Firewood is an excellent choice of fuel for a fireplace because it’s both renewable and carbon-neutral – not to mention providing an enviable ambience.
Choosing the perfect firewood can be tricky, however, so it pays to look into what firewood to use beforehand.
This article focuses on what makes a good firewood, discussing the various advantages and disadvantages of using sycamore as firewood, before coming to a conclusion at the end. We’ll even throw in a handy FAQ section.
(Feel free to scroll ahead if you so wish.)
What Makes A Good Firewood?
For the purposes of this article, we’ll be concentrating on the factors that make for a good firewood, including availability, the amount of heat they can throw out (measured in BTUs), and how long they burn for.
The Availability
Since sycamore trees grow best in moist soils, they are most typically found as a native tree to most of the eastern USA (with the exception of much of Wisconsin and all of Minnesota). Thus, getting hold of sycamore wood is relatively easy.
The Time It Takes To Seasoning
‘Seasoned wood’ is basically any wood that has been dried to remove as much moisture content as possible. This is important since it’s what enables woods to be used as firewood.
The process typically takes up to 6 months, but it can take longer for woods that absorb a great deal of water and moisture.
The Amount Of Heat Thrown Out
The amount of heat thrown out by firewood is measured in BTUs, which is an acronym for British Thermal Units. The higher the BTUs, the more heat is thrown out by the firewood.
As a general rule, a pound of wood should produce roughly the same amount of heat, regardless of what type of wood it is. That said, however, a wood fire can throw out anywhere between 18.7 million BTUs per dry cord and 32.9 million BTUs per dry cord.
The Total Length Of Burn Time
It takes time to warm up a room through the use of a wood fire, so the longer the burn time of the wood, the better.
The type of firewood used has an impact on how long it will burn for. Hardwoods, as a general rule, tend to burn longer than their softwood counterparts, because hardwoods are more dense and heavy.
The Amount Of Smoke Produced
If you’re creating a fire in the great outdoors, then the scent of burning wood isn’t so much of an issue, because it gets carried away with the wind. Indoors, however, is another story. And you want as little smoke as necessary indoors.
The Scent Produced
If you’re creating a fire in the great outdoors, then the scent of burning wood isn’t so much of an issue, because it gets carried away with the wind. Indoors, however, is another story. An obnoxious scent will only lessen the appeal of any firewood.
Advantages Of Using Sycamore As Firewood
The advantages of using sycamore as firewood are as follows:
Availability
Sycamore firewood is readily available throughout most of the eastern area of the USA.
Medium Level Of Heat Thrown Out
One cord of sycamore wood can throw out anywhere between 19.1 million BTUs of heat and 25 million BTUs of heat.
And when you compare this to the amount of heat thrown out by other woods, you can safely conclude that sycamore firewood produces a medium level of heat.
Disadvantages Of Using Sycamore As Firewood
The disadvantages of using sycamore as firewood are as follows:
The Time It Takes To Seasoning
Unfortunately, sycamore firewood takes a considerably long time to dry out and season. The usual 6 months is not nearly enough, and the usual recommendation for the seasoning of sycamore firewood is a staggering one to 2 years.
The Total Length Of Burn Time
Although sycamore is classed as a hardwood, sadly it is not as slow burn as a lot of the other hardwoods, such as oak, cherry and maple. But that said, it will burn for a longer length of time than softwoods such as pine.
The Amount Of Smoke Produced
The burning of sycamore firewood produces a moderate amount of smoke and minimal sparks. This means that, while using sycamore as firewood is fine for an outdoor fire, it’s not the best firewood for an indoor fireplace, unless there’s adequate ventilation.
The Scent Produced
Sycamore trees give off a strong and earthy scent, but when sycamore firewood is burned before being adequately seasoned, it can produce a rather unpleasant smell.
Final Thoughts
So, to sum up, sycamore firewood is a readily available firewood, and it produces a medium heat, but it takes a long time to season, and it produces a moderate amount of smoke.
It can also have an unpleasant scent if it’s not thoroughly seasoned, which can take a considerable length of time.
Therefore, we can conclude that sycamore is an OK choice of wood for a wood fireplace, but you could easily find better firewood with fewer disadvantages.
Still here? Check out our FAQ section!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Season Sycamore?
As mentioned earlier, sycamore can take a considerable length of time to dry out and season. While most firewood need little more than 6 months to season, sycamore can take as long as 2 years to season.
What Is Sycamore Wood Good For?
If you happen to have some sycamore wood, and you decide not to use it as firewood, you could instead use it to make furniture, wooden instruments, wood carving, timber framing, boat building, and many more uses besides.
What Wood Should Not Be Used For Firewood?
You should never use treated, painted or sealed wood in your fireplace because it will produce dangerous, toxic chemicals in the fumes.
Is Sycamore A Hardwood Or Softwood?
Sycamore is a hardwood, but it’s not as long burning as most other hardwoods are.
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I also love a great fire. Over the years, I have enjoyed using different types of wood burners and gas fireplaces. Now in a more modern home, I use an electric fireplace.
