Is it OK to burn storm-fall or dead trees from my own property?
In Swannanoa, the storm that damaged so many homes here also put a lot of hardwood on the ground — so yes, burning your own storm-fall makes good sense. Just check the fireplace first: in the older Grovemont masonry and in homes coming through repairs, a storm-stressed chimney should be inspected before it carries a full winter of fires.
Storm-stressed chimneys, then the wood
Flooding and high wind stress masonry, shift caps, and open cracks in liners, and a valley that took real damage has plenty of chimneys that quietly moved. A level inspection confirms the flue is sound before you burn — and the older Grovemont fireboxes from the 1940s through the 60s especially deserve that look. If you're rebuilding or renovating anyway, this is the moment to step up to a sealed EPA insert or a Regency wood unit like the Grandview that kept people warm through Helene; it captures far more heat than the old open box. Buncombe County permits it, and we meet the inspector.
Dry it despite the fog
The Swannanoa River valley pools cold, foggy, damp air that slows drying and rusts hardware, so wood here needs patience. Split the downed hardwood now, crib it up off the wet ground with the top covered and the sides open, and give green oak the full six to twelve months. A moisture meter reading under 20 percent is the proof — the valley's dampness will keep wood wetter, longer, than the outside appearance suggests.
Burn clean
Natural, untreated wood only — never painted, stained, or treated lumber. Keep softwood for kindling since it creosotes on a steady burn. And keep the annual sweep on the calendar, especially with the damp valley air working on the flue. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Swannanoa
We install and service fireplaces throughout Swannanoa and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.