science+fair+log+book

I know that all wood burns however I want to know what wood is the best suited for fire woodand why. to identify what tiber is most suitable for fire wood taking into account supply factors,cost and burn time and seeing the most efficive fire wood. I think that heart rimu will burn the slowest because it is a hard wood and I think that macorapa will bun the fastest because it is a light wood.
 * Introduction:**
 * Aim:**
 * Hypothesis:**

1 blow torch wood metal brush timer
 * Equipment:**

1.I will cut each timber twice into about a 1x3 rectangles 2.one of the rectangles I will glue on to the board along with its spefication 3.I will burn each sample for 1 minute 4.then I will use a metal brush to get rid of the ash 5.i will then put the burnt one next to the non-burnt one on the board under its spefication
 * Methodology:**

my hypothesis was wrong because the oregen (douglas fir) burnt surprisingly fast and the heart rimu was also surprisingly not the slowest burning. Generally the native timbers burnt the slowest as I expected and would be ideal for fire wood if they weren't so slow growing and limited in supply. This limitation in supply makes them an extremely expensive option for fire wood. The faster growing and more readilly available timbers such as Pine, Douglas fir and Macrocarpa burn faster than the native timbers but their plentiful supply and modrate cost make them more well suited as fire wood. The imported timbers had varied burning qualites however due to supply restrictions it is impractile to use as fire wood unless they could be grown localy.
 * Conclusion:**

that is the question
 * to burn or not to burn?**

timber name: Rimu (Red pine) Scientific name: (Dacrydium cupressinum) characteristics: • native to New Zealand • hard and dense • belongs to the conifer family • can grow as tall as 150ft (45.72m) • wide spread in New Zealand forests from low lands to montane forests • not naturally regenerating • heavily milled in 20th century and now only available from private plantations • widely used for flooring and furniture • its life span is 700 to 800 years even 1,000 years

in our experiment conducted on 07 June 2010 we burnt a sample seen below which measured approximately 2cm x 3cm for 1:00 minute and the sample, while charring on the outer layer did not sustain deep burning damage __**conclusion**__: while the burning qualities were good and the wood is hard and will be slow burning the supply is limited, making it expensive and its native classification makes it unsuitable as a fire wood.

timber name: tawa scientific name: beilschmiedia tawa characteristics: • high density very strong • gets cut after 200 years • native to New Zealand • r equires shading from other species but also requires a degree of light • may grow up to 30m with trunks 1.2 metros thick • tawa maori name for tree • tawa produces large fruit red plum colour • tawa attracts kereru

__**conclusion :**__ strong dense timber scarce supply due to native classification. good burning characteristics but not good for fire wood due to shortage in supply

tree name: Radiata pine, Monterey pine, Pinus insignis scientific name:Pinus radiata characteristics: • very versatile and readily available • treatment reccomended • easily penetrated and processed • heart wood is light brown • sap wood is creamy white • good for furniture • pine contains wax • it does not start to form heart wood until it is fifteen __**conclusion:**__ very readily available,plantation grown burns hot but burns relatively fast, cheap compared to native timbers. Ideal for firewood as consistent burning and plentiful supply.

timber name: macrocapra scientific name: Cupressus macrocarpa characteristics: • evergreen family • usually forms irregularly • can grow up to 10-25 metres • macrocarpa has pollen in its leaves • soft wood • Country of Origin is United States of America • large amount of heart timber • it grows fast • it is good for benches and rafters __**conclusion:**__ good supply burns hot but has a tendency to spark, therefore not ideal for open fires because of sparks. Fairly cheap and ready supply so well suited to firewood.

timber name: kauri scientific name: Agathis australis characteristics: • 50 metres tall • 1000 years ago occupied north Island • they were going to get destroyed 1876 • smooth bark • very old • Moderately strong. • light honey colour • no branches until near the top • good for boat frames __**conclusion:**__ limited supply, native classification, its slow growth makes this timber very expensive,although it burns slowly and very hot not ideal for fire wood because of cost and supply factors.

timber name:matai scientific name: Prumnopitys taxifolia characteristics: • easy to work with • matai heart wood is a golden yellow when freshly cut • similar to rimu • Mature matai is one of the finest native species • excellent finishing grades • grows up to 20-25m • Most of the timber is heartwood __**conclusion:**__ more readily available than other native timbers however still relatively expensive. burns well and hot therefore best option for native timber if you are looking for a native source.

timber name: Cryptomeria scientific name: cupressus japonica characteristics: • native to japan • also called japanese cedar • extensively used in house building in Asia • grows up to 70 metres tall • light weight but strong • part of the conifer family __**conclusion:**__ imported variety burns fast not ideal for fire wood because of lack of heat as well as very quick burning. Imported so supply difficult and relatively expensive.

timber name: Baltic Pine scientific name: mixture abies and picea abies characteristics: • northern european origin • pale almost white coloring • strait grain fine texture •very restricted supply __**conclusion:**__ restricted supply limit usefulness for fire wood and burns fast reducing usefulness for both heat and value for money.

timber name: Jarrah scientific name: eucalyptus marginata characteristics: • native of western Australia • Aboriginal name jarrah • grows up to 40m tall and 3m wide • part of the eucalyptus family • ideal for closed fires as generates more heat than other woods • Used for musical instrument making • high resistance to rot • used for hot tubs and spa pools as well as decks • imported already processed so not ideal for firewood __**conclusion:**__ burns long and hot however imported already processed therefore supply a problem and relatively expensive. If supply could be grown locally would be ideal for firewood. Best for woodburners as it sparks when burning.

timber name:Western Red Cedar scientific name: thug plicate characteristics: • belongs to the cypress family • native to north western america and canada • grows up to 45m tall 7m wide • soft timber with high resistance decay • extensively used for decking ,shingles and cladding • introduced species to New Zealand and Austraila • light weight yet strong • popular choice for guitar sound boards __**conclusion:**__ very fast burning with a tendency to spark so not ideal for open fires fast burning characteristics makes this timber uneconomical for fire wood. Imported so costs prohibitive.

timber name: Oregon or douglas-fir scientific name: psudotsuga menziesii characteristics: • part of the conifer family • grows up to 120m high • extensively used in the construction industry • popular for christmas trees • very durible __**conclusion:**__ plentiful supply especially from construction industry off cuts makes this an economical timber. cost effective however burns quite quickly so better options available.

