Is it safe to burn pine needles in a fireplace?

Perhaps you've been told the same thing: don't burn pine in your fireplace or wood stove. The common explanation is that pine creates a dangerous soot buildup in the chimney, called creosote. While true, it's not entirely accurate. Pine does have a place in your wood stove or even your fireplace.

Keeping this in consideration, is it OK to burn pine in a fireplace?

Some believe that burning pine in fireplaces is safe as long as you routinely maintain your fireplace and watch your fire. Some say that the extra pine sap is like extra fuel for the fire. Those who burn pine wood suggest that a person who burns pine should have his chimney cleaned regularly.

Likewise, what kind of wood should not be burned in a fireplace? 11 Kinds of Wood Not to Burn in Your Fireplace

Green Wood or Unseasoned Wood. Wood that makes the best firewood for a fireplace is seasoned wood not green wood.
Non-Local Wood.
Christmas Trees.
Driftwood.
Poisonous wood.
Oleander.
Endangered Species.
Plywood, particle board, or chipboard.

Similarly one may ask, is it bad to burn pine needles?

The Best Way to Burn Pine Needles and Leaves. However, in certain areas small burn piles are permitted and in some areas burning pine needles and leaves is a necessary precaution for avoiding dangerous wildfires. Burning pine needles and leaves should be done safely and with proper planning.

Is it OK to burn pine wood outside?

The seasoned wood is relatively light and it also pops and crackles a lot (which is another good reason not to burn it indoors). If you don't have an outdoor wood furnace and you don't want to use the wood for kindling, pine can be a great firewood for bonfires or just the occasional camp fire.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What wood is toxic burning?

Yes, poison oak, ivy, sumac and the like are dangerous to burn as the smoke from these plants can contain urushiol, the irritant that causes reactions to contact with these plants. Additionally, Oleander and Mexican Elder trees are highly toxic, and the smoke is poisonous when inhaled.

What should you not burn in a fireplace?

Paper with colored print, such as wrapping paper, magazines, cereal boxes, and pizza boxes, may release noxious, corrosive, or carcinogenic gases when burned. Plywood, particle board, or chipboard. Manufactured wood products release toxic fumes and carcinogens when burned. Fire accelerants or fire starters.

How long does pine need to dry before burning?

6 to 12 months

How long does it take for logs to dry out?

In fact, expect most types of wood to take about one year per inch of thickness to dry out. If it's a two-inch log, that means you'll need to let it sit outdoors for two whole years before it's dry enough to efficiently burn. There are many other factors that affect the rate at which wood dries.

How do you dry firewood quickly?

If the wood is covered in snow or ice, check the floor after 15 to 30 minutes and mop up the melted snow. Turn the wood over or stand it on end. Start the fire using dry kindling and wood. Damp wood will dry out and burn once the fire is burning well.

Do pine cones explode in fire?

Jack pine cones do not explode when exposed to a flame; rather they bloom like a flower filmed in time-lapse photography. However, the architecture of a jack pine cone has evolved even further than that; the cone also has an ability to protect the seeds from the damaging heat of fire.

How long does it take to season firewood?

about six months

How can I tell if my chimney needs cleaning?

The following signs indicate a chimney in need of a cleaning:

Burned wood odors coming from the fireplace when it's not being used.
Fires that seem to burn poorly or that dump a bunch of smoke into the room.
A black damper. Since it sits right above the firebox, the damper is often the easiest thing to see and reach.

What happens when you burn pine needles?

"When roots, leaves and needles get burned, these chemicals can be released without modification into the atmosphere," Liskin said. "They can be translated as aerosol particles hundreds or thousands of miles. It is possible that there is an impact on humans, animals, and that they get into the groundwater."

What happens if you smoke pine needles?

if is just a while, then the effects are mild but continuity of smoking it will cause lung blockages, in the air packets in the lungs; because oxygen supply to the heart is interrupted, for other people who are more sensitive though it can be severe or lead to a untimely death.

What do you do with fallen pine needles?

8 Brilliant Uses for Fallen Pine Needles

CREATE FIRE STARTERS. Bundle a handful of dry needles with thread to use along with kindling wood and newspaper.
USE AS MULCH.
MAKE A DISINFECTANT.
FLAVOR VINEGAR.
BREW A FOOTBATH.
COOK WITH THEM.
FRESHEN UP A ROOM.
FILL OUTDOOR PILLOWS.

Should you rake up pine needles?

Growing a healthy lawn where pine needles fall can be difficult if you don't improve the growing conditions. Pruning back tree limbs will allow more light to reach the grass. Don't let a thick layer of pine needles build up. Rake up needles regularly to allow more sunlight, air, and water to reach the grass.

Is Pine toxic to humans?

Not all pine varieties are edible, however; the ponderosa pine and several others varieties of pine trees can cause illness and death in cattle and other animals. One evergreen conifer, the yew, contains a toxic substance that is potentially fatal if ingested by humans.

Is pine smoke toxic?

Pine is a normal fireplace, camping and cooking wood with no toxic oils (as in poison Ivy), so since you enjoyed the aroma, it must have been something other than the pine smoke that made you feel ill.

Why do pine needles burn so fast?

During this period of time the moisture levels in the trees are low, increasing their flammability until their leaves emerge. Why do trees with needles burn so fast? Coniferous trees have a large amount of sap in their branches. This sap burns very quickly, and supports fast-moving wildfires.

What do you do with pine trees after you cut them down?

Or just advertise and sell or give away to those that might want it. You can have it cut into fire wood. Stack it and let it dry. You could ask whoever is cutting down tree to cut wood circles from the trunk, thick branches and smaller branches, let them dry out and use for crafts, painting on, what have you.

How do you break down pine needles?

It takes about two months of hot composting to break down the pine needles. In the first few weeks the greens will break down, but the pine straw will remain intact. Since the pine needles still have plenty of carbon, adding more greens will keep the pile hot without making it anaerobic.