River birch suprise

[Ctwoodtick]

Been burning some river birch for first time. I figured it would be real lightweight quick burning stuff. Nope just as good a lot of of other hardwoods.
Has anyone had a similar experience with it?

 

[DuaeGuttae]

I think River Birch is another name for Black Birch or Betula Nigra. We got a fair amount once from a man who had cut and split and stacked it for firewood, but then was getting rid of his fireplace or stove or something. [It’s been years ago now, so I don’t remember all the details.] It was well seasoned and in good condition, and he told us it was his favorite firewood in all his stacks. We hadn’t been familiar with it, but I remember that we did enjoy burning it and were pretty impressed. I think we, too, had expected something more like Paper Birch and were pleasantly surprised that it was a denser wood. All that to say, “Yep, we’ve had a similar experience.”

 

[Ctwoodtick]

I think River Birch is another name for Black Birch or Betula Nigra. We got a fair amount once from a man who had cut and split and stacked it for firewood, but then was getting rid of his fireplace or stove or something. [It’s been years ago now, so I don’t remember all the details.] It was well seasoned and in good condition, and he told us it was his favorite firewood in all his stacks. We hadn’t been familiar with it, but I remember that we did enjoy burning it and were pretty impressed. I think we, too, had expected something more like Paper Birch and were pleasantly surprised that it was a denser wood. All that to say, “Yep, we’ve had a similar experience.”

I hear you on black birch (bentula lenta). Terrific dense wood. The stuff I have is that ornamental tree you see on people lawns. Very shaggy with the peeling bark and all. I l’ll put up so pics tomorrow with how it looks.

 

[DuaeGuttae]

Ah, thanks for that clarification. I looked up the scientific name of River Birch last night and saw Betula nigra, and other common names including black birch. Since the scientific name translates to “black birch,” I just assumed it was the same thing we had received all those years ago. I looked up Betula lenta this morning and see that it, too, is called “Black Birch” or also “Cherry Birch.” What we got definitely had the cherry-looking bark to it, not the peeling ornamental you describe. I can picture that, too, as our next door neighbor up there had such a tree in her yard. I don’t have experience with that as firewood, but I’m glad that it’s turning out to be great wood for you. Enjoy.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

Ah, thanks for that clarification. I looked up the scientific name of River Birch last night and saw Betula nigra, and other common names including black birch. Since the scientific name translates to “black birch,” I just assumed it was the same thing we had received all those years ago. I looked up Betula lenta this morning and see that it, too, is called “Black Birch” or also “Cherry Birch.” What we got definitely had the cherry-looking bark to it, not the peeling ornamental you describe. I can picture that, too, as our next door neighbor up there had such a tree in her yard. I don’t have experience with that as firewood, but I’m glad that it’s turning out to be great wood for you. Enjoy.

Thanks !
By the way, if you’re ever interested in a good video about black birch:

 

[rudysmallfry]

Been burning some river birch for first time. I figured it would be real lightweight quick burning stuff. Nope just as good a lot of of other hardwoods.
Has anyone had a similar experience with it?

I don't know about River Birch, but I'm burning Black Birch for the first time ever this season. I love it. It burns long and hot. I hope I can find more for next season.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

I don't know about River Birch, but I'm burning Black Birch for the first time ever this season. I love it. It burns long and hot. I hope I can find more for next season.

Black birch is a my favorite. Grows like a weed here in CT!

 

[Doublebogey]

We had a huge 40+ foot tall river birch in the front yard taken down years ago. The damn thing had three massive trunks and the base was less than three feet from our foundation. I expected very little out of it but it was GREAT firewood. That flakey papery bark was messy as hell. I’d take it it again in a minute.