Is Cedar Good Firewood: Unlocking 7 the Facts and Benefits

Cedar trees are beautiful evergreen conifers that emit a delightful woody fragrance and possess needle-like leaves. The question that often arises in discussions about this versatile wood is, “Is cedar good firewood? In this article, we will focus on two popular varieties of cedar found in the United States: Western red cedar and Eastern red cedar, also known as false cedars.

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Is Cedar Good Firewood?

If you’re wondering “Is cedar good firewood”, find out as you read on. While cedar may not provide the same level of heat output as maple, black locust, or hickory, it still has its uses. Cedar is excellent as kindling or when combined with slower-burning varieties like oak.

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Burns fast and produces low levels of heat.
Poor coaling properties and generates plenty of sparks.
Emits a pleasant aroma that many enjoy.

Burning Qualities of Cedar Firewood

1. Thermal Output

For those living in colder climates, heat output is crucial when choosing firewood. While cedar offers relatively low heat output compared to other common types, it can still serve its purpose. Western red cedar provides 18.2 million BTUs per cord, while the Eastern variety offers 13.0 million.

Cedar’s BTU ratings are similar to buckeye, sassafras, white pine, and spruce but fall significantly behind top-performing firewoods like Gambel oak and Osage Orange. Despite its lower BTU, cedar is still useful for kindling and can be burned during milder temperatures.

Here’s a table comparing the heat output of cedar to other common firewood types:

Wood variety	Heat per Cord (Million BTUs)
Eastern red cedar	13.0
Western red cedar	18.2

2. Emission of Smoke

Cedar tends to produce moderate levels of smoke, making it less recommended for open fires. However, if you have a wood stove, the smoky wood won’t cause significant issues. It’s crucial to ensure that any firewood is well seasoned before use to minimize smoke production and maximize efficiency.

3. Splitting Ease

Splitting cedar can vary depending on the type of tree or logs. Generally, Eastern red cedar is easier to split, while Western red cedar requires a bit more effort. If you encounter knotty or gnarly wood, regardless of the variety, it will be more challenging to process. Splitting cedar when it’s green and using heavy-duty tools can make the job easier.

4. Sparking

Cedar is notorious for sparking and popping while burning, similar to pine, tamarack, and mulberry. While this can be a safety concern for open fireplaces, it poses less of a risk for wood stoves or enclosed fires. If you have an open fireplace, it’s essential to have a fireguard in place.

5. Fragrance

Cedar is known for its pleasant fragrance when burned. Eastern red cedar contains pungent natural oils, making it popular for use in chests and closets to repel insects. Western red cedar emits an earthy, citrusy smell that some liken to a freshly sharpened pencil. Any variety of cedar produces a decent aroma, surpassing logs like cottonwood or unseasoned red oak. If you enjoy the smell of cedar, it makes an excellent choice for campfires.

6. Formation of Coals

Firewood that forms quality coals provides longer-lasting heat, reducing the need for constant replenishment. Unfortunately, cedar ranks low in coaling ability. Consequently, maintaining a hot, roaring fire requires frequent feeding and restarting the fire the next day. Comparison with popular firewood like hickory further highlights cedar’s poor coaling properties.

7. Accumulation of Creosote

Although creosote isn’t a significant factor when choosing firewood, it’s worth noting. Cedar, when properly seasoned, does not produce high levels of creosote. However, green cedar with high sap and resin content can result in increased creosote build-up.

What is the Duration for Cedar Seasoning?

In hot, dry climates, cedar takes approximately six months to season, while cooler, damper areas require around twelve months. Smaller split cedar logs dry more quickly than larger ones. Prematurely using unseasoned cedar firewood will result in a smoky fire with reduced heat output.

Consider these tips to speed up the cedar seasoning process:

Choose a well-ventilated location, preferably facing the stack towards the wind and away from shaded areas.
Split the firewood into smaller pieces to increase surface area exposure.
Allow a 3-5″ gap between each stack for better air circulation.
Elevate the wood by placing it on planks or cinder blocks to promote airflow beneath.
Cover the stacks with a tarp or suitable cover to protect from rain and snow while ensuring one side remains exposed to the wind.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the Optimal Time to Harvest Cedar for Firewood?

It’s recommended to split cedar for firewood between winter and early spring. During this period, moisture content and sap are lower, resulting in faster seasoning.

Is Cedar Suitable for Smoking Meat?

Cedar, being a resinous softwood, is not suitable for smoking meat. It imparts an unpleasant taste and creates soot, making cleaning the smoker or grill challenging. Opt for hardwood options like hickory, cherry, or apple for smoking food.

What are the Methods for Identifying Cedar?

Eastern red cedar has short, needle-like leaves with a thin, light brown outer bark that can be peeled off to reveal an orange inner bark. Western red cedar has leaves arranged in pairs and releases a strong fragrance when crushed. The tree’s bark features vertical ridges running down the trunk.

Distinguishing Between True and False Cedars

True cedars belong to the Pinaceae family and are native to Mediterranean mountainous regions to the western Himalayas. These coniferous evergreens possess fragrant wood and can be identified by their upright cones with a barrel-like shape.

False cedars come from alternative genera and families, often belonging to the Cupressaceae family. They typically have longer leaves that form fan sprays or are awl-shaped, unlike true cedars with clusters of short needles.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cedar Firewood

Pros

Emits a delightful aroma.
Notably straightforward to split.
Ideal for kindling or use during shoulder seasons.

Cons

Moderate to low heat generation.
Poor coaling properties.
Sparks and pops extensively.

Summing Up

Hopefully with the above article, you have the answer to the question “Is cedar good firewood“. While most firewood is suitable for burning, cedar has its limitations. With its low heat output and poor coaling properties, cedar is better utilized as kindling or when combined with slower-burning woods like maple. However, in milder climates where constant feeding is not an issue, cedar can still serve its purpose. Just remember to take precautions against sparks when using it in open fireplaces.

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