Bloody willow!!

[Smellydog]

Last summer I cut some willow.
Mrs says she wants a fire to dry the washing.
I thinks, I'll try that willow, it's seasoned and dry.
The bloody stuff won't stay in and there is no heat in it at all!
Shall not make that mistake again!

 

[HonestJohn]

Also saves your laundry smelling like feu de bois !

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Yup, there is better wood out there to burn.

 

[timbrayford]

Sounds like you're not getting it hot enough to release the volatile gases, perhaps mix it with something else, even a bit of charcoal?

 

[Will the chippy]

I think theres an old tale about seasoning wood for a year but Willow needs 2. And on an open fire it'll spit like mad, fine if you have a log burner but if there is any other wood then use that first.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

I burn a lot of willow, seasoned at least 2 years. Firebox just willow ok but best mixed with other hardwood. In grate on open fire best with some coal mixed in, not too much spitting then.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Could have been much worse had it been cherry laurel!

K

 

[Skogsmannen]

Willow's funny stuff and burning wise varies a lot between different species of it. Some of them feel very light and almost dry when they are fresh felled which can lead people into thinking it's ready before it is. Goat Willow is the complete opposite and burns really well.

Try splitting some of it a bit smaller and there's half a chance it'll take a little better than it is just now.

Also, most of those old firewood poems are pretty much just that - a better one would be (and I can't take credit for it) "wood burns, water doesn't"

 

[Bo Diddley]

When you cut the willow, be sure to store it where it's difficult to retrieve. Look to burn it when it's as light as a feather, then it hangs in the log burner like a big lump of coal all evening.
I found a piece I cut 10 years ago at the bottom of the log store a few weeks ago, it brought back some memories for the gf & me. I helped her brother cut a huge willow down at her mother's. Sadly, both her brother and mother have passed, but it brought back happy memories of scoffing cheese scones and sausage rolls fresh out of her mother's oven on a Sunday morning

 

[JonR]

Turn it into charcoal - it's excellent