The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: polly on November 06, 2009, 10:48:53 am
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Hi, I'm Polly, anyone thought about eucalyptus for firewood? It can be planted on a five year rotation, seasons quickly, burns like oak. Coppices well.
So much to learn, there are 700 varieties! Anyone interested ??? :)
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You may be on to something. We have two by the back gate , and they must grow 6 foot a year even when cut back to a stump. I am 650 feet above sea level, but the trees are sheleterd a bit from the prevailing wind.
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Does it burn green or does it have to be seasoned. it sounds interesting but i think i'd feel guilty not sticking to native spiecies.
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We found it grew well too, I use it around the house for the smell and for flower arrangements and the leaves make a rustle when the wind blows. I want to plant some again so hope to soon!!!!! Look forward to the smelly fires...aren't they suppose to be calming??
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Here's species for growing in the UK - http://www.jungleseeds.com/SeedShop/Eucalyptus.htm
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be very carsefull with eucalyptus on fires, as fire fumes are halunagenics (sorry spelling)
Linz
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I didn't know eucalyptus is hallucinogenic when burned. Well spotted, Linz!
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learnt by my mistake , lol
but not very bad.
It's one of them things that the 'wize old women' used in the olden days
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(http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Cool/cool09.gif)Sounds even nicer...Koalas like it ::) ::)..........I did know that but I don't think the effects are bad unless you inhale, after all, in many countries they burn "stuff" to calm the animals as they all gather around the fire(http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Animals/ape-1301.gif)(http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Animals/yeti-002.gif)
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All I know from experience with bush fires in Australia is that eucalyptus trees have a tendency to explode as the eucalyptus oil overheats and explodes and that is why the fires spread so quickly. Don't know if it is the same with cut wood. Hope this is a help. (PS Born over there, love it over here)
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I think it needs drying well so the sap dries up. My eldest is on the edge of the Blue mountains in Austrailia...I would love to go into a Eucalyptus forest and experience that smell ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
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be very carsefull with eucalyptus on fires, as fire fumes are halunagenics (sorry spelling)
Linz
That is why the Koalas don't move very quickly - they are stoned. They eat and drink nothing else. What a way to live.
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Thats our Christmas present for each other sorted...
ThreeFour Eucalyptus Trees(http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Cool/cool09.gif)
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My aunty and uncle went to San Francisco an age ago, all the way from Australia. Went to the great Golden Gate Bridge and what did they see - eucalyptus trees. Apparently they planted them to soak up all the excess water. Last thing they expected.
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Interesting is that we used the Koala-droppings to add scent to the fires in the stoves in Aus (I moved to the UK about three months ago!). If you look all along the oldest railway lines in most of Europe, especially the South and along the Med., you will find Eucalypts of one sort or another planted all along them: for the firewood! :)