cause some problems like any other type of sap when burnt.
How Does The Wood Smell?
Nobody can seem to agree on how a weeping willow smells.
Some people cannot stand the smell of weeping willow; others can tolerate it. Either way, it is not a very pleasant-smelling wood. I do not mind it to be honest.
Heat Output And Efficiency Of Weeping Willow
For hardwood, weeping willow has a poor heat efficiency. Its BTU of 17.6 is hot enough to heat up a room but the fire will not last very long. During cold winter months, it can become quite annoying to constantly maintain the fire.
While 17.6 can be considered a moderate heat output for any wood, it is not enough a lot of times.
Fire Characteristics Of Weeping Willow
Due to its high sap content, weeping willow will produce a lot more smoke than you would expect from hardwood.
This is also because of the high moisture content within the sap, so make sure to season the wood fully to minimalize the amount of smoke it produces.
While the smoke released by weeping willow firewood will not be as sticky smoke as is produced by maple but will still create a build-up of creosote as the sap particles within the smoke cling to chimneys and flutes.
Weeping willow burns moderately hot but very fast. Its light density means that the flames quickly burn through its wood.
Such a rapid burn does not yield many usable coals. Instead, you will find lots of soot and ash within your fireplace which will need to be cleared away before starting another fire.
Is It Okay To Burn Weeping Willow In A Fireplace?
The weeping willow is one of the worst firewoods you could possibly burn in an open fireplace. If you have a log burner, you can still use it as a heating source as a decent log burner will burn almost anything.
It does leave behind quite a lot of ash, but if you get the wood for free, then that should not be an issue.
It is better to only use weeping willow in your fireplace as kindling, mixing it in with better burning woods like locust or elm.
How Long To Season Weeping Willow
Being less dense than other hardwood does give weeping willow the advantage of not taking as long to season.
However, it does still take 1 – 2 years to fully season as its moisture levels are so high. You will want to ensure that the moisture has dried out as much as possible before burning weeping willow to limit the amount of smoke that it produces.
It is better to split weeping willow before you season it as it is very quick to rot. Splitting it into smaller pieces will ensure that the wood dries out before it begins to become unusable.
Pros And Cons of Weeping Willow Wood
Pros
- Easy to process
- Moderate heat output
Cons
- Rapid burn
- Extensive smoke production
- Unpleasant smell
How Does Weeping Willow Compare To Other Firewood?
Weeping willow burns pretty much the same as any other willow variety. That is to say terribly, especially when compared to other hardwoods.
It is very much like aspen wood in its density but does burn slightly hotter than aspen.
Still, oak and hickory are far more common than weeping willow in the US and provide a hotter heat for longer.
Maple logs are also known for high sap and have a similar amount of moisture present in green wood. Still, maple produces a similar amount of smoke while producing a lot more heat than weeping willow.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Weeping Willow A Hardwood?
Yes, the weeping willow is classified as hardwood even though it is very light.
Is Red Willow A Willow Tree?
Though it shares a name, red willow firewood is actually part of the dogwood variety.
How To Prevent Firewood From Rotting
Some firewoods like willow simply are more prone to rot than others. Keeping the firewood dry, covered, and elevated from the ground will prevent moisture from reaching the wood, thus minimizing the risk of rotting.
Conclusion
The weeping willow is just as poor firewood as any other willow variety. It takes a long time to season and needs constant maintenance to keep the house warm during cold weather making it a poor choice for firewood.
Hi!
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.
