Elm Ashes Like Concretei

Fergienewbee · Mar 14, 2014

I haul wood with my TO-30 to keep it tractor related.

I have been burning dead elm 100% the last few weeks. The ashes are just like concrete as opposed to being soft and talc-like. Other wood burns fine and has typical ashes. Does anyone else experience that with elm?

Larry

Billy NY · Mar 14, 2014

Yes, does the same here no matter what it is of elm, fresh cut (split/1yr seasoned), punked but dry, or dead but no punk & dry, all of it leaves a crust, I always wondered why.

Its not bad as I can leave the layer of it in my stove, insulating the floor of the stove, til clean out again. Also the coals don't last as long as other hardwoods, but the seasoned, split wood, ignites very easily, and throws a lot of heat quickly, funny how various species burn differently, I've burned 2 full cord of elm this year so far, and it does not look like the end of winter is in sight yet either LOL !

David G · Mar 14, 2014

You need to clean them out quickly, they seem to hydrate and crust.

Russ from MN · Mar 14, 2014

We burn a quite a bit of elm, but it is almost always mixed with something else, and I haven't noticed that problem. I will put a couple of larger sticks in at night. What we have in N MN is called pi$$ elm, I don't know if its the same across the country.

David G · Mar 14, 2014

Probably white elm, we have a lot of red elm in Iowa. It will lay on the ground for 30 years, more like cedar.

Goose · Mar 14, 2014

That's what we call it here in Nebraska, too, 'cause in July and August the sap from the tree land on everything near it and is almost impossible to clean off.

Paul from MI · Mar 14, 2014

I've burned a lot of elm over the last 40 years. I have never noticed this problem, but much of the wood was from trees killed by dutch elm disease. Maybe that makes a difference?

GVSII · Mar 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 10:59:19 03/14/14) I haul wood with my TO-30 to keep it tractor related.

I have been burning dead elm 100% the last few weeks. The ashes are just like concrete as opposed to being soft and talc-like. Other wood burns fine and has typical ashes. Does anyone else experience that with elm?

Larry

Any elm I burn will leave some real clinkers behind.I pull them to the front of the stove and let the draft air go to work on them.They" melt down" in a short time and look/feel just like ashes should.

Phil in Pa · Mar 14, 2014

I haven't noticed that here. I've burnt elm this
year and last. What I did learn is they make a LOT
of ashes in a short time, it seems we're constantly
cleaning out the stove when it's really cold.

Next winter it's on to black walnut, which should
prove interesting. Never used that before.

T in NE · Mar 14, 2014

Occasionally I'll have a huge chunk of something in the bottom of the stove that looks like glowing crystals. Sometimes it burns out now and then I have to break it up and scoop it out.

Elm Ashes Like Concretei

Fergienewbee

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Billy NY

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David G

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Russ from MN

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David G

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Goose

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Paul from MI

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GVSII

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Phil in Pa

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T in NE

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