{"id":1416,"date":"2022-03-07T19:52:09","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T19:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/?p=1416"},"modified":"2022-03-26T16:04:08","modified_gmt":"2022-03-26T16:04:08","slug":"madrone-firewood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Madrone Good Firewood?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Madrone (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Arbutus_menziesii\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arbutus menziesii<\/a>) 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Madrone-firewood.jpg\" alt=\"madrone firewood thumbnail\" class=\"wp-image-1389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Madrone-firewood.jpg 500w, https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Madrone-firewood-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Madrone-firewood-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_62 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#What_Are_The_Varieties_Of_Madrone\" title=\"What Are The Varieties Of Madrone\">What Are The Varieties Of Madrone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#What_Are_The_Physical_Characteristics_Of_Madrone\" title=\"What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Madrone\">What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Madrone<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#Does_its_Wood_Split_Easily\" title=\"Does its Wood Split Easily?\">Does its Wood Split Easily?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#How_Much_Sap_Does_It_Have\" title=\"How Much Sap Does It Have?\">How Much Sap Does It Have?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#How_Does_The_Wood_Smell\" title=\"How Does The Wood Smell?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;\">How Does The Wood Smell?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#Heat_Output_And_Efficiency_Of_Madrone\" title=\"Heat Output And Efficiency Of Madrone\">Heat Output And Efficiency Of Madrone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#Fire_Characteristics_Of_Madrone\" title=\"Fire Characteristics Of Madrone\">Fire Characteristics Of Madrone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#Is_It_Okay_To_Burn_Madrone_In_A_Fireplace\" title=\"Is It Okay To Burn Madrone In A Fireplace?\">Is It Okay To Burn Madrone In A Fireplace?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#How_Expensive_Is_Madrone_Firewood\" title=\"How Expensive Is Madrone Firewood?\">How Expensive Is Madrone Firewood?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#Pros_And_Cons_of_Madrone_Wood\" title=\"Pros And Cons of Madrone Wood\">Pros And Cons of Madrone Wood<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#How_Does_Madrone_Compare_To_Other_Firewood\" title=\"How Does Madrone Compare To Other Firewood?\">How Does Madrone Compare To Other Firewood?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions:\">Frequently Asked Questions:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/madrone-firewood\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_The_Varieties_Of_Madrone\"><\/span>What Are The Varieties Of Madrone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a species of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ericaceae\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ericaceae<\/a>&nbsp;family, it does not have any notable variations of its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_The_Physical_Characteristics_Of_Madrone\"><\/span>What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Madrone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Name<\/td><td>Madrone<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Heat per cord (Million BTUs)<\/td><td>28.0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weight dry (lbs per cord)<\/td><td>4066<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weight green (lbs per cord)<\/td><td>5100<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Seasoning time<\/td><td>1 year<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Resin \/ Sap content<\/td><td>Low<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Splitting Difficulty<\/td><td>Moderate<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Smoke<\/td><td>Little<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Smell<\/td><td>Pleasant<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coal Production<\/td><td>Very good<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Creosote Build-up<\/td><td>Little<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_its_Wood_Split_Easily\"><\/span>Does its Wood Split Easily?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is better to split madrone while it is still wet as it will become extremely dense and hard once seasoned, <a href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/apple-firewood\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1289\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">much like apple firewood<\/a>. Unlike other woods that can be stringy while fresh, Madrone will split easily without any mess or stinginess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Sap_Does_It_Have\"><\/span>How Much Sap Does It Have?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite being a fruit-bearing tree, Madrone does not produce a lot of sap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/how-to-tell-if-tree-is-dead\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"642\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dead madrone tree<\/a> at any other time of the year, it will hardly have any sap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_The_Wood_Smell\"><\/span>How Does The Wood Smell?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heat_Output_And_Efficiency_Of_Madrone\"><\/span>Heat Output And Efficiency Of Madrone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the hardest wood available on the west coast, mandora does outperform many other hardwoods in the areas where it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fire_Characteristics_Of_Madrone\"><\/span>Fire Characteristics Of Madrone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/how-to-dispose-of-fireplace-ashes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to dispose of the fireplace ash safely here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hardness of Madrone allows it to burn for hours at a time, keeping a steady heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_It_Okay_To_Burn_Madrone_In_A_Fireplace\"><\/span>Is It Okay To Burn Madrone In A Fireplace?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Madrone is often favored over other hardwoods that it grows by as it is a safe bet to burn in any fireplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/redwood-firewood\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1413\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">softwood kindling<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Expensive_Is_Madrone_Firewood\"><\/span>How Expensive Is Madrone Firewood?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_And_Cons_of_Madrone_Wood\"><\/span>Pros And Cons of Madrone Wood<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pros<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Extremely efficient heat<\/li><li>Easy to prepare<\/li><li>Minimal smoke<\/li><li>Minimal creosote builds up<\/li><li>Very high-quality coals<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Cons<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Difficult to split when seasoned<\/li><li>Very rare<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Madrone_Compare_To_Other_Firewood\"><\/span>How Does Madrone Compare To Other Firewood?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With such a <a href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/firewood-weight-btu-chart\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"817\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">high BTU<\/a> and impressive burning times, it is no wonder that Madrone is more desirable than even oak even though some&nbsp;oak&nbsp;varieties like <a href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/is-oak-good-firewood\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"697\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">red oak burn slightly hotter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do not live on the west coast, then the next best wood to Madrone that is far<a href=\"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/hickory-firewood\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> more common is hickory firewood<\/a> which can burn hotter and has similar characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is Madrone suitable for cooking?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of its pleasant smell, Madrone produces a great flavor for both grilling and smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is Madrone a hardwood?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, it is the hardest wood on the west coast and classified as hardwood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is Madrone a sustainable wood?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1389,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1416"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1416"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1416\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1481,"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1416\/revisions\/1481"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theyardable.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}