Is Alder Good Firewood? Everything You Need to Know

Alder is considered to be the type of Hardwood; however, it is softer than Ash, Oak, and Hornbeam wood. Alder is great firewood that can produce a lot of heat. 

This Post will look at everything you need to know about alder. We will look at the alder tree and the wood it produces, the best time of the year to cut alder, and any issues you may have with alder trees.

So let’s get started!

Contents

 Is Alder Good Firewood?

Alder is a popular firewood choice, and it’s easy to see why. It burns hot and long, is readily available, and even lights easily. But Alder is a deciduous tree, which means it will drop its leaves every year.

So, is Alder good firewood? The short answer is, yes. Here’s why.

The Alder tree is often used in firewood because of its high density, slow-burning properties, and low ash content. Alder is a type of hardwood that is known for being easy to ignite and producing a lot of heat. Additionally, alder wood produces very little smoke, so it is ideal for indoor use. It is also known for being a lightweight wood, which makes it easy to transport. Alder is a popular choice for campfires and bonfires because it burns hot and fast, providing warmth and light in a short amount of time.

When it comes to firewood, alder is considered to be a good choice because it burns well and produces a lot of heat. However, it is important to note that alder does not burn as long as some other types of wood. If you are looking for wood that will last all night long, you may want to consider another type of wood.

Another benefit of using alder as firewood is that it is relatively inexpensive. You can usually find alder wood for sale at your local hardware store or lumberyard.

So, should you use alder as firewood? If you are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use option, then alder is definitely a good choice

Alder wood

Alnus, a genus of deciduous trees commonly referred to as alder trees in the birch family Betulaceae, goes by the common name “alder.” It comes from northwestern Europe, Britain, Ireland, and most of northern North America. 

Usually growing to a height of 20 meters, it is a medium-sized tree. It makes great fuelwood because it generates a lot of heat and long-lasting charcoal. Wood is good for fuel, but it is not suitable for fine work. It is utilized for things like tool handles because it is easily split and quite robust.

How To Identify Alder Trees:

Alder trees are easy to recognize because they look different from other trees. Alder trees have leaves that look like eggs and have sharp edges. Along the veins, the leaves are bumpy and have deep grooves.

Alder comes from the same family as birch trees, so it has many of the same traits. A smooth ash-gray to white color characterizes the alder tree’s bark.

The best way to tell if a tree is alder is to look at its fruit, which is called a “strobile.” These cones are about an inch long and stay on the tree from fall to spring. Squirrels and birds like to eat the nuts that are inside the strobile.

The flowers of the alder tree are called catkins. The female flowers stand straight up at the ends of the twigs, while the male flowers hang down (male flowers). These yellow flowers are small on their own, but when they hang together, they look bigger.

Alder trees are different from most plants because as they grow, they put nitrogen back into the soil. They are called nitrogen-fixers, and the trees have an organism on their roots that changes the nitrogen in the soil into a form that plants can use. When the leaves fall, they break down into compost and replace the nitrogen that was taken up by the soil.

What is The BTU Of Alder Good?

British Thermal Unit, or BTU, is a way to measure how much heat something gives off. This unit of measurement can also be found on air conditioners, space heaters, and gas firepits. Each cord of alder has 17.5 million BTUs.

Alder is a hardwood, but it acts more like a softwood because it is easy to light and burns hot and fast. Compared to other common hardwoods, alder has a lower BTU.

Alder wood burns quickly, but it makes a fire that is pretty hot and leaves behind good coals. Alder firewood is good to use in the fall and spring when temperatures are moderate because it burns quickly.

Alder will light quickly because its grain isn’t too tight. This is great if you need or want a fire right away. Temperatures that are not too hot or too cold will also help you save alder firewood, which burns faster than other hardwoods. Alder can also be mixed with other hardwoods, like oak, to help with this.

Alder is used to making lump wood charcoal of high quality that is great for grilling.

