Hackberry Firewood

Don't sleep on Hackberry. I know, it's not glamorous, it doesn't have the reputation of oak or hickory, and at 19.5 million BTU per cord it's not going to win any heat output contests. But here's the thing... it seasons fast, splits like butter, and there's a ton of it out there across the Midwest and South.

At 3,145 lbs dry per cord with a green weight of 3,984 lbs, it's lighter than the premium hardwoods. The coals are good, smoke is low, and sparks are few. It's an honest, no-fuss firewood that does its job without drama. Worth comparing on our firewood types page against other mid-tier species.

Splitting Hackberry is about as easy as it gets. Straight grain, soft enough to process quickly, and you can knock out a cord by hand without hating your life afterward. If you're new to splitting or just want a break from fighting gnarly oak, Hackberry is a pleasure.

The real standout feature is seasoning time, just 8 to 12 months. That's incredibly fast. Cut it in late winter, split and stack it, and you could be burning it by that same fall. For people who don't plan two years ahead (which is most of us, let's be real), that fast turnaround is a big deal.

Hackberry earns a good overall rating. It's not the hottest thing you'll burn, but it's common, easy to work, and dries quickly. Mix it with something denser like oak for overnight burns and you've got a great combo. Similar vibes to American Elm firewood, but way easier to split.