The quest for the perfect firewood can transform an ordinary evening into a memorable experience of warmth and comfort. Whether managing fires as a seasoned expert or just beginning to explore the art of building them, each wood type offers unique qualities that suit various needs.
From oak’s legendary heat output to cherry’s enchanting aroma, each variety brings something special to the hearth.
As winter approaches and the time comes to light up the fireplace, understanding which woods perform best and why certain varieties excel over others becomes essential knowledge.
1. Oak: The King of Firewood
Oak’s reputation as the king of firewood is well-earned, thanks to its exceptional density and superior burning qualities.
The wood produces intense, long-lasting heat, making it perfect for overnight burns in your wood stove.
While it’s pricier than other options, typically costing $400-500 per cord, oak’s impressive 24-hour burn time and consistent heat output make it worth the investment.
2. Maple: The Steady Performer
While oak might reign supreme, maple stands as a reliable alternative that won’t disappoint.
The wood provides steady, consistent heat that’s perfect for keeping your home warm throughout winter. Maple splits easily, produces minimal smoke, and burns longer than many other hardwoods.
At a price point slightly below oak, maple delivers exceptional value through its reliable performance and abundant availability.
In the Northeast (including states like Maine and Vermont), maple cord prices may range from $300 to $600. Midwest states might see lower prices, ranging from $120 to $400.
3. Ash: The Quick Starter
When you need a fire going quickly, ash firewood proves essential with its exceptional ignition properties.
Its low moisture content, even when freshly cut, makes it a reliable choice for immediate heat.
Ash burns cleanly with minimal smoke, producing heat output that’s comparable to maple but slightly less than oak.
It’s moderately priced at $275 – $400 per cord and widely available in most regions.
4. Birch: Nature’s Fire Starter
Speaking of quick-starting fires, birch stands out as nature’s ultimate fire starter thanks to its extraordinary bark.
The paper-thin, oil-rich outer layer peels easily and ignites instantly, even when wet. You’ll find birch’s inner wood burns hot and bright, though not as long as oak or maple.
For best results, store your birch in a covered area, as its bark can deteriorate if left exposed.
You can usually find Birch available for $250 – $400 per cord.
5. Cherry: The Aromatic Choice
Known for its charming fragrance, cherry wood alters any indoor fire into a sensory experience.
Cherry firewood produces moderate heat while releasing a sweet, pleasant aroma that’s perfect for intimate gatherings.
While it won’t match oak’s heat output, cherry wood’s moderate price point ($420 – $480 per cord) and availability make it an excellent choice for your fireplace or outdoor fire pit, especially when you’re entertaining guests.
6. Hickory: The Heat Powerhouse
A true heavyweight champion among firewood options, hickory stands out for its exceptional heat output and density.
You’ll find that hickory produces up to 28.6 million BTUs per cord, making it ideal for your wood stove or fireplace during the coldest months.
While it’s typically pricier than oak or maple ($420 – $1,260 per cord), its long-lasting burn time and intense heat make it worth the investment.
7. Pine: The Softwood Star
Like a flash of light in your fireplace, pine ignites quickly and produces tall, dancing flames that create an instant cozy atmosphere.
Pine’s high resin content makes it perfect for starting fires and outdoor use, though you’ll want to use it cautiously indoors since it can create creosote buildup in your chimney.
While it burns much quicker than hardwoods, it is also quite a bit cheaper at $250 – $360 per cord.
For best results, use pine as kindling or mix it with hardwoods.
8. Cedar: The Fragrant Flame
When you’re seeking both warmth and aromatherapy from your fire, cedar stands out as an exceptional choice with its distinctive sweet and spicy fragrance.
Cedar burns quickly and produces moderate heat, making it perfect for autumn evenings and outdoor gatherings.
Its natural oils also help repel insects, which is particularly beneficial for backyard fire pits and camping trips.
Cedar can usually be purchased for $150 to $300 per cord.
9. Manufactured Wood Briquettes: The Modern Alternative
Modern homeowners seeking an efficient alternative to traditional firewood have adopted manufactured wood bricks as a clean-burning solution.
