Growing poplar trees for firewood

sunnymount farm · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject: Growing poplar trees for firewood

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone has experience of growing poplar trees for firewood. I have this idea about growing them along hedge rows and in between mature trees for harvesting in 5+ years time. Does ash or berch trees grow as quick as poplar? Any advise is much appreciated.

forest flame · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:03 pm Post subject:

Hhi sunnymount farm
in my experience the best wood to grow for fire wood is eucalyptus. though not indiginous to ireland it grows very well and once dried is great for firewood.

sunnymount farm · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:14 am Post subject:

Thanks Hawthorn tree
I never heard of anyone growing eucalyptus before and it seems a strange one as it's not a native tree, but I'll check out some more about it.

Foxylock · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

Hi sunnymount farm

I planted a black poplar five years ago at the bottom of the garden it was a twig no more than five feet high it's now the most imposing tree in the garden shooting up to at least thirty five feet. But beware the roots are quite destructive and will grow over the ground interfering with paving slabs, footpaths, drains etc. I just don't have the heart to cut it Crying or Very sad

medieval knievel · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject:

willow and birch are fairly popular for growing as a fuel crop - willow especially, as it's suited for coppicing.

Sive · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:30 pm Post subject:

I've heard ash is the best of all firewood.

sunnymount farm · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

That's an impressive growing rate Foxylock.
Ash seems to be the best firewood but not a quick grower and willow is only good for biomass fuel and you need to plant arcres of the stuff.
Cheers all.

Foxylock · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:37 pm Post subject:

The father always says " Dares grate hate from dash spark " Which roughly translates as : Ash timber burns exceedingly well and gives a commendable return of heat. Laughing

I wouldnt underate the growing speed of ash though I have a few on the ditch and they compete very well with the other trees, also you might consider coppicing them .

Sive · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:14 am Post subject:

The late John Seymour advised growing ash and birch for firewood....... at 5 ft intervals and coppicing them when about 9 inches thick