COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 12, 2015

QUESTION NO.1

QUESTION: Councillor M. Devine

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the gifting of logs - from removed trees - to elderly within the County?

REPLY:

This request is currently under examination, there are a couple of issues to consider when dealing with freshly cut trees.

Firstly there is a high moisture content in freshly cut wood which has a typical moisture content (varies with species) of between 35 and 65% by weight. While wet wood can be burnt, much of the heat value is lost because of greater amount of energy required to burn off the water content. Fresh cut timber requires seasoning for at least 6 months before it is ready for burning. Typically wet wood has half the energy value (heat) of the same timber which has been seasoned or kiln dried.

For wood burning stoves, many manufacturers recommend that only wood with moisture content of 20% be used. To achieve this, the wood has to be either kiln dried or seasoned for up to two years. The timber needs to be stored dry for this to happen.

Second issue is that fresh timber is more difficult to burn and as a consequence releases tar oils and smoke, both of which are hazards. The oils coat the fireplace and chimney / flue and if not removed on a regular basis, the accumulated tar in the chimney leads to an increased risk of chimney fires. An open fire is very inefficient (typically less than 25% efficiency) as most of the heat generated escapes up the chimney. Warm air in the room is also drawn up the chimney which in turn leads to fresh cold air being drawn into the room through vents and drafts.

However, if an agency such as ALONE wished to take logs from us, store and dry them and then supply them to people on their list, we could consider such a proposal.