What Types of Trees Produce the Best Firewood?
Australia has a diverse range of forest, from alpine, to temperate, to rainforest. Although there are many firewood trees in Australia, each species has its own burning rate, flame, smoke, and ash production capacities. These features highly depend on the density and tannin composition of the wood. The most reliable way to choose the desirable firewood is to try the woods available in your region and mix some hardwood and plantation grown eucalyptus for the best flame.
What are the Characteristics of an Ideal Firewood?
- It should have a moderate combustion rate
- It should be dense enough to burn for more extended periods
- It should have low tannin composition
- It should have a moisture content at or below 20%
- It should be sourced from a sustainably managed forest
Which Trees Produce the Best Firewood?
- Eucalyptus trees: There is a wide variety of Eucalyptus trees used as firewood in Australia. These are highly dense hardwood varieties giving a slow-burning and high heating flame. Each species has distinct characteristics, making it the most common firewood tree. Some species of Eucalyptus are-
- Eucalyptus cypellocarpa (Common grey gum)
- Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah)- It is the most common hardwood Eucalyptus variety available in NSW.
- Eucalyptus microcarpa (Grey box)- This is the best wood for home fires for a slow and constant flame.
- Eucalyptus punctata (Grey gum)
- Eucalyptus alba (White gum/ Wandoo)
- Eucalyptus pilularis (Blackbutt/ Pink Blackbutt)
- Acacia trees: They are also known as Wattle and are the largest genus of vascular plants in Australia, with around 1000 species throughout the continent. They are most commonly used for making fine-quality furniture today, but some species can still be used for firewood, like-
- Acacia binervata (Two-veined Hickory)
- Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle)
- Acacia decurrens (Early black wattle)
- Acacia elata (Cedar Wattle)
- Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)
- Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood)
- Ironbark trees: It has a dark and deeply furrowed bark. Unlike other Eucalyptus varieties, the bark of an Ironwood does not shed every year and instead deposits on itself. The tree exudes a dark red gum (kino). The three taxonomic groups used in firewood are-
- Eucalyptus paniculata (Grey Ironbark)
- Eucalyptus sideroxylon var. rosea (Black Ironbark)
- Eucalyptus crebra (Red Ironbark)
- Spotted gum trees: Also called the Australian timber tree, it is primarily used in making handles for tools that face high impact, like axes. It is ideal for indoor fires and produces a high heat flame with very little smoke. The variety Corymbia maculata (syn Eucalyptus maculata) of spotted gum trees can be used as firewood.
- Myrtle or Paperback trees: The myrtle family is endemic to the Australian continent. They are also called tea trees and have high economic value as the tea tree oil is extracted from them. Some paperback trees used as firewood are-
- Melaleuca armillaris (Bracelet honey myrtle)
- Melaleuca linariifolia (Flax leaf paperback)
- Melaleuca styphelioides (Prickly paperback)
About Smart Firewood
Sustainable resources for firewood are a great way to help nature restore itself while enjoying the warmth and ambiance of a wood fire. Smart Firewood delivers a convenient, local, thoughtful, and sustainable supply of premium plantation hardwood firewood in the Northern Rivers, NSW. Contact us today by calling at 0475-786-410 or fill our contact form for orders and more details.