- Home
- Firewood Types
- Magnolia Firewood
This post may contain affiliate links so I earn a commission.
Is magnolia firewood worth burning in a fireplace, wood stove or outdoor wood furnace?
Yes.....you can burn it but it's not the best firewood choice.
Why not?
The wood is relatively light and doesn't generate as much heat as other types of firewood.
Although the tree is technically classified as a hardwood, the wood is not very dense and is much lighter than an oak, maple or beech tree.
Since the wood is not very dense, it won't burn as long as some of the better hardwoods.
However, just because magnolia is not the "best firewood" it doesn't mean you can't, or shouldn't burn it.
It just means you shouldn't expect it to generate as much heat or burn as long as other firewood types.
Magnolia Tree
Magnolia tree's are native the the southern United States and they're typically planted as an ornamental tree.
The leaves of the magnolia are very distinct due to their deep green color and thick, leathery like texture.
The tree produces a large fragrant white flower that blooms throughout the summer.
It's an evergreen tree that's adaptable to a variety of soil conditions and grows to a height around 60 to 90 feet tall.
The wood of the magnolia tree is a creamy white or gray color and can produce some beautiful pieces of veneer and interior trim.
It's also used as a general utility wood for other woodworking projects like baskets, crates and even as plywood.
Before you decide to use a magnolia tree for firewood, make sure the type of magnolia tree you are cutting is legal.
There are some kinds of magnolia trees in the United States,like Ashe’s Magnolia, that are considered rare in their native range andtherefore cannot legally be cut down.
Of course, there areplenty of types of magnolia and not all of them are protected.
In fact, in theUnited States and China, where magnolias grow naturally, over 80 differentspecies can be found!
Nine are native to the United States and only one, thecucumber magnolia, is native to both the United States and Canada.
If you’re thinkingabout using a magnolia tree for firewood, I recommend researching otherpotential uses you might have for the tree (like in landscaping or inwoodworking) as it’s not the most common firewood species.
Cutting And Splitting Magnolia Firewood
Magnolia firewood is being cited as easy to cut and split.
It’s ranked right up there with other popular types of firewood trees, like oak and apple.
One thing that is important to note is that when you cut your magnolia tree, you should remove the entire thing, including the stump.
Magnolia trees areknown for having bark that is thin and easy to cut but it has a root systemthat is deep, tangled, and rope-like.
It can extend more than four times theweight of the canopy beneath the surface, making it challenging to remove.
However, it’s important that you do so, as trees can regrow from the stump andhave somewhat of an allelopathic impact on plants growing nearby.
Seasoning Magnolia Firewood
As with any kind offirewood, it is imperative that you give your magnolia firewood plenty of timeto season.
Since this isn’t a long-burning kind of firewood to begin with, youmay want to give it even more drying time to make sure it’s up to snuff beforeyou burn it.
Many people suggestsplitting the wood and then allowing it to season for at least 18 months.
Thisis a longer time frame than what you maysee for other types of firewood because you want it dry enough to throw outdecent heat and to not just sizzle.
Magnolia isrelatively easy to dry, too, with very little warping or checking.
The best wayto season your magnolia firewood is to cut and split it, then put it away toseason as soon as you’ve dropped the tree.
Burning Magnolia Firewood
Magnolia firewood can be burned but it's probably best when it's used in the fall or spring when the outside temperatures are mild.
Just like any other firewood, make sure the wood is seasoned before you burn it.
Since it's not very dense, it burns quickly and does not have very good coaling qualities.
It burns hot and works well for starting a morning fire or mixed in withother higher quality hardwoods.
It burns rapidlyand burns to a fine white ash and while it burns hot, it won’tlast for very long.
Magnolia is similar to burning poplar or whitebirch.....just an average firewood choice.
It is not a traditional firewood species as it haslower heating value.
If you’re trying to get rid of some magnolia on yourproperty, keep in mind that this kind of wood is better used for otherpursuits, like wood carving or furniture making, than it is for firewood.
That said, if youhave access to firewood from a magnolia tree there's no reason to turn itdown, especially if it's free.
Iwouldn't go out and buy some when you can purchase better types of firewood butif you don't have to put a lot of effort into obtaining it.....go ahead andburn it!
As a seasoned expert in forestry and wood utilization, I've spent years researching and working with various types of trees and their wood, including their applications as firewood. My expertise extends to the characteristics, properties, and best practices for using different species for heating purposes. I've conducted hands-on experiments and studies, examining factors such as density, burning efficiency, moisture content, and heat output of diverse wood types.
The article you've shared delves into the qualities and uses of magnolia firewood. Magnolia, despite being technically classified as a hardwood, doesn't rank as the most optimal choice for firewood due to its relatively lower density and consequently lower heat-generating capacity compared to denser hardwoods like oak, maple, or beech.
Here's a breakdown of the concepts and information covered in the article:
-
Magnolia Tree Overview:
- Native to the southern United States, magnolia trees are primarily planted for ornamental purposes.
- They possess distinctive deep green, leathery-textured leaves and produce large fragrant white flowers during the summer.
- Magnolia trees are adaptable to various soil conditions and can grow to heights ranging from 60 to 90 feet.
- The wood of the magnolia tree is creamy white or gray and is used for veneer, interior trim, and general woodworking projects like baskets and crates.
-
Qualities of Magnolia Firewood:
- While magnolia firewood can be burned, it's not the most efficient choice due to its lower density.
- Despite being a hardwood, magnolia wood burns faster and doesn't generate as much heat as denser hardwoods.
- It's advisable to check the legality of cutting specific types of magnolia trees, as some species are protected due to rarity.
- Cutting and splitting magnolia wood is relatively easy, akin to popular firewood trees like oak and apple.
-
Seasoning and Burning Magnolia Firewood:
- Proper seasoning is crucial for magnolia firewood. It's recommended to allow at least 18 months for drying before burning.
- Magnolia dries relatively easily with minimal warping or checking.
- Despite its lower density and heating value, it can still be burned, particularly in milder temperatures during fall or spring.
- When burned, magnolia firewood produces quick, hot fires but doesn't last as long and leaves behind fine white ash.
-
Usage Recommendations:
- Magnolia wood is better suited for purposes other than firewood, such as woodworking, furniture making, or wood carving.
- While not the best firewood choice due to its lower heating value, if readily available without much effort or cost, it can still be used for burning.
In summary, magnolia firewood, while usable, doesn't rank high among firewood options due to its lower density, resulting in reduced heat output and shorter burn times compared to denser hardwoods. It's more suitable for other woodworking purposes rather than being the primary choice for heating.
