In ovens, fireplaces, fire pits, and grills, wood is a natural source of heat that many of us enjoy. Whether burning firewood for fuel or for enjoyment (or both), the type of wood you choose makes a difference! The heat put off, the length of the burn, and even the scent are all variables when it comes to firewood needs and preferences. However, no matter the species or use, good preparation and storage are essential for a happy fire at home.

What Tree Makes the Best Firewood?

The best firewood for your needs will depend on the use. Factors to consider when choosing a type of firewood include:

• Heat released

• Length of burn

• Brightness

• Scent

When burning wood for fuel, the amount of heat put off (measured in BTUs, British thermal units) is the main consideration, as is the length of time it will burn. Different tree species have different wood densities, and this relates to the energy put out. Good trees for firewood have the densest wood, which holds the most energy and burns the most efficiently (longest and hottest).

We asked one of our resident arborists, Nashville Tree Conservation Corps board member and board-certified master arborist Michael Davie, to share his thoughts on the best trees for firewood: “The best firewood around here is, in my opinion, black locust, though it’s not super common. It burns hot, long, and leaves little ash. Most oak is good; hickory and Osage orange are very good for BTUs but are a bit sparky. Hackberry is decent; it just has to be kept dry even more than other woods. Trees like cottonwood, tulip, and silver maple are not that great and leave more ash. Pretty much any wood could be burned, but some are just not very good for fuel and maybe are better in a fire pit.”

When burning wood for enjoyment, the brightness, length of burn, and scent may be more important than the degree of heat the wood puts out. In this case, other species to consider include softwoods like cedar, juniper, and Douglas fir, all of which have a distinct scent. Softwoods should be burned with awareness, in moderation, or outdoors, however, as they tend to create more buildup in the chimney than hardwoods do.

Harvesting Firewood

Some residential properties are large enough to have a timber stand that can provide wood for burning. Depending on the size of the property and the residents' needs, a number of trees can be grown sustainably on a schedule to accommodate annual firewood requirements while maintaining a wooded ecosystem. 

Firewood can also be claimed from a property’s canopy by using arborist cuttings or from dead or fallen trees. Michael Davie told us, “Arborists will leave wood for people if they want it, but I warn them it’s work, and I do worry about amateurs using axes, log splitters, or chainsaws; it’s very easy to hurt yourself or mess things up using wood cutting equipment improperly.” It’s important to adhere to best practices and machinery instructions and take safety precautions like wearing gloves and eye protection when using potentially dangerous tools.

Once harvested and cut, firewood has to be seasoned, or dried out over at least six months. When possible, being able to choose dead or fallen trees may reduce this period if they’ve been drying for a while already.

Fast-Growing Trees for Firewood

Some of the fastest-growing trees for good firewood include:

• Locust 

• Oak

• Osage

• Poplar

• Willow

• Birch

What Is a Cord of Firewood?

Firewood units are called “cords,” referring to 128 cubic feet of firewood. A cord is generally stacked 8x4x4 or 2x4x16. This arrangement allows for airflow that helps keep the pieces of wood dry while they’re stacked and stored.

Purchasing Firewood

If you don’t have wood on your property to cut down, firewood can always be purchased from various local sources. Depending on how you buy the firewood, it may be sold in small quantities or cords.

When buying from a firewood seller, the wood should be dry and cut cleanly and evenly, without any bark, branches, knots, or green or rotting wood. Before the purchase, ask whether it’s a “thrown cord” (a loose estimation, piled unevenly and potentially containing dirt or rocks) or a “stacked cord,” which is measured and neatly packaged for delivery.

Storing Firewood

When you acquire firewood for the season, a storage strategy is important to keep the wood dry and accessible. Wet wood doesn’t burn well, and if it does at all, it pops and smokes.

Large amounts of firewood should usually be kept outside for constant airflow and sun exposure, both of which will help keep it dry. If the wood stack is covered, there should be adequate airflow to avoid moisture, which can lead to wet or rotted wood. 

Metal firewood racks help keep wood organized, frequently in a cord shape with cord dimensions. Stacking wood high and thin exposes the most surface area to avoid moisture buildup and allows the wood to breathe. When keeping firewood indoors in a wood closet, garage, or basement, monitor air moisture levels, and consider a dehumidifier to maintain the wood’s dryness until you’re ready to use it.

Firewood and Invasive Insects

Invasive pests can be spread by moving wood from place to place. The emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle (which affects hardwood trees like maples and birches) are the result of moving lumber internationally, and they have caused huge devastation to American tree populations. Freshly cut wood from even a few miles away might be from an infected tree and could carry a pest with it to a new area. 

When you buy firewood from a local producer who has inspected, seasoned, and prepared the product for use, or when you harvest wood from your own tree stand, the chances of transporting an invasive insect are low, so it’s best to acquire firewood as locally as possible.

Whether you’d like to source some trees for your firewood stand or plant a new addition to your backyard, consider purchasing your trees through the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps’ tree sale. We need volunteers to help us plant trees across the city; click here to sign up! And if you haven’t already, subscribe to our email newsletter to stay on top of local tree news and useful information about our canopy ecosystem.