The eternal 

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland) 10/20/2020 at 22:06 • Filed to: Fire

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I started this fire on Sunday to burn a birch tree I cut down on Saturday. Birch is lousy fire wood so it was off to the outdoor fire pit. It’s Tuesday and it’s still burning...

facw > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/20/2020 at 22:15

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Birch is lousy fire wood 

Huh, I’ve always found Birch to burn really well. IIRC, it has some sort of oil in the bark that makes it really flammable?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > facw 10/20/2020 at 22:24

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The bark is basically gasoline but the wood doesn’t burn for shit. I’m not sure what that’s all about.

functionoverfashion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/20/2020 at 22:41

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This is why a “brush fire” permit around here specifies nothing over 4" in diameter. Now, no one actually  follows that, but it’s written down anyway. 

functionoverfashion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/20/2020 at 22:43

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I have decent luck with birch if it’s cut and split soon after felling - otherwise it rots quickly, like poplar or beech. Most wood will release more moisture if cut and stacked in a timely manner though, so maybe birch is just more reluctant to release that moisture. But it can burn well when it’s properly dry. 

Aremmes > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/20/2020 at 22:49

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Have you tried boring the logs to make a rocket stove? Drill a hole through the core down roughly two thirds of the way to meet with a perpendicular bore coming from the side. Then stash some small kindling into the side bore, set the log down with the core bore facing upwards, and light it up. It’ll burn the log from the inside out.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/20/2020 at 22:52

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Maybe too wet? When I milled a birch log a few years ago, it was almost dripping water it was so wet.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > facw 10/20/2020 at 23:10

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its the layers of bark that trap in moisture

https://downtoearthhomesteaders.com/is-birch-good-for-firewood/#:~:text=White%20Birch%2C%20also%20known%20as,far%20northern%20states%20and%20Canada.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > functionoverfashion 10/21/2020 at 09:01

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The tree has been dead standing for one year so it’s pretty dry. It just doesn’t  compare to fit or larch as fire wood tho.

Nom De Plume > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/21/2020 at 12:31

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UV melt all the snow or has it been warm there?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Nom De Plume 10/21/2020 at 12:39

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It mostly melted yesterday, and started snowing again this morning. I got a quick ride in last night after work. I’d like a few more rides before hanging up the bike for the season.

Nom De Plume > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/21/2020 at 12:47

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I had my first 2-3 full on wipeouts of the year yesterday within about 100' on one road. That was my signal conditions had changed to unrideable and I should walk the bike to clear unrutted sidewalk.

A mount of police and ambulance within earshot the preceding 15 minutes validated that assessment .