new favorite wood

[Todd]

Hmmmm... nobody mentioned Osage Orange (Hedge), purported to be the highest.

I've seen a few charts where Live Oak is even higher than Hedge but I think it only grows in the deep south where there aren't many wood burners.

 

[ChrisNJ]

I also am a big fan of Black Locust, although I scrounged 2 cords of Honey locust this year I will be burning next winter with the same expectations.

 

[Hiram Maxim]

Hmmmm... nobody mentioned Osage Orange (Hedge), purported to be the highest.

We have some around here but I've never had access to it. I made a craigslist ad last year looking for some and I didn't get one reply.

Clarkston & Lapeer is reported to have Osage Orange!

A friend and his Son come across it every once in a while.

The Fall is the best time to go looking because that's when the Fruit is out....

When I lived in South Central Oklahoma those trees were everywhere.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Osage_orange_1.jpg
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Are you still looking for Black Locust Tree's?

I have about 20 seedlings in the back yard if you want to come dig them up!

Remember a while back you were looking for some?

Stuff grows super fast

 

[krex1010]

my favorite wood is definetely the free stuff that my friend (a tree guy) dumps in my front yard.

i have noticed that my favorite wood seems to change with the seasons. for instance right now (please note that right now i am still moving/splitting/stacking wood and its in the 90's everyday) i love when i come home from work and see a load of ash sitting in my yard, but when i see oak my mood changes and my back starts to hurt. however come mid-january when all i am doing is feeding a fire my opinion of oak seems to change.

 

[Mesquite]

Hmmmm... nobody mentioned Osage Orange (Hedge), purported to be the highest.

I've seen a few charts where Live Oak is even higher than Hedge but I think it only grows in the deep south where there aren't many wood burners.

Yes Todd, Live Oak has a really high rating. It can also be a real SOB to split as it is not a straight grained wood. It also takes a lot longer to season but once it's ready, look out cause you will be getting some serious heat from it. I believe you are correct too in that it only grows in the southern climates. Though we don't have the number of wood burners down here compared to you folks up north, we do have a fair number. There are also a large number of BBQ joints down here that use Live Oak to cook with.

If you ever have to chance to get your hands on some, don't turn it down as you will be pleased with it. Most of what I burn is mesquite but I do have Live Oak saved for those really "COLD" below 20 degree nights we get every now and then.