WIll you burn anything (pine, aspen, birch, cedar, etc.), or do you limit yourself to one species of wood. My group burns 100% cedar, using only hint of birch bark as fire starter.

I will burn just about anything in condition to be burned.

If it's dead and dry ,it gets burned.

Ditto!!

ditto. Anything dead

I prefer cedar if possible. I burn a lot of Eastern Red Cedar here at home in the firepit I have in the back yard. The sound of a crackling fire and the shadows from the firelight... Cool!

Bruce

I don't care as long as it's appropriate to burn. Is there some benefit to only cedar that I'm not aware of? BTW, I don't cook over it in the BW...we like it for an evening campfire. I LOVE sitting by the fire in the evening in the wilderness...ah, heaven.

I like cedar but it tends to be scarce... I'll burn anything dead, down and away from camp. I've been on some campsites that look like they've been manicured there is so little firewood.

I don't think I've ever found any cedar to burn.

The thing about burning cedar (unless there's something else I don't know about) is the smell.

I burn it all. And I tend to repackage some foods in paper/wax paper too. Less trash to haul out and is good tinder to boot.

Hell, I'd burn my shoes if I didn't need them to portage out.

I'm partial to oak and maple.

After having a little trouble finding wood last year, I'm in the "any wood that's available" club.

I've been on long backpacking trips where we've said if it's edible or flammable, it's not coming back with us.

Any kind for me. If it is dry and small enough to burn or able to be split, it goes into the fire.

Any kind for me. If it is dry and small enough to burn or able to be split, it goes into the fire.

I agree with the split'n part. I thought I was the only one bull headed enough to lug the weight of a hatchet just so the wood would burn better.

Dead and Dry.

Boppa

Alot has to do with the area I'm in, if hardwood is available I tend to stick with that.

Partial snob. I prefer burning and cooking with cedar because it burns hotter and longer, but I will use whatever is available when I have no choice.

I like hard maple that has dried for a few years. But I've never found that in the BWCA.

I'll burn anything, but there are woods I avoid. Balsam fir burns fast and doesn't give off much heat, so I avoid it except for the small branches which I use for kindling.

I don't like aspen, usually because it gets a little punky and puts out a smoky fire.

Spruce is one of the better ones that is available up there. Either branches or a sapling which has been shade suppressed and died standing.

The pines are good when you can get them. White pine tends to get punky. One thing that works really well is pine with pitch in it, like in knots (which Sig Olson writes about) or old stumps which probably come from long ago fires. The pitch wood burns practically for however. However, it's a non renewable resource, so I no longer seek it out. Jack pine burns very hot.

I don't find cedar very often.

Birch is a great wood, but it will rot unless the bark is removed, so it is rare to find any unless it is a beaver stick.

Probably more than you wanted to know....

Ash is the best burning wood. Hands down. Cedar is nice, too, and leaves a nice scent in the air. I am no wood snob, but I hear what you're saying about being picky...especially if you are cooking over the fire.

Dead and dry. I'll jump for cedar or ash if its there.

there's a natural bug repellant in cedar too, right? or is that just a camp tale.

ash for cooking. anything else for pleasure.

For warmth I use whatever is readily available.

For cooking I prefer hardwoods-but again sometimes that is not an option so I will use what is available.

Where do you guys get ash in the BWCA? I know the black ash is a common lowland tree, I've just never run across it in a seasoned state. Maybe I haven't worked hard enough.

Don't really pay attention to what I am burning as long as it is dead & dry. However, I do really like the birch bark. It has always worked for a great fire starter.

For cooking we use cedar or poplar due to less soot on the cooking pots, easier cleanup.
For warming or evening campfire anything dry.

I will use anything that I find as long as it is dry. Cedar is tough for me to find since it is usually close to the water and I really do try to leave all that stuff alone even if it is dead.

Ash grows in little coves and in the back end of bays.many times the beavers use it for food so you can find dead pieces about anywhere in tall grass where the high water mark is.you dont think of the bwca as a place to find oak but if you ever get the chance climb warrior hill on lac la croix and you will be ammazed by the nice oak stand up on top.(great view and an outstanding blueberry spot)

The only thing we won't burn is Basswood. :)

What ever is dead and down and not to big for my little saw and axe. Cedar would be nice but I cannot recall ever finding any dead. Aspen/birch split well and ash is good. Sadly there may be a lot of dead ash in the upcoming years. Pine is probably my least favorite, all the twists and knots can make it tricky to split.

i tend to burn anything. i love splitting wood, it burns nicer, and for me feels like a nice work out,
favorite wood.. cherry, it burns the prettiest. but pine smells the best.

What ever is dead and dry. We also tend to split the wood for a better burn. Don't end up with half burnt logs that way.

tony

I always go stump hunt'n. I hate seeing cut off trees in the woods. I will try and take any stumps I find and use for fire wood. Seeing cut off trees looks so unnatural, so puuting them to good use only seems natural.

I only burn White Pine.

burn it!!!!
but make sure its dead, down wood first
then burn it
oh and keep the fire somewhat small
then burn it

that was fun to say
burn it.........then put it out.......dead out
try to leave some for the next group if possible so they may
BURN IT
:O)

If its made of wood and came from the surronding forest...burn baby burn!