Spruce and Pine: Yukon’s Trusted Trees for Firewood.
In the Yukon, spruce and pine trees are not only everywhere, but they’re essential for both the environment and practical uses like firewood, building materials, and more. While both trees are important, spruce is the go-to firewood choice for most Yukoners due to its availability and burn characteristics.
-Firewood Heat Output (BTUs):
Spruce and pine are both used for firewood in the Yukon, but spruce is the main choice due to its abundance. Heat output is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units).
-White Spruce: ~16 million BTUs per cord
-Black Spruce: ~15 million BTUs per cord
-Lodgepole Pine: ~16-17 million BTUs per cord
Spruce Firewood:
-Heat Output: Both white and black spruce provide moderate heat, making them a staple for Yukon firewood.
-Burning: Spruce burns nicely and gives off immediate heat. Though it doesn’t burn as long as hardwoods (the cards we’re dealt in the Yukon eh..) it is still an excellent choice and with white spruce being so plentiful, it’s the most common firewood choice for home heating in the Yukon.
-Best Use: Spruce is the backbone of Yukon firewood, ideal for getting fast warmth.
Pine Firewood:
-Heat Output: Lodgepole pine burns slightly hotter and longer than spruce, making it a good choice for those looking for extended heat.
-Burning: It provides steady flames and long-lasting heat. Pine requires proper seasoning to reduce creosote buildup, but it’s a solid option for longer burns.
-Best Use: Great for home heating, though less commonly used than spruce in the Yukon.
In Short:
-Spruce: The main firewood used in the Yukon. It burns fast and clean, making it perfect for quick, reliable heat.
-Lodgepole Pine: Burns hotter and longer, great for sustained heating when available.
In the Yukon, spruce is the go-to firewood for most homes due to its abundance and dependable burning properties. Pine is also a solid choice, but likely unavailable. Both offer sustainable and effective heating solutions when harvested responsibly and seasoned properly!
Tree-mendous Facts. Still curious about what keeps your wood stove crackling?
Spruce Trees (White Spruce and Black Spruce)..
-White Spruce (Picea glauca): This towering evergreen can grow up to 30 meters and is the most widespread tree in the Yukon. You’ll find it in various habitats, from river valleys to upland areas.
-Wood Use: White spruce is widely used for lumber, construction, and especially firewood. When seasoned correctly, it burns cleanly and provides reliable heat, making it the top choice for many Yukon households.
-Ecological Role: White spruce offers habitat for birds and small mammals while helping the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide.
-Black Spruce (Picea Mariana): Black spruce is smaller than white spruce but well-suited for the Yukon’s wet, cold areas.
-Wood Use: Though slightly less heat-efficient than white spruce, black spruce is still a solid firewood choice. It burns well when seasoned and provides a steady source of warmth, making it a popular alternative when white spruce isn't available.
-Ecological Role: Black spruce helps stabilize wetlands and provides essential wildlife habitat. It’s one of the first species to regrow after fire disturbances, playing a key role in forest recovery.
-Pine Trees (Lodgepole Pine)..
-Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta): Common in dry, well-drained areas of the Yukon, lodgepole pine can grow up to 25 meters tall. It’s especially known for its ability to thrive after wildfires, with cones that need heat to release their seeds.
-Wood Use: Lodgepole pine is used for construction, timber, and firewood. Its straight trunks are great for building, and its wood burns hot and steady when properly seasoned.
-Ecological Role: Lodgepole pine plays a crucial role in forest regeneration after fires, helping stabilize soil and providing habitat for wildlife.
