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Prunus firewood smells nice when burned, and the smoke can be used to flavour food (it adds a cherry-like flavour).

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I'm curious if it would be feasible to grow prunus plants specifically for using the wood as aromatic firewood.

What is the fastest growing prunus plant that is hardy to USDA zone 5?

User1974
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  • I'm east of Toronto. – User1974 Dec 02 '18 at 20:39
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    Note that, Included in in the genus Prunus is Prunus laurocerasus and its cultivars, and they are fast growing - it is not recommended that this plant is burned, especially not in a closed space, and it should not be used to smoke foods because it can produce toxic smoke. – Bamboo Dec 03 '18 at 15:42
  • @Bamboo : Oh. I had no idea. Good to know. – User1974 Dec 03 '18 at 15:44
  • @Bamboo That is good to know!!!! Good work. – Rob Dec 04 '18 at 21:56
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    I don't know about the fastest, but the biggest ones we've grown were apricots. I imagine they were the fastest we've grown, too, but I can't say. Peaches are fairly fast. – Brōtsyorfuzthrāx Dec 07 '18 at 23:15

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Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is the best one where I am, because it's relatively fast growing (splittable wood every 12/18 years in decent conditions, and can be coppiced. The favorable smoke fragrance is very good with this species.

It is hardy in zone 5.

J. Musser
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