How 'clean' does smoking wood need to be?

Matt_inSC

I have some fruit tree wood I want to use for smoking. I collected some branches to cut into chunks but am curious about the bark and lichen (very dry - not moist like moss) growing on the wood? Do I need to try to remove that or will it be OK on the egg as is?

Firetruck

The bark should be ok but I'd scrape anything else off. Ya just never know.

JLOCKHART29

My presimmon wood I cut straight off the main trees and is covered with the lichen. If it hurts anything I never have been able to tell after 1000's of cooks with it and never had a complante from my "guest"!

Little Chef

Matt...I have 'heard' that some barks can cause bitterness...but couldn't begin to tell you which ones... Perhaps try it as it is, and if you find bitterness, strip the bark and parasites for the following cook and see if it makes a difference. Might want to be conservative with an inexpensive cook like chicken while making up your mind....but this is what makes Egging fun IMO. Very cool to have wood right from the yard.... Have FUN!

Mr. & Mrs Potatohead

I use apple, oak & cherry smoke-wood with bark on.
As for lichen and such: I don’t have any on the apple, but do have a very small amount on my oak and cherry….I don’t think it has caused any off tastes.