Bonfire with green wood.

GoldenMom · #1 04/12/10, 08:39 AM

I've now got a HUGE pile of green wood (mostly evergreen) that I would prefer to go mostly away sooner than later (preferably within the next 2 weeks if the wind cooperates). Is it possible to get such a pile set on fire and have it burn reasonably well? How would one go about it?

Bearfootfarm · #2 04/12/10, 08:55 AM

It won't burn well , but if you can start a fire with some good DRY wood, and build a bed of coals, you can try adding the green to it and see what happens.

Trying to ignite the whole pile would probably be more frustration than accomplishment

GoldenMom · #3 04/12/10, 09:00 AM

Now BFF, that's not what you are supposed to say. Don't you know that when people come on here asking for advice that they only want hear advice from people who think what they want to do is possible!

Thanks so much for your reply.

tinknal · #4 04/12/10, 09:04 AM

Is it limbs and brush, or large chunks of wood? If it is just brushy stuff you should be able to get it to burn with a little dry wood. If you can find a half a dozen old pallets to pile it on you should be able to get it to burn.

**Cabin Fever** · #5 04/12/10, 09:42 AM

I'm with the others. Start a small fire with dry wood and then start adding the green wood, slowly at first, and then faster as the size of the fire increases.

GoldenMom · #6 04/12/10, 09:44 AM

Mostly branches but some bigger chunks. I actually won't be horribly upset if the big stuff doesn't burn. When the wind is right, I'll have to work on it.

Allen W · #7 04/12/10, 09:58 AM

What kind of evergreen? Ceder with needles on will burn like a barrel of gas once it takes off. I don't know about pine. If its stacked tight it could burn up good except for the bigger chunks.

ronbre · #8 04/12/10, 10:33 AM

my experience with green wood is that it can kinda explode and can send some hot embers pretty large distances..so if there is a chance of a wildfire i would sure be careful and make sure all precautions are taken.

myself..i would use a chipper and make it useful rather than burn it if you can

Wolf mom · #9 04/12/10, 11:10 AM

Yuppers - cedar - will go up in a flash. I burned down a small live cedar tree once in a second - absolutely amazing - thinking I was safe, 'cause it was alive. Most pine branches I've dealt with will burn fast unless it's a trunk.

GoldenMom · #10 04/12/10, 11:43 AM

I think it's some kind of pine. Not for sure though. I don't have a chipper unfortunately, so I'm just trying to get as much of it gone as possible.

Bearfootfarm · #11 04/12/10, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Now BFF, that's not what you are supposed to say

LOL Just going by my frustrating experiences when I get too impatient to let them dry

Next time I'll say it will do just fine, but you have to promise not to get mad at me if I'm wrong

GoldenMom · #12 04/12/10, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

LOL Just going by my frustrating experiences when I get too impatient to let them dry

Next time I'll say it will do just fine, but you have to promise not to get mad at me if I'm wrong

Oh no, you know it WILL be your fault if it doesn't work right!