Black Locust Firewood Black Locust is a common Tree found in many woodlands.   If you have access to it ; however bad it looks , don't pass it by. Black Locust has among the highest BTUs, as shown by this mini-chart. It is also among the heaviest per cubic foot; two real measures of Cord Value. Its fragrance rivals Citrus Blossoms.

Downed Black Locust trees may be covered with green Mosses, and to the inexperienced eye it may look worthless, but the savvy Sawyer knows it remains solid under the worst of conditions, long after most wood will have become a soft,  pithy home for Insects.  This dead specimen has long since lost its Bark, and is prime dried Firewood, waiting for the experienced Burner of Wood to wander by with his Chainsaw and two Helpers to keep the Chains sharp. A dead Locust Tree is often identified by its total loss of Bark, which has long since fallen off and decomposed on the Forest Floor, while the Tree remains standing. Whether Locust Trees die of old age or Disease, they usually stand upright for years, until the rocking motion of the wind slowly lifts the roots out of the soil, when the tree will topple over with the attached roots in a vertical position. Locust is know as a superior wood for Fence Posts. Settlers probably discovered these ready-made Posts splitting on the Forest floor (as shown in the first photo above). They will last for many years without any painting or preservatives. Insects and rot have minimal effect on it. Woodpeckers and Beavers wont even try to penetrate its hard-as-nails Cellulose.  The Locust blossom fragrance rivals Lilac, Honeysuckle, and Trailing Arbutus and fills the evening air with a hint of Paradise.

Locust Trees get tall and are said to have Toxins which are death to plants and Leaf-eating Horses. Much as the Juglone found in Black Walnut Trees. Farmers may welcome you and your Chainsaw to their fence rows where Locust grows.

If you burn Locust in a Fireplace, have a tight-fitting Screen.
Locust is known for its Shower of Sparks.

If you find fallen Trees with the Roots attached,
they act as a giant Cant Hook, holding the Trunk off the ground;
just start cutting at the top and end at the Roots.

Locust Roots burn as well as the trunk and limbs,
but be vigilant for embedded Stones; they are not kind to saw teeth.

An added benefit is the minimal Insects brought indoors,
especially if it has no sheltering Bark attached.

 

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