I have only burned black locust firewood a few times since it does not grow native where I live. One year I cut one up that was growing in someone’s yard and I was very impressed. Black locust is very dense, burns very hot, and burns for a long time.
This wood forms great coals as it burns, which will put off a lot of radiant heat for a long period of time. The coals will eventually burn up completely and leave very little ash. It can have a tendency to pop and throw sparks as it burns. I have heard of people claiming the wood has an odor that isn’t so great, but I don’t remember that about it.
Black locust wood is very hard and durable. It has a reputation of being somewhat difficult to work with, hard to saw, nail and glue. It is very rot resistant and can last for many decades, even when in contact with soil. It is said to be a natural alternative to chemical treated wood, and can last a lot longer than treated wood. It makes great walkways and decking, both for its ability to hold up under the weather and under traffic. This is a great wood to use for landscaping and in the garden instead of toxic railroad ties or chemical treated wood.
I thought it was a shame cutting that tree I had into firewood after I started to split it and saw how beautiful the wood was. It is a wide grained wood with beautiful shades of golden yellow and almost green. I think it is an exotic looking wood and probably underutilized in the US.
Black locust trees are native to Eastern North America, but they have been planted widespread in the Western US and Europe. Plantations were established in California for growing mine timbers. It was brought to Europe in the 1600’s to grow wood for building ships.
Black locust trees are fast growing and quick to reforest. They will sprout back quickly from the stump and established trees are known to send up shoots from the roots a distance from the main tree. These characteristics can make this a good tree for reforesting areas that have been cleared, but they can also become an invasive pest choking out native trees and plants.
If you are considering using black locust for firewood, you will probably be happy with it. And if you want to stock up with several years of wood, this is a great choice since it will last a long time, probably decades. If I had access to more of this wood, it would be one of my preferred choices.
Post your comments about black locust firewood below.
black locust is the best there is as far as i am concerned. there are a lot of woods that burn long and hot but I like the way locust coals up when it burns. just have to be careful not to over fire your stove. it is easy to split and cuts good if it is green. watch out for thorns they hurt.
Locust is a forest edge tree in that it will grow best in an open field. As the forest grows around it the tree will eventually die off and can be used for fence posts or firewood. It is an interesting tree if you are trying to keep a low carbon imprint. We let it grow on the property and it will quickly grow which as it take a lot of carbon dioxide from the air and then is recycled back as firewood. As a renewable fuel source it is the best of all the trees.. About 12 years ago we used two trees to make a foot bridge over a small river. It has yet to show any signs of wood rot even though it is in a very wet area. Also we use it to build raised vegetable gardens. They hold up better than wood treated lumber and do not leach out chemicals. Overall there should be more consideration to planting more of this tree.
I have lots of black locust trees on my property. They are now 12-18 inches in diameter, about 80 feet high. Also a big pile of cut pieces 10-30 years old. No good for my fireplace but probably great for a wood stove. Too hard to start and burn in the fireplace. I should have cut these trees down years ago but didn’t have the heart to do it. I am too old and tired to attack these trees now. Also would further add to the huge pile of old pieces piled up in the woods behind my house.
On the plus side, years ago when the trees were 6-8 inches thick I split them into posts and rails for a decorative rustic split rail fence in the front yard. This fence will long outlive me.
I am in New York about an hour north of the city and Black Locust is extremely prevalent . It grows so fast and tall that all the forests are littered with downed locusts because they grow too tall and the root structures are not strong enough to hold them during violent storms. I have taken down Locust trees threatening my house, and I’ve gone back 3 years later and pulled rounds buried in the mud and they are perfectly preserved with no rot and burn great. I have a ton of sugar maple too, but in my experience locust is far far superior. The maple takes longer to season, then rots if not used in the one season it was ready. Locust will last in a wood pile for 10 years. The only problem with it, you will go through a lot of chains and tanks of gas when sectioning up a large specimen. Yellow Coal.
I got several mixed woods
in 30 gallon containers
asking 30.00 each
im in lebanon,pa