Question about wood

[chalon page]

I live out in the country and we have apple, wild cherry trees, and hickory. My question is what is the best parts to cut for chunks. Has anyone ever used wild cherry if so is it useable? I figure I might as well use it because it doesnt cost me anything. Ive had my wsm now for a couple months now and I bought my chunks from the store and thought id cut my own. I have to say this this is addicting. Im using it everyweekend. Im glad I done my research on this one.

 

[Bill Spearman]

I like pieces about 2 inches in diameter split, then cut about 2 -3 inches long.

 

[Joe Lanier]

Ive cut some of my own wood, I just cut a limb in 2-3 inch pieces, no need to split, just cut some 2" diameter pieces. Some may disagree, but I havent been able to tell a difference. I have used oak though, so there isnt much bark, may be different if you are one who thinks that the bark makes for bad smoke.

 

[George Curtis]

wild cherry is a good one, mild smoke. far as i've read, any part is ok.

 

[Paul K]

Welcome Chalon,

You're fortunate; all three woods are excellent for smoking. As the others have said, any piece that will yield a chunk of 2" or more will work fine. You can buy wood, but your selection is excellent!

Paul

 

[Jerry N.]

I like the trunk because you get less bark compared to wood. I'm not someone who will cut off the bark, but if I can get less of it, I will.

 

[Bill S.]

I like cherry the best. I don't like a strong smoke flavor. I just go with 2 baseball size chunks. Running low too, I have to find somewhere to get more....eeesh. I hate paying for it.

 

[Vince]

I use wild cherry a bunch. I've used both the branches and chunks from the trunk and I can't taste any difference. I have an entire cherry cut up and stacked outside next to my garage on some pea gravel. Termites & other bugs love it! If you store any you might want to try to put in a plastic storage tub or something similar so it does go to waste like a bunch of mine did. I've only had it out there for a year and most of the trunk sections have termites in it. Even the logs stacked on top of other logs. I also throw wild cherry chunks on top of my charcoal when I grill chickens. It tastes great.

 

[Tim Johnson]

All three of em will smoke the heck out of anything! Thiei all great smoke woods... add a little oak and you've got just about all the bases covered imho. As far as what part of the tree that will work, I've used all of the parts from the top to the trunk, but if I had my choice of any of the parts I would use what others have mentioned, that would be pieces that are about 3-5" in dia. cut into 3-4' long then split.