Poplar is a hardwood, although its firewood exhibits the qualities of a softwood. So does that mean Poplar firewood is as good as other hardwoods like oak? Continue reading to learn more about poplar wood for burning.
What is Poplar Firewood?
Poplar fustigate trees growing in rows.
Poplar firewood is a lightweight, low-density hardwood that is relatively softer than most hardwoods. The firewood comes from a poplar tree native to the Northern Hemisphere.
Poplar firewood is easy to light and burns quickly. However, the wood produces low-quality cooking coals and has a low heat production compared to most other types of firewood.
Burn Qualities of Poplar Firewood
Summer landscape with poplars on a sunny day.
Pine firewood is the wood closest to Poplar regarding its burning characteristics.
Heat Production
Rows of Poplar.
Poplar firewood is a poor heat producer as it yields about 13.7 million BTUs from one cord of fully dry poplars wood.
And poplar produces about half the volume of heat as compared to other hardwood.
Smoke Production
Firewood in a wood stove.
Fully dry poplar firewood produces a moderate amount of smoke. However, burning wet poplar firewoods produces more smoke.
Seasoning Time
Amazing poplars alley in an autumn sunset.
Poplar wood seasons fast, taking about four months to season thoroughly. However, the wood requires about six months for complete seasoning.
Burning Smell
Poplars near Tromello, Lomellina (Italy).
When fully dry, poplar does not produce any foul smell. However, burning wet poplar firewoods has a stinky smell.
Creosote Buildup
Poplar firewood has a modest amount of creosote compared to other firewoods. If you burn the wood when it is unseasoned, the creosote formed is greater and can cause a fire hazard.
Cleaning your chimney at least once annually can reduce the risks of fire hazards.
Ease of Splitting
Despite being hardwood, poplar wood is easy to split and work. Please keep large pieces of poplar wood to extend its burn time.
Different Types of Poplar Firewood
A Forest of Poplars.
Poplar wood has over 30 species of different features and properties. Learn about these three major species:
- White Poplar/ Populus alba
It is sometimes called Silverleaf or silver poplar and is common in about 43 states. Connecticut banned Populus alba as they considered it invasive. Silver poplar has diamond-shaped bark with unique silver color making it easy to identify. The species can grow up to 100 feet high.
- Black Poplar/ Populus nigra
Populus nigra is a shorter species growing up to 50 feet, and the wood is slimmer than all other poplar species. Its leaves have a triangle shape.
- Balsam poplar/ Populus balsamifera
Populus balsamifera is the tallest species growing up to 130 feet. The tree has thick and smelly substances coming out of its buds.
How to Identify Poplar Firewood
You can tell Poplar firewoods from the following features.
By the leaf
Flowering poplar tree with green leaves on branches.
Although poplar has different species with varying characteristics, most of these species have green and darker leaves except for Populus alba with silvery-white leaves. The leaves have pointy ends and round bases.
Poplar leaves have an alternate arrangement with varying sizes.
By the Bark
A Poplar Tree Trunk.
The barks of poplar trees are white to silver-gray with a smooth texture, fissuring with maturity.
Comparison to Other Woods
| Type of Firewood | BTU value | Ease of Splitting | Coal production | Overall Quality |
| Poplar | 14 | Easy | Poor | Moderate |
| Bur Oak | 26 | Easy | Good | Exemplary |
| Maple | 25 | Easy | Exemplary | Exemplary |
| Green Ash | 20 | Easy | Good | Exemplary |
| Pine | 21 | Easy | Poor | Moderate |
| Birch | 27 | Moderate | Exemplary | Exemplary |
Conclusion
In a nutshell, poplar firewoods are not the best choice for burning indoors. However, firewood is an ideal option for campfires.