Firewood Types

Look, I know BTU charts and data tables are helpful, but they only tell part of the story. I've burned just about every species on this list, and the real-world experience doesn't always match the numbers. A cord of osage orange might top the charts at 30 million BTU, but good luck finding it in most parts of the country, and splitting it is an absolute workout. For most of us, the "best" firewood is whatever dense hardwood is locally available and reasonably priced.

That said, coal quality is the one stat I pay attention to more than anything. If you're heating overnight, you need coals that hold heat for 8+ hours. Oak and hickory are kings here. I've loaded up the stove with white oak at 10 PM and still had a bed of hot coals at 6 AM. Try that with pine and you'll wake up to a cold house and a dead firebox. Check our BTU chart to sort species by coal quality and see which ones actually keep the heat going.

My honest advice? Pick 2-3 species that grow in your area, are rated "good" or "excellent" overall, and don't cost a fortune per cord. Then use our heating calculator to figure out how many cords you actually need for the winter. And start seasoning early. That's the mistake most people make. Our seasoning guide will give you a timeline so your wood is actually ready when the cold hits.

Hardwood vs Softwood

Here's the short version: hardwood is denser, burns longer, and throws more heat. Softwood is lighter, seasons faster, and is way easier to split. If you're heating your home all winter, hardwood is what you want as your main fuel. Period. Oak, hickory, maple, ash. These are the workhorses. A single cord of white oak puts out around 24 million BTU. A cord of spruce? About 15 million. That's a massive difference when it's 10 degrees outside and you're going through wood fast.

But don't sleep on softwood entirely. I keep a stack of pine and cedar around specifically for kindling and quick fires on mild days. Cedar splits like butter, catches fast, and smells incredible. Pine is great for getting a fire going before you load on the hardwood. Plus, softwood seasons in about half the time, 6 months vs 12-24 for most hardwoods. If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, check out our cost calculator to compare cost per million BTU across all species.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best firewood to burn for heat?

Dense hardwoods produce the most heat per cord. Osage orange tops the list at 30 million BTU, followed by hickory, oak, and black locust, all above 23 million BTU. They also produce excellent coals, which means fewer trips to reload the stove overnight.

What is the difference between hardwood and softwood firewood?

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees like oak, maple, and ash. It's denser, burns longer, and produces more heat per cord. Softwood comes from conifers like pine, spruce, and fir. It's lighter, seasons faster, and is easier to split. Most people use hardwood as their primary heating fuel and softwood for kindling or quick fires.

How many types of firewood are there?

Hundreds of tree species can be burned as firewood, but about 70 are commonly available and used in North America. Our database covers all 70 with BTU ratings, seasoning times, and burn quality data.

What firewood should I avoid burning?

Never burn treated lumber, painted wood, or plywood. They release toxic chemicals. For natural firewood, avoid burning anything green (unseasoned). Among seasoned species, willow and cottonwood produce the least heat and are generally not worth the effort as primary heating fuel.

Does the type of firewood affect creosote buildup?

Yes. All wood produces some creosote, but unseasoned wood and resinous softwoods like pine produce significantly more. Burning properly seasoned hardwood with good airflow minimizes creosote. Clean your chimney at least once a year regardless of what you burn.

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