Birch wood has a high calorific value and is therefore the favorite firewood for many people. If you have felled a birch tree in your garden or purchased a freshly cut birch tree that you would like to use as firewood, the fuel must first be dried professionally.
How do I dry birch wood correctly?
In order to dry birch wood properly, it should be freshly split, stored for at least 1.5 to 2 years and not in contact with the ground. An air-permeable cover protects the wood from moisture and prevents mold formation.
What advantages does birch have as a heating material?
Birch wood has a very good calorific value of around 1,900 kWh per m³. It is easily flammable and has an attractive flame pattern with a beautiful blue color. Birch wood begins to burn at medium heat and quickly produces a pleasant warmth.
The essential oils make it burn with a pleasant smell and are therefore ideal for the fire bowl on the terrace or the open fireplace, for example. The advantage here is that with birch you don't have to worry about dangerous flying sparks.
You can also use the pretty white bark. It makes excellent tinder for lighting the fire.
Store and dry birch wood
In order to achieve the very good calorific value, the wood must be well dried. Unfortunately, birch wood is one of the types of wood that tends to dry slowly. Proceed as follows when storing and drying:
- Split birch firewood when it is fresh, as it is then easier to chop.
- A storage period of at least 1.5 years is recommended. It is even better to wait two years before using the firewood.
- Dry birch wood forms a natural protection thanks to the oils it contains, so that moisture can only penetrate with difficulty.
- Mould formation on wood stored outdoors is therefore almost impossible.
- However, this only applies to split material. If it has not yet been chopped, there is a risk that the birch wood will rot. You can recognize this by the black cut edges.
- When stacking, make sure that the firewood to be dried is not in contact with the ground.
- Protect the birch firewood additionally with a cover under which the air can circulate.
Tip
It is often stated that birch wood does not need to be dried before being burned. We can only advise against this, as damp wood in the fireplace can be dangerous, has a lower calorific value and tends to smoke.
