White ash (Fraxinus Americana ) is the ash variety of choice when it comes to decorating national parks and large areas of nature all across North America. It is one of the largest growing ash trees, reaching as wide as 50 feet and as tall as 120 feet.
Its durability and flexibility make it a popular contender for crafts, but how does white ash perform as firewood?
Out of all of the ash varieties available, white ash is the best performing wood. It has the highest BTU of any ash (25.6) and is generally denser so it can give out more heat for longer. But because of its density, white ash can be harder to process.
What Are The Varieties Of White Ash
As a variety of ash itself, white ash does not have any noticeable sub-varieties.
Its growth and wood yield will vary depending on where it grows, as is the case with all trees. But on the whole, white ashes across the US will hardly differ.
What Are The Physical Characteristics Of White Ash
| Name | White Ash |
| Heat per cord (Million BTUs) | 25.6 |
| Weight dry (lbs per cord) | 3713 |
| Weight green (lbs per cord) | 4080 |
| Seasoning time | 6-12 months |
| Resin / Sap content | Low |
| Splitting Difficulty | Fairly easy |
| Smoke | Minimal |
| Smell | Neutral |
| Coal Production | Moderate |
| Creosote Build-up | Minimal |
Does its Wood Split Easily?
The densest ash both seasoned and unseasoned, white ash is a little bit more difficult to split than other ashes. Though it is still considerably easier than other dense hardwoods and will easily separate with the use of a hydraulic splitter or maul alike.
How Much Sap Does It Have?
White ash carries very little sap and is typically a very dry wood. This makes it easier to process, ready to burn in far less time than oak or maple.
If you do come across white ash that seems to be weeping sap, that tree is infected. Avoid burning it if you don’t want the smell of burning insects to clog up your house.
How Does The Wood Smell?
Like most ash trees, white ash has no real distinctive smell when burnt or fresh.
For a fragrant fire, go with pine or sugar maple wood.
Heat Output And Efficiency Of White Ash
White ash is the best burning firewood out of all the ash varieties to grow across the US. It has a very impressive heat generation of 25.6 BTUs, making it one of the best burning firewoods for its density.
Fire Characteristics Of White Ash
The high heat output of white ash can be credited to its thicker, denser wood. Because it is a denser wood compared to black or green ash, white ash takes longer to burn through and can reach higher heat.
Though its coal production remains average for ash, white ash will not produce much smoke. This means that you will not have to worry about extensive creosote build-up in your fireplace, as there will be little sap to produce smoke.
Is It Okay To Burn White Ash In A Fireplace?
Due to having noticeably low moisture and sap content, white ash will not spark when burnt. As such, it is safe to burn in a fireplace without the need for a screen protector or fire door.
Of course, it is better to use a screen and a secure door for your fireplace anyway, but it is reassuring to know that your carpet will not be set on fire because of stray sparks.
Although white ash is denser than other ashes, you will want to keep softwood firewood in stock as well to help get a fire going.
How Long To Season White Ash
Typically, ash is already so dry that it will only need up to 8 months to fully season. White ash is very much the same but may require up to 12 months to season.
This is due to its wood being the densest of any ash wood rather than it having a higher moisture content.
It is always best to check your firewood with a moisture meter to ensure that it has reached less than 20% moisture content before burning it.
Pros And Cons of White Ash Wood
Pros:
- Long-lasting burn
- Hottest burning ash
- Very low smoke or spark production
- Minimal creosote production
Cons:
- It takes longer to season than most ash
- Harder to split
How Does White Ash Compare To Other Firewood?
Compared to other ash types, white ash burns hotter for longer, especially compared to black ash, which burns a whole 5 BTUs lower than white ash (25.6 BTUs compared to 20.7 BTUs).
Of course, denser hardwoods like hickory and oak will burn better than white ash and last longer due to better coal production.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Is The Best Ash To Burn?
White ash is the better burning ash variety. It is denser, so it will burn hotter for longer.
What Does BTU Measure?
BTU is the measure of the amount of energy generated by a firewood – energy, in this case, becoming heat. 1 BTU equals the amount of energy required to heat 1lb of water by one degree.
What Is The Best Wood For Kindling?
Light softwoods like alder, birch, pine, and fir will ignite quickly, making the best kindling along with cedar.
Conclusion
White ash is the best kind of ash firewood, burning for longer and at a higher heat without creating much smoke. It does take longer to season because of its density but is well worth the wait.
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.
