If you have ever wondered if black walnut is good firewood, you’re not alone. Black walnut is known for its high-quality wood used in furniture, but can it heat your home too? Let’s explore the benefits and downsides of using black walnut as firewood.
What is Black Walnut?
Black walnut is a hardwood tree. It’s native to North America. People often prize it for its dark, beautiful wood. Furniture makers love it, and it’s also used in flooring and cabinets. But when it comes to firewood, things are a bit different.
The Burn Quality of Black Walnut
Black walnut does burn, but not as well as some other hardwoods. It produces moderate heat. If you’re looking for a fire that will keep your home toasty in winter, black walnut may not be the best choice. Its heat output is lower than oak or hickory. However, it can still be helpful for shorter fires.
Heat Output
When measuring firewood, people look at the BTU (British Thermal Unit). This tells you how much heat the wood will give off when burned. Black walnut has a BTU rating of about 22 million BTUs per cord. This is moderate. By comparison, oak can produce up to 30 million BTUs per cord. So, while black walnut can warm your space, it may take more wood to achieve the same heat as oak or other high-BTU woods.
Seasoning Time
Black walnut, like all wood, needs to be seasoned before it’s burned. Freshly cut or “green” wood has too much moisture. Burning green wood creates more smoke and less heat. It also leads to creosote buildup in your chimney, which can be dangerous.
Black walnut takes about a year to season. After that, it will burn cleaner and hotter. Make sure to split the logs soon after cutting. This speeds up the drying process.
Is Black Walnut Hard to Split?
Some hardwoods are tough to split. Fortunately, black walnut is not one of them. It splits fairly easily compared to oak or maple. If you cut your own firewood, this is a nice bonus. It also means you can have well-sized logs for your fire without too much effort.
Smoke and Creosote Buildup
One concern with using any type of firewood is how much smoke it produces. Black walnut doesn’t create too much smoke when it’s dry. But if you burn it while it's still wet, you’ll see a lot more smoke.
Burning wet wood can lead to creosote buildup. Creosote is a sticky, flammable substance that collects in chimneys. If too much creosote builds up, it can cause chimney fires. That’s why it’s always best to use seasoned wood.
Fragrance and Aroma
When burned, black walnut has a pleasant smell. Some people describe it as earthy or nutty. The scent isn’t overwhelming, but it adds a nice touch to a cozy fire. This makes it a good choice for fireplaces where the aroma matters, like indoors or at social gatherings.
Is Black Walnut Toxic?
One thing to be cautious about is black walnut’s toxicity. The wood itself is not dangerous to burn. However, black walnut trees produce a chemical called juglone. This chemical can be harmful to some plants. If you use the ashes from black walnut firewood in your garden, be careful. It can affect certain plants, especially tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. The juglone in the ash can stunt their growth or even kill them.
Using Black Walnut for Cooking
If you enjoy cooking over an open flame, black walnut may not be the best choice. While it smells nice, it doesn’t impart much flavor to food. Woods like hickory or apple are better for adding a smoky flavor to meats. Plus, the toxicity mentioned earlier may be a concern. It’s always best to stick with woods that are known to be safe for cooking.
Availability of Black Walnut
Black walnut is not as common as other hardwoods like oak or maple. Since it’s often used for high-end furniture, it’s not harvested as much for firewood. This can make it harder to find and more expensive. If you have access to a black walnut tree on your property, it’s a different story. But if you need to buy it, you might want to compare the cost to other types of firewood.
Is Black Walnut Worth It?
So, is black walnut good firewood? The answer depends on what you need. If you’re looking for a firewood that burns hot and long, there are better choices. Woods like oak, hickory, or ash would serve you better. However, if you have access to black walnut and need moderate heat for a short fire, it can work just fine.
Here are some pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros:
- Splits easily
- Pleasant aroma
- Moderate heat output
- Low smoke when seasoned
Cons:
- Lower heat than other hardwoods
- Can be more expensive
- Toxic ash can harm plants
- Not ideal for cooking
Conclusion
Black walnut is not the first choice for firewood, but it’s not a bad option either. If it’s what you have available, it will work—especially if you season it well. But if you’re buying firewood and want the best heat, consider oak or hickory instead.
In the end, black walnut can add warmth and ambiance to your fires, but it may take a little more effort to get the most out of it. Keep these points in mind, and you’ll be able to make the best decision for your firewood needs.