Is Persimmon Good Firewood? Ultimate Guide to Burning Persimmon

Is persimmon good firewood? This question often arises among homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts seeking the best wood for their fireplaces, wood stoves, or campfires. Persimmon, a hardwood tree known for its delicious fruit, also has potential as a firewood source. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the characteristics of persimmon wood, its burning properties, and how it compares to other popular firewoods. We’ll delve into the pros and cons of using persimmon as firewood, discuss its availability, and provide practical tips for those considering it as a heat source. Whether you’re a seasoned woodburner or new to the world of firewood, this article will help you determine if persimmon is the right choice for your heating needs.

Understanding Persimmon Wood

Before we dive into the firewood qualities of persimmon, it’s essential to understand the tree itself and its wood characteristics.

The Persimmon Tree

The persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana) is native to the eastern United States and belongs to the ebony family. It’s known for its sweet, edible fruit and dense, hard wood. Persimmon trees can grow up to 60 feet tall and are often found in mixed hardwood forests, fields, and along roadsides.

Wood Characteristics

Persimmon wood is notable for its unique properties:

1. Density: Persimmon is one of the densest woods in North America, with a specific gravity of around 0.79.
2. Hardness: It ranks high on the Janka hardness scale, making it resistant to wear and tear.
3. Color: The heartwood is typically dark brown to nearly black, while the sapwood is pale yellow to white.
4. Grain: Persimmon has a fine, uniform texture with a straight grain pattern.

These characteristics contribute to its potential as firewood, which we’ll explore in the following sections.

Persimmon as Firewood: Pros and Cons

To determine if persimmon is good firewood, let’s examine its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Persimmon Firewood

1. High Heat Output: Due to its density, persimmon wood produces a significant amount of heat when burned. It has a high BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating, making it an excellent choice for heating.
2. Long-burning: The dense nature of persimmon wood means it burns slowly, providing long-lasting heat. This can be particularly beneficial for overnight burning in wood stoves.
3. Low Smoke Production: When properly seasoned, persimmon wood burns relatively cleanly with minimal smoke, making it suitable for indoor use in fireplaces and wood stoves.
4. Attractive Coals: Persimmon produces long-lasting, hot coals, which are great for maintaining heat and for cooking.
5. Pleasant Aroma: While not as fragrant as some fruit woods, persimmon has a mild, sweet scent when burned, which can add a pleasant atmosphere to your home.

Disadvantages of Persimmon Firewood

1. Limited Availability: Persimmon trees are not as common as other hardwoods like oak or maple, which can make the wood harder to find and potentially more expensive.
2. Difficult to Split: The dense, interlocked grain of persimmon wood can make it challenging to split, especially when green. This may require more effort or specialized tools for processing.
3. Long Seasoning Time: Due to its density, persimmon wood takes longer to dry properly compared to other hardwoods. It may require 1-2 years of seasoning for optimal burning.
4. Potential for Sparking: Some users report that persimmon wood can occasionally produce sparks when burned, which may be a concern for open fireplaces.
5. Not Ideal for Starter Fires: The high density and slow-burning nature of persimmon make it less suitable for starting fires quickly. It’s better used in combination with other woods for kindling.

Comparing Persimmon to Other Firewoods

To better understand how persimmon stacks up as firewood, let’s compare it to some popular alternatives:

Wood Type	Heat Output (BTU/cord)	Ease of Splitting	Smoke Production	Spark Production	Coaling Quality
Persimmon	24.9 million	Difficult	Low	Moderate	Excellent
Oak	24.6 million	Moderate	Low	Low	Excellent
Hickory	27.7 million	Difficult	Low	Low	Excellent
Maple	24.0 million	Easy	Low	Low	Good
Pine	18.1 million	Easy	High	High	Poor

As we can see from this comparison, persimmon holds its own against other popular hardwoods in terms of heat output and coaling quality. Its BTU rating is comparable to oak and slightly higher than maple, making it an excellent heat source.

Heat Output and Efficiency

Persimmon’s high BTU rating of 24.9 million BTU per cord places it among the top-tier firewoods for heat production. This means it can provide substantial warmth, making it an efficient choice for home heating or outdoor fires.

Burning Characteristics

When properly seasoned, persimmon burns hot and slow, producing long-lasting coals. This characteristic makes it ideal for maintaining consistent heat in wood stoves or for cooking fires. The low smoke production is another advantage, especially for those sensitive to smoke or using wood for indoor heating.

Ease of Use

The main drawback of persimmon as firewood is its difficulty in splitting and long seasoning time. This can make it less convenient for those who process their own firewood or need quick-drying options. However, for those willing to put in the effort or who can source pre-seasoned persimmon wood, these challenges are outweighed by its excellent burning qualities.

Harvesting and Processing Persimmon Firewood

If you’re considering using persimmon as firewood, it’s important to understand the proper methods for harvesting and processing this dense hardwood.

Identifying Persimmon Trees

Before harvesting, ensure you can correctly identify a persimmon tree:

• Look for trees with dark, blocky bark that resembles alligator skin.
• Leaves are oval-shaped, dark green on top and pale underneath.
• In autumn, look for small, round orange fruits (if present).

Best Practices for Harvesting

1. Timing: The best time to harvest persimmon is during the tree’s dormant season, typically late fall to early spring.
2. Sustainable Harvesting: Only harvest dead, dying, or damaged trees to maintain forest health.
3. Legal Considerations: Ensure you have the right to harvest the tree, whether on private property (with permission) or public land (with proper permits).