How Long Does Alder Firewood Need To season?

Alder firewood has a relatively quick seasoning period, which is one of its most significant benefits. Alder firewood needs 6 to 8 months to season or 8 to 12 months in humid climates.

Because alder bark is thin and easily loses moisture, the seasoning period is brief. Deep fractures can be seen in alder wood once it has fully seasoned. If you split alder with the bark still on, it will eventually begin to fall off on its own.

Does Alder wood produce Resin/Sap:

The amount of sap produced by alder wood is minimal. Instead, it favors preserving moisture. The wood does turn red after being cut because of the sap content.

How Does Alder wood Burn?

Alder firewood has an orange tinge, which makes it attractive to use as “display” firewood next to a wood burner or multiple-fuel stove. Alder logs, like other softer firewood, don’t require much spark to get going. When the kindling is blazing, throw on some fire starters and some alder logs. Those who have trouble starting fires with other types of wood should try these pieces.

Logs with a lower moisture content light easier and reach temperature faster, and our kiln-dried Alder firewood has a moisture level of less than 20%. Alder firewood is known for producing a lot of heat and lighting up quickly.

This firewood is ideal for those who only use their heating equipment for a few hours each night, for those who have trouble starting fires, and for those who like to combine their firewood with smokeless fuel.

Alder firewood is the most budget-friendly option among our wood fuel options.

Alder Wood Splitting for Firewood:

Unlike other types of firewood, alder firewood is simple and quick to split.

Alder has a straight, homogeneous grain, so there are no knarls or knots to contend with during splitting. Either an axe or a log splitter will make splitting easy.

Alder has a loose grain, making it very simple to split the wood into various pieces. Large logs are quite easily reduced to kindling.

Once you’ve finished splitting, make sure to rapidly stack your Alderwood because it does deteriorate quickly. After splitting their alder, many people experience issues with rot and mold. Alder should be stacked farther apart than other types of firewood to ensure adequate airflow between the logs.

What are the benefits of burning Alder wood?

There are many benefits of burning Alder wood:

  • Alder is a popular type of wood for many reasons. It burns hot and fast, producing a lot of heat and light. This makes it great for starting fires and keeping them going. 
  • Alder also has a pleasant smell when burned, which can be a nice addition to any room or outdoor space.
  • Another benefit of burning Alder wood is that it doesn’t produce a lot of smoke. This means that it’s less likely to cause respiratory problems for people who are sensitive to smoke. As well as, it makes Alder an ideal choice for those who are looking for an eco-friendly option for their fireplace or wood-burning stove.
  • Additionally, the ashes from Alder wood are rich in nutrients, making them ideal for gardening and farming applications.

If you are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use type of firewood, alder is a good option.

Are there any drawbacks to using Alder wood as firewood?

Alder wood is a popular choice for firewood, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering using it:

  • Alder wood is pretty decent firewood, but it’s got some drawbacks. For example, it doesn’t burn as hot as some other woods, so it takes more to keep a fire going. 
  • Also, it doesn’t have a very long burn time. If you were looking for hardwood, you might want to consider something else.
  • Additionally, Alder produces more smoke than some other woods, so it’s important to make sure your chimney is in good working order before burning Alder wood.
  • Alder also tends to have a higher moisture content than other woods, so it’s important to let it dry out completely before burning.
  • Another issue is that Alder wood produces a lot of sparks when it burns, which can be a safety hazard.

That being said, it’s still a good choice for kindling and smaller fires where you don’t need a lot of long-lasting heat.

Firewood is a great way to heat the home and create a cozy atmosphere during the cold winter months. However, it can be challenging to find the right firewood. Alder firewood is not always easy to locate, but it is popular for a good reason. Not only does it burn well, but it has a unique scent that many people really enjoy.

With so much talk about alder firewood, we felt the need to confirm that it is indeed good firewood. It has been used for centuries as a source of heat.