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Is Mimosa Tree Good For Firewood?

Is Mimosa Tree Good For Firewood

The earth provides a bevy of materials we can use to burn fires in our backyards, fireplaces or campfires.  So, it’s important to understand which ones are best and safest for burning.  This not only provides a wonderful, calming experience but also a memorable moment with friends and loved ones. 

Also called a Silk Tree, the Mimosa Tree is a popular ornamental that colors the landscape of homes and wild spaces across the west and south of the United States.  Originally from Asia, it has a very prolific reproduction rate and has become something of an invasive species in recent years.

The bark and wood is perfect for use in woodcrafts because of its beautiful appearance and workability.  But is a Mimosa Tree good for firewood?  Yes, there are many characteristics that make it very desirable for your fireplace or next campfire.  But there are some cautions and warnings to take into consideration.

Identifying Mimosa

The first step anyone should take before burning any kind of wood is to identify its exact species.  It will indicate the wood’s heat output and whether it’s good for burning or not.  Mimosa trees are no exception.

Flowers ; Foliage

The flowers appear as bright, tight pink clusters with pink to yellow stamens.  They are striking against the deep green foliage and bark of the tree that beckon the activity of hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. 

The stamens look like silk threads amid frond-like leaves that are comparable to ferns or palm trees.  The leaves resemble that of a Locust.

Growth ; Reproduction

They grow quick in warmer climates and are amazingly adaptable, spreading to a variety of habitats.  When the strong-scented flowers die off for the season, they leave behind seedpods that can be very toxic to animals with some reports of them being hallucinogenic to humans.  The seedpods almost look like sugar peas.

Wood Grain ; Color

The wood is light in color with a dark, distinct grain and an exotic look.  The heartwood color can vary between a deep gold or reddish brown to a light brown in which the sapwood is pale yellow.  These colors darken with age and seasoning.

The grain has contrasting colors which are beautiful to look at and this is why it’s often used in woodworking and crafts.  The wood has a wonderful luster with a somewhat uneven texture that’s coarse.

Pests ; Diseases

Because they are prone to disease, they live short lives.  But, because Mimosa Trees are high in tannins, they are very resistant to rot, fungus and water damage.  This is a trait that makes them ideal for use as firewood.

Mimosa Trees for Firewood

Mimosa seasons in about six months, but it’s advisable to allow as long as nine months to be secure.  And even though there are some warnings and cautions that come with it, it’s worth burning and many experienced fire keepers swear by its use.

In scientific terms, Mimosa Trees are hardwoods but they resemble Pine in regards to their density and hardness.  But it doesn’t have a Pine tree’s sap and pitch which makes it much easier to split and season. 

It burns more like Oak or Hickory but at a much faster rate.  It doesn’t have as many BTUs (British Thermal Units) as Oak but it burns much hotter than Pine. They leave a reasonable amount of coals too once the fire dies down.  It has little to no odor at all when burned but some people report an intermittent, subtle odor that’s difficult to describe.

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Cautions

But, take care when you burn it as it some people do report that it can cause lung ailments and irritations; coughing and aggravated allergies.  This is most often the case for young children.

If you or someone around your campfire is allergic to tannins, don’t burn this wood.  This kind of intolerance is best gauged by an allergy to aspirin.  Aspirin derives from Willow which has acetaminophen, a compound composed of similar tannins to Mimosa.

Collecting Mimosa Firewood

If you’re in the wilderness camping or hiking, you should take a few precautions before putting Mimosa into your fire.  Likewise, if it’s on your property, you want to be careful about its propagation because once it gets established, it’s nearly impossible to remove.

Campfire Use

For campfires, collect dry brush and fallen branches from the forest floor.  Don’t burn green wood as it can pop, crack and explode.  Plus, the concentration of tannins is higher in the fresh wood than it is drier, so this will help avoid any lung issues.

Mimosa Trees in Your Yard

In the case of property owners, you must exercise caution if you are looking to keep the population down.  For serious invasions, contact a qualified tree removal expert.  But, if it’s not out of control, make sure you don’t drag leaves and seedpods across your yard to ensure it doesn’t start invading other areas.

In Any Situation

Remove all foliage, flowers and seeds from whatever you cut or find to prevent it from establishing in places you don’t intend.  You can discard the refuse or drop it near the tree where you found the wood.  Do not drop it anywhere and don’t drag it.  Cut it on site.

Final Thoughts

Aside from a few toxicity concerns, Mimosa Trees are worth splitting and seasoning.  They burn great, have a nice odor and leave a good, long-lasting heat that’s useful in wood stoves and during the winter months. 

When camping or hiking, the wood will leave behind burning coals.  These are good for some cooking and can keep everyone within the camp site toasty warm.  But it does burn faster than other hardwoods like Oak or Hickory.

You do want to be smart and exercise caution when collecting Mimosa because of the speed with which it propagates itself can cause problems for yards and forests later on.  Plus, burning it could be disastrous for those susceptible to respiratory infections, like young children. 

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