Most willow trees prefer cold, moist soils but they are able to grow fairly well in most soils, which is why they thrive as an invasive species in Australia.
Part of the Salix genus, willow is used all over the world as ornamental trees as well as being favored for their woodworking capabilities. But how does willow fair as firewood?
Willow is a poor-performing hardwood. Its light density is an issue in itself as it means that its fire does not last long. However, the real problems come from willows’ high sap and moisture content, leading to excessive smoke.
What Are The Varieties Of Willow
There are over 400 species of willow tree but only a few are common in the US.
Coyote willow and scoulers willow are native to North America and therefore are the most common of the willows in North America. Another popular variety is the weeping willow but being native to china means that it is less common in the US.
No matter what type of willow firewood you are able to access, the varieties that grow in the US have near indistinguishable burning qualities.
What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Willow
| Name | 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 | High |
| Splitting Difficulty | Easy |
| Smoke | Considerable amount |
| Smell | Neutral / Unpleasant |
| Coal Production | Very poor |
| Creosote Build-up | Considerable |
Does its Wood Split Easily?
How easy it will be to split a willow will depend on where it grows and when you choose to split it. The crooks connecting each branch to the willow’s main trunk will be particularly difficult to split, more so than other wood types.
If you can avoid these areas, though, you can be sure of a very easy split. Willow is an exceptionally light wood so you will be able to split it with ease.
Make sure to split willow before you season it to ensure that it can properly dry out.
How Much Sap Does It Have?
Willow has a lot more sap than you would expect of hardwood but is a unique case.
It is not sticky, Instead, willow sap is watery and very acidic. So much so that it has been used in the past for medical reasons, helping to fight off diseases and pathogens in humans.
The sap of willow may not be toxic or typical firewood sap, but it does cause problems when burnt.
How Does The Wood Smell?
Some people consider red willow the best smelling willow around, but that is only because red willow is actually a species of dogwood.
True willow is not well known for its smell. It is a very subjective scent with some people being impartial to it and others hating it.
Heat Output And Efficiency Of Willow
Willow is capable of giving out an average BTU of 17.6, which is a fair heat generation though poor for hardwood.
Such heat is enough to keep a room warm but only if the fire lasts for long enough. In willow’s case, it does not and needs constant maintenance.
Fire Characteristics Of Willow
Such high levels of sap and moisture within its wood mean that willow burns terribly and needs to season for at least one full year before use.
It can cause an extensive build-up of creosote within your fireplace, not because its sap is particularly sticky but rather because its excess water content will create far more smoke than you would expect if not properly seasoned.
The added stickiness of burning sap will only make this extra smoke cling to the chimney and flutes more.
Willow does not produce a very good coal bed, hence it needs more maintenance than other hardwoods. The main reason that willow burns out so quickly is that it is a very light wood.
Such a light density means that there is less resistance against its fire, allowing the wood to burn up quicker. But still, willow will last longer and burn better than most softwoods.
Is It Okay To Burn Willow In A Fireplace?
If you have no other firewood to hand, then you can burn willow in a fireplace. It does not produce a lot of heat, but just enough to keep you warm if you are in a pinch.
It is better suited to outdoor spaces rather than in an open indoor fireplace because of the amount of smoke that it produces, even though its burning time is short.
It is better to spend your money and time on firewood that will burn hotter for longer without causing a build-up of creosote and ash in your fireplace.
How Long To Season Willow
Willow takes anywhere between 1 – 2 years to fully season.
While it is less dense than most other hardwoods, willow does have significantly more moisture than typical hardwood. That is why it takes so long to season even though its density would suggest otherwise.
However, seasoning willow includes walking the fine line between under seasoned and rotting. As a wood prone to rotting, you will need to check willow often if it is not seasoned after 18 months as, after this time, it may start to rot even if it is not ready to burn yet.
Pros And Cons of Willow Wood
Pros
- Moderate heat output
- Fairly easy to prepare
Cons
- Smokes terribly
- High creosote production
- Poor coal bed
- Unpleasant smell
How Does Willow Compare To Other Firewood?
Compared to other hardwoods, willow burns badly. It creates more smoke and takes a long time to dry and burns at a significantly lower heat.
However, willow is very similar to aspen firewood in density but has the ability to burn hotter as aspen only has a BTU of 16.5.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Is Willow Used For
It is favored more in the crafting world as its light density makes its case for hand knives to chip away at its seasoned wood.
Is Willow Sap Toxic?
Not at all. Actually, some early aspirins have links back to willow sap.
Is Willow A Sustainable Wood
The roots of willow will grow back very quickly, needing only a branch of willow left on the ground to start growing. While this makes it an invasive species in some areas, willow is sustainable.
Conclusion
Willow is one of the lower-tier trees you could use as firewood. Its burning time is incredibly short for hardwood while not producing much heat. The coal production is on the lower side along with having a long seasoning time.
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