How do I know if my tree is good for firewood?

The best-known firewoods are white and red oak trees. The wood from these oak trees is prized for its strength and density, and that density makes it one of the best at producing heat.

Can you use any tree for firewood?

Yes, But You Should Consider the Species

Generally speaking, hardwood species offer better firewood than softwood species. Hardwood trees are denser and contain less resin/sap than softwoods, meaning they burn hotter and last longer. Examples of common hardwoods include beech, hickory, cherry, ash, maple and oak.

What trees should not be used for firewood?

Evergreen trees are softwoods, so avoid buying firewood that comes from pines, firs or cypress trees. Freshly cut or unseasoned wood. Wood that has just been cut from the tree is still loaded with natural moisture. This makes the wood more difficult to burn.

What kind of trees make good firewood?

However, there are some trees that are known for producing better-quality firewood than others. The best-known trees for firewood are red and white oak trees. Wood from oak trees is costly due to its density and strength.

How long should wood dry before burning?

It can take 3-12 months or longer to season firewood. On average, it usually takes around 6-months to dry out the cut-firewood that you purchased from a store or supplier. Depending on the original timber's moisture content, it can take more or less time to season.

How to identify good firewood

What is the hardest wood to split?

How can you tell if firewood is bad?

Can you burn fresh cut wood?

No matter which way you cut it (or split it with your trusty log splitter), fresh wood just doesn't burn right. Fresh-cut wood has a high moisture content, which makes it hard to get burning. It also gives off more smoke.

Can you burn dry rotted wood?

Can You Burn Rotten Firewood? You can - but it's not recommended. Rotten wood is not only less dense than solid wood, meaning it won't produce as much heat, but it can produce creosote and gum up your chimney because rotten wood is typically wet.

Are old dead trees good for firewood?

If you want to cut firewood this fall you basically have two options. You can cut the wood, stack it and save it for next year or you can cut dead standing or dead blown down trees. Since dead trees have a low moisture content already, you can burn them almost immediately (depending on how long they have been dead).

How long after a tree falls can you burn it?

Leave the wood to dry out for at least nine months. Hardwoods like oak will burn better if seasoned for more than a year. The best wood is typically seasoned for two to three years, but it will start to deteriorate after four to five years.

Is a dead pine tree good for firewood?

The tree may be a pine or other softwood, which does not make great firewood (hence why I'm using ours just for campfire wood.) It could be infested with insects or rotted inside. Maybe the tree has been felled for so long it is already rotting, in which case it's best to let it be.

Is a dead tree considered seasoned?

Since your trees are already dead, the curing process will have already started, and the wood should be dry enough to burn in a shorter time period. Hardwoods like oak will burn better if seasoned for more than a year.

How can you tell if wood is seasoned?

Seasoned wood will be darker in color than green wood, and may be cracking at the ends. Seasoned wood can also lighter in weight and the bark can be peeled off more easily than unseasoned wood. A moisture meter will be able to provide an accurate reading of whether firewood is fully seasoned or not.

What is the fastest way to cure firewood?

Leave the wood uncovered so the wind and sun can dry it more quickly. If it is raining or snowing, cover the top of the stack with a tarp, plastic sheeting or tar paper to keep rain and snow from touching the wood and dew from condensing on it.

How long does it take to dry out a tree branch?

Freshly cut branches can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to completely dry out.

Why does some wood not burn well?

Firewood that's wet, decomposing, or moldy will never burn as well as firewood for sale (or at all). It makes sense when you think about it… Water cools things down and reduces heat. There's a reason firefighters use it to put out fires!

Is it OK to burn moldy firewood?

Mold spores are a completely natural part of our environment, and actually pose an important purpose of breaking down dead organic matter found in forests – so some mold is actually good! But, if your firewood is rotting and there is visible mold and mildew on the log, it's best not to burn it.

Why is my firewood hissing?

Hiss sounds from burning firewood is a sign that the wood is too high in moisture or sap content. Unseasoned firewood that is still too wet to burn efficiently can make hissing noises as the excess moisture within the wood is burnt off.

Should you split wood wet or dry?

Dry Wood Is Typically Easier to Split

Normally, though, you'll find that dry, seasoned wood is easier to split than wet wood. Regardless of the tree species from which it was harvested, dry wood contains less moisture, so there's less resistance when cutting and splitting it.

What wood will not split?

Red or Soft Maple both burn at a medium heat level. These woods are easy to burn but not split and do not smoke or spark excessively. Cherry or Black Cherry also burn at medium heat level, though do not burn quite as well as the other hardwoods.

Is firewood easier to split green or seasoned?

Does green wood cut harder or easier than seasoned wood? Green firewood is for the most part easier to split than dry, so try to split the wood as soon as possible after felling trees. And splitting the green wood speeds the process of “seasoning” (drying out) the firewood, which ensures more efficient burning.

Should you cover firewood with a tarp?

The easiest way to cover your firewood is to use a tarp. After you've stacked the wood, place the tarp on the top of the stack. Cover only the top and let an inch or two hang down. Do not cover the sides of the stack, since you'll need airflow to dry the wood out.