The fig tree is quite a challenging tree to maintain. Unlike other hardwood, the fig tree is more of a large bush. If it grows too big, it needs to be pruned and trimmed. But after some pruning and cutting, there will be tons of small branches, twigs, and a mountain of leaves. If pruning is already a pain in the neck, the experience is nothing compared to the cleanup.
The fig leaves should be discarded immediately due to the tendency to irritate the skin. Its sap contains Furocoumarins, which can cause irritability when touched. But what would you do with the small branches and twigs from the pruning? Is it good firewood to use on cooking or campfire? As a hardwood, can you season fig wood and use it as firewood?
Some people warn against burning fig tree wood for firewood or campfire. Due to its sappy branches and leaves, most people tend to discard them. However, burning the fig wood is fine as long as the leaves are removed and the wood is properly seasoned. In fact, some experienced cooks use fig wood in the smoker to add a bit of sweet aroma to the food.
What Is Fig Tree?
Also known as Common Fig, the Fig tree is a kind of hardwood fruit tree that grows in a temperate climate. The fruit is edible and is known for its anti-constipation benefits. If you want to taste the fruit, make sure that you’re not allergic to it. May people experienced allergic reactions from eating the fruit.
Fig trees usually grow in locations that are sunny and have fresh soil. When fully grown, the fig tree can appear as a big bush or a tiny tree. It can reach the height of 3 feet to 39 feet when the condition is perfect. When the leaf stem ruptures, it exudes a white sap that can irritate some people’s skin. The irritation goes away after a few days.
In California, the fruit is grown and harvested on different farms. The fig tree is not great at surviving in cold temperatures; that’s why California’s sunny weather is great to cultivate the trees. Fig fruits are then harvested and sold to the market.
Other people will try to cultivate fig trees in their backyards. Although the fig tree is quite dwarf compared to other hardwood, its branches’ coverage gives a natural shade. And due to the growth of fig leaves, most homeowners prune their fig tree, which causes the problem mentioned above: what can you do with fig wood and branches?
How Does Fig Wood Burn?
As a fruit tree, a fig tree is considered hardwood. Hardwood such as oak and hickory are favored for firewood usage due to the denser wood composition. With thicker wood, hardwoods typically burn slowly and can retain heat for an extended period. It’s the reason why these woods are great for camping and fuel.
However, this is not the case for fig wood. It’s a tree that grows thinner and more “twiggy” branches compared to other fruit trees. Basically, you cannot chop it, stack it, and season it the same way as oak or hickory. Instead, once you remove the leaves, you can cut the wood and store it easily.
Due to its lesser density, fig wood burns hot and fast. In fact, you can’t retain heat without dumping your whole inventory at a campfire. And because of the white latex that retains in the stem, you need to season the wood for a longer period before it completely dries out.
Burning an unseasoned tree is not a great idea, especially for a sappy one like the fig tree. The sap in a fig tree can affect some people and create rashes or itchiness. Once seasoned properly, you can use fig wood as kindling or firewood.
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What Does Fig Wood Smell While Burning?
Fig wood is arguably one of the most aromatic woods for smoking. Just a bit of it is enough to add a great smell to the air. According to New York Times, chefs worldwide like the smell of fig wood due to its distinctly sweet and floral aroma.
In some cases, the wood can also add a bit of spice and cinnamon smell to the meat. This type of wood had been gaining some attraction since the early 2000s. But before you use it to impress, try the wood first on simple or mild dishes, such as roasted chicken. For cooking, getting the fig wood from your local wood supplier is a better option.
Some application of fig wood in cooking includes adding a layer of scent on pizza. Some chefs like Chris Beischer roasts lobsters by using fig trees. The added aroma works well on meats and seafood products. Just make sure that before using fig wood for food, the sap is completely dried, and there should be no leaves attached to the firewood.
Can You Use Fig Wood For Camping?
Once seasoned, there should be no problem in using fig wood as firewood. You can use it for camping, alongside other wood that burns slower and radiates heat more effectively. And due to its pleasant aroma, it can also improve your food-toasting session.
Don’t forget to season your firewood before burning. Unseasoned firewood creates a lot of smoke and cracking sounds when burning. Seasoning most firewood is usually complete after six months, but the best option is about 12 months for fig wood. This is to ensure that no leftover white latex remains in the wood.
Is Fig Wood A Good Choice For Campfire?
As mentioned before, you can use fig wood as an addition to your campfire. Due to its fast burn and high heat output, it’s best if you use it as kindling. Add a few pieces of sticks if you want to make the air smell nice, or if you’re toasting some marshmallows.
However, even if you can use it as a campfire, it doesn’t mean that it’s a “good” campfire. With smaller wood pieces, you might need to dump in a few more every few minutes to keep the fire burning. Hence, it’s better to use this type of wood as kindling.
It will also depend on the availability of firewood in your area. You can use it if there’s no other firewood in the immediate surroundings. But if there’s a better campfire wood, consider using it instead of fig wood, since it might be difficult to determine if a random fig wood is completely seasoned.
Final Thoughts
Good campfire wood is something that burns slow and steadily and can last for a long time. It should also produce a steady amount of heat, and should not go out over small breezes of air.
If you’re going camping, there’s a great chance that you and your team will find wood branches lying around. You can gather the fallen tree branches and dried-out wood for building your campfire.
Avoid stripping live trees, as well as picking rotten wood. If you’re not experienced in gathering wood, better shop at the local wood market near your campsite.