Splitting Persimmon Wood

Given persimmon’s dense nature, splitting requires some special considerations:

1. Use the Right Tools: A heavy maul or hydraulic splitter is often necessary due to the wood’s toughness.
2. Split When Fresh: Persimmon is easier to split when green, before it has a chance to dry and harden further.
3. Follow the Grain: Look for natural cracks or lines in the wood to guide your splitting.
4. Consider Smaller Pieces: Due to its high heat output, smaller splits of persimmon can be advantageous for better fire control.

Proper Seasoning Techniques

Seasoning persimmon wood is crucial for optimal burning:

1. Allow Ample Time: Given its density, persimmon typically requires 1-2 years to properly season.
2. Stack Properly: Use a method that allows for good airflow, such as the traditional stack-and-cover method or a holz hausen.
3. Protect from Elements: While allowing for airflow, protect the wood from excessive rain and snow to facilitate drying.
4. Check Moisture Content: Use a wood moisture meter to ensure the wood has reached a moisture content of 20% or less before burning.

Best Uses for Persimmon Firewood

Understanding the characteristics of persimmon wood allows us to identify its ideal uses as firewood.

Home Heating

Persimmon excels as a fuel for home heating due to its high heat output and long burn time. It’s particularly well-suited for:

1. Wood Stoves: The dense wood provides sustained heat, making it excellent for overnight burns.
2. Fireplaces: While it may not ignite as quickly as softer woods, persimmon can provide long-lasting warmth once burning.
3. Masonry Heaters: The high heat capacity of persimmon makes it ideal for these efficient heating systems.

Outdoor Uses

Persimmon firewood also has several excellent outdoor applications:

1. Campfires: Its long-burning nature makes it great for maintaining a campfire throughout the night.
2. Cooking Fires: The hot, long-lasting coals are perfect for grilling or cooking in a fire pit.
3. Smokers: While not as commonly used as fruit woods like apple or cherry, persimmon can impart a mild, sweet flavor to smoked foods.

Blending with Other Woods

Persimmon can be effectively used in combination with other woods:

1. Mix with Softer Woods: Combine persimmon with softer, quicker-igniting woods for easier fire starting.
2. Supplement Low-Heat Woods: Use persimmon to boost the heat output of lower-BTU woods like pine or cedar.
3. Extend Burn Time: Add persimmon logs to increase the longevity of your fire when burning faster-consuming woods.

Environmental Considerations

When considering any firewood, it’s important to think about its environmental impact.

Sustainability

Persimmon can be a sustainable firewood choice when harvested responsibly:

1. Selective Harvesting: Focusing on dead, dying, or damaged trees helps maintain forest health.
2. Slow Growth: Persimmon trees grow relatively slowly, so it’s crucial to balance harvesting with natural regeneration.
3. Local Sourcing: Using locally sourced persimmon reduces transportation emissions and supports local ecosystems.

Emissions

When properly seasoned and burned in an efficient stove or fireplace, persimmon produces relatively low emissions:

1. Low Smoke: Well-dried persimmon burns cleanly, reducing particulate matter in the air.
2. Efficient Burning: The high heat output means less wood is needed overall, potentially reducing overall emissions.
3. Carbon Neutral: Like all woods, persimmon is considered carbon neutral when harvested sustainably, as the carbon released during burning is recaptured by growing trees.

Tips for Burning Persimmon Firewood

To get the most out of your persimmon firewood, consider these tips:

1. Ensure Proper Seasoning: Given its density, make absolutely sure your persimmon is well-seasoned before burning.
2. Use for Overnight Burns: Take advantage of persimmon’s long burn time for maintaining heat through the night.
3. Combine with Lighter Woods: Mix persimmon with lighter, easier-igniting woods to help get your fire started.
4. Control Air Flow: Due to its high heat output, you may need to adjust your stove’s air intake for optimal burning.
5. Start with Smaller Pieces: Begin with smaller splits of persimmon to help it catch fire more easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does persimmon compare to oak as firewood?

Persimmon and oak are both excellent hardwoods for firewood. Persimmon has a slightly higher BTU rating (24.9 million BTU/cord) compared to oak (24.6 million BTU/cord), meaning it produces marginally more heat. Both woods burn hot and create long-lasting coals. However, persimmon is generally harder to split and may take longer to season than oak. Oak is more widely available in most areas, which can make it a more practical choice for many people.

Can I burn persimmon wood in a pizza oven?

Yes, persimmon wood can be used in a pizza oven. Its high heat output and ability to create long-lasting coals make it suitable for maintaining the high temperatures needed for pizza cooking. However, because it can be challenging to ignite, it’s best to start your fire with lighter, more easily ignited woods, then add persimmon for sustained heat. Also, ensure the wood is well-seasoned to avoid excess smoke that could affect the flavor of your pizza.

How long does it take to season persimmon wood?

Due to its density, persimmon wood typically requires 1-2 years to season properly. This is longer than many other common firewoods. The exact time can vary depending on the climate, how the wood is stored, and the size of the splits. To ensure your persimmon is ready to burn, use a moisture meter to check that the moisture content has dropped to 20% or less. Proper seasoning is crucial for efficient burning and to minimize creosote buildup in your chimney or flue.