These compressed bricks, made from sawdust and wood waste, deliver up to 50% more heat per pound than natural wood.
Wood briquettes are easy to store, produce less ash, and create consistent heat output, making them ideal for both wood stoves and fireplaces.
A pallet of wood bricks (approximately 1 ton) costs around $325-$350
10. Wood Pellets: The Efficient Option
Wood pellets represent the next step in heating technology‘s evolution, offering even greater efficiency than manufactured bricks.
These compressed sawdust cylinders work exclusively in specialized pellet stoves, where they’re automatically fed into the burning chamber.
Pellet heating systems provide consistent warmth while producing minimal ash, and their automated operation means you won’t need to constantly tend the fire.
Wood pellets typically cost between $300 to $400 per ton in the USA, with individual 40-pound bags priced at $6 to $10 each.
Types of Firewood To Avoid
A common misconception is that you can burn any old thing, but that’s not the case. Whether you’re preparing to use a campfire, a cast-iron stove, or even a stone hearth, there are a few woods you should never burn.
Non-local wood
If you find wood that has been cut and stored more than a few miles away, ditch it. Using firewood that has traveled too far is the number one way to introduce invasive insects or diseases to a new environment. Even one infected log can put an entire forest at risk.
Green wood
Freshly cut wood has a high sap and moisture content and can be hard to light. Once it gets burning it will smoke horribly and burn inefficiently. Ask your seller when the wood was cut if you’re unsure if it’s green.
Treated or painted wood
Older treated woods were often preserved with arsenic, when you burn this wood you are releasing arsenic into the air. You can purchase a simple test that can help you avoid burning inorganic arsenic. Additionally, painted woods release chemicals when burnt.
Driftwood
Due to its salt content the chlorine can transform into carcinogens, which you don’t want to expose yourself to. Although the salt may produce pretty flames, it’s best to keep this out of your fire.
Big wood
Logs more than 5 inches in diameter must be recut before use. Throwing large logs onto a fire is a waste of time, be sure to split your logs for maximum efficiency. A great tool to help you get the job done is a
Identifying what you need from your fire and the available species in your area are essential steps for choosing the best firewood for you. The next time you are shopping around, keep this guide in mind!
Common Firewood Terms (Jargon)
To ensure you aren’t lost when shopping around for firewood, there are three important terms to recognize:
- Cord: Unit of measurement. When purchasing firewood, you purchase it by the cord. A cord is 8′ long x 4′ high x 4′ deep.
- Seasoned: Dry wood.
- Green: Unseasoned wood that is still full of moisture.
We recently purchased firewood locally, and received some wood that looked like cedar. The seller said it was “Hard Hat.” We use our wood for a indoor woodstove, and definitely want hardwood. We have never heard of Hard Hat. Does anyone know what he could be referring to?? Thanks.
Ive never heard of “hard hat” firewood.
What category is Walnut
Walnut is a hardwood.
Great info! I definitely learned a lot! I would put the jargon at the beginning but besides that, everything was well explained. Thanks again!
Terrific stuff and I thought I knew a lot I don’t but I do now
Is wattle firewood a suitable firewood for dovre fireplace unit?
Yes it is, you just want to make sure its seasoned properly.
I need to know, is it ok to burn in the large open fire place seasoned local red gum branches?
Yes! Red gum is a great firewood and can certainly be used in an open fire.
need more types of firewood!
We started off with a simple list, but I will look into expanding it!
Why not burn big logs in wood heater….like 8 inches. We get a hot fire going and then put big log on and it last 5 or 6 hours. I hope we are not doing wrong…
What are your thoughts about sweetgum?
Well firstly…good luck splitting it! It can be done, but it is a pain in the backside. You probably want a hydraulic splitter to do it… and then it burns very quickly. It also doesn’t store that great, tends to rot easily from what I have found.
Great information to know! Thanks for sharing with others.
Is lilac wood worth burning in a stove?
Depends what you mean by “worth burning”. If you have it lieing around because you have a lilac bush then yes it is worth burning. Although it does have to be seasoned for at least a couple of months. I wouldnt go chasing it as firewood though.