how do i tell if my stove can safely burn a high BTU wood like Osage-orange or hedge?
it is a small solid steel stove that is lined with fire brick and has four dampers.  one in the stack one in each door and one about half way up the front of the stove above the doors.  i can lock down both door dampers but the one on the front will just close to a little crack.  a buddy says this is an "idle" for the stove.  it has a smoke box on top.  he has warned me that "hedge" burns hot and i need to be careful.  anyway i don't want to burn down the cabin.  the reason i want to use hedge wood it is that i can get a fire going in the evening with oak or hickory and if i don't get up about 2:00 AM it will be out by morning.  i am thinking that since i can't put more wood in the stove i may be able to put more BTUs in and burn slower.  i think i have some picks of the stove if they would be of help.  i tried elm and it will last thru the night but smells awful and is a real pain to split.
thanks!

Is the stove rated for coal? If not be careful with Osage Orange.

Quoted: Is the stove rated for coal? If not be careful with Osage Orange.

i don't know.
how do i tell?

i know it's August but help a brotha' out.

Quoted: i know it's August but help a brotha' out.

I would be very cautious brrning lots of Osage Orange.  It contains quite a bit more energy than seasoned White Oak and Hickory.

The key to burning wood is to manage the size of the fuel.  Smaller pieces have more surface area and will burn much hotter and faster.  Larger pieces will tend to have less thus burning cooler and slower.

Cooler and slower = longer for the most part, and faster and hotter may be desirabe in certain circumstances.

I would avoid using LOTS of smaller OO pieces since it WILL toast your stove.  Burn a couple at most, and use LARGER pieces.