One common misconception people have about firewood is: ‘Since it’s wood and is dry enough, it should burn’. Well, for those of you that might follow that thought train, sorry to burst your bubble, but that is not always the case.
Some trees burn better than others and it is a generally accepted fact that hardwood burns better than softwood. Also, seasoned wood will definitely outperform green and unseasoned wood in terms of burning.
However, learning which type of trees would make good firewood could prove to be time-consuming, hence why we have created a list of the best trees for firewood:
1. Oak tree firewood
Oak trees are everywhere and it is little wonder that they are of the best trees for producing firewood. It is a hardwood which is best suited to a fireplace or stove because it burns very hot.
Oak wood is easy to light and burn due to its high density and it can support a flame for extended periods. It is quite easy to split, gives out few sparks when burning and the smoke has a pleasant fragrance.
2. Hickory tree firewood
Hickory trees are among the very best for firewood due to their unique blend of strength, stiffness and hardness. Firewood from this tree produces red-hot fire and can continue burning for a while.
It is quite efficient for use in cooking, and its great scent when burning makes it a popular choice for meat grilling.
3. Black maple tree firewood
Another very good source of firewood is wood gotten from the black maple tree. Maple trees are cultivated and harvested for the sole purpose of providing firewood. It doesn’t give out a lot of smoke, has a very nice smell and burns hot and long. The only downside of using maple as firewood is: it is quite expensive.
4. Birch tree firewood
The Birch tree makes a great option for firewood due to its tendency to burn fast and strong, even when it is unseasoned. When struck against each other, the barks of a birch tree can start fire.
5. White ash tree firewood
White ash wood has a reputation of being one of the best woods for burning. Unlike other wood on this list, it is quite last and can be easily split into smaller pieces. It burns successfully on its own, giving out little or no smoke in the process
6. Black walnut tree firewood
One reason the black walnut tree makes an excellent firewood is its high heat per cord ratio. Its BTU is 22.2 million and it burns quite long and hard. It is also a decent source of charcoal.
7. Apple tree firewood
Popularly known for its fruit, the apple tree has yet another useful product: its firewood. While burning, it doesn’t give out much smoke, sparks less frequently and is quite good for charcoal production.
8. Cherry tree firewood
Commonly used for making furniture, cherry wood is also an excellent source of firewood. It lights up rather easily and can be cut into pieces with minimal effort. Cherry wood can burn for long periods, giving out moderate levels of heat in the process.
9. Beech tree firewood
Beech is great tree for firewood. It has a high water content though, and should be properly dried before use. The beech tree is considerably strong; hence it would take some work to split it in pieces. Apart from that, it is an al-round excellent choice of firewood
10. Black Locust tree firewood
Although it is not as known as the other trees on this list, the Black Locust tree does produce excellent firewood. It’s high density, coupled with low smoke emission and few sparks whilst burning all contribute to it being on this list. You would, however, require some effort to split this wood as it is quite hard.
Hope this article is helpful for you. For more info on backyard farming, check out our homepage or our DIY page.
