How to Burn Green Firewood

How to Burn Green Firewood
Green firewood is typically considered to be any hard or soft wood which is freshly cut and still maintains a high moisture content. Burning green wood in a fire presents several issues that are not found with seasoned firewood. The higher moisture content may result in a hotter fire needed to burn the green logs, more smoke because of the amount of water content and the production of large amounts of creosote.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Seasoned firewood (kindling and larger)
  • Fire starter (paper, dryer lint or other combustible)
  • Green firewood
  • Matches or lighter
Step 1
Place a small amount of a highly combustible material such as newspaper in the center of a fireplace, fire pit or fire ring.
Step 2
Position small tinder and kindling on top of the combustible material and arrange in a teepee shape. This will create a chimney effect and draw oxygen into the fire from the bottom, helping with combustion.
Step 3
Light the combustible material with a match or lighter. Attempt to light the material in two to three locations to help establish an even burn.
Step 4
Place progressively larger pieces of seasoned sticks and wood onto the fire as the heat and height of flames increase.
Step 5
Place green wood onto the fire. Use the smallest pieces possible because the heat of the fire must essentially dry the green wood for it to burn. Attempt to place the green wood in the hottest part of the fire.

Tips & Warnings

 
Split green wood down to kindling or as small as possible to help reduce the amount of heat needed to burn the green wood.
 
Use caution when burning green wood in a fireplace as there may potentially be large amounts of creosote produced.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

Write for Trails.com
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