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powderhombre

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For those of you who make your own charcoal. I have read through the archived posts on making willow charcoal and the one thing never mentioned is, Does it matter if you use Summer Green, Winter dormant or Standing dead willow? Where I live there is a lot of standing dead willow and aspen. Thanks
 
I normally cut mine during summer in leaf, strip the bark , let it dry in the shed till winter or the next. Then cook it.
 
Swiss says they cut it in the spring when the sap is rising so they get the maximum amount of carbohydrates in it. It is the sugars and creosote that is what is giving the power.
 
I have never given it much thought, when I need charcoal, I just cook it. Never saw much difference in quality, because I believe charcoal is charcoal.
 
Cut in the spring when the sap has begun to rise which makes it easier to remove the bark, and you do not want charcoaled bark. I understand this is what the suppliers to the Swiss and French do and sell the bark to use the tannin.
 
For those of you who make your own charcoal. I have read through the archived posts on making willow charcoal and the one thing never mentioned is, Does it matter if you use Summer Green, Winter dormant or Standing dead willow? Where I live there is a lot of standing dead willow and aspen. Thanks
Its best if it has seasoned a bit ,couple month at least ...
 
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