Bitternut Hickory Firewood

"It's still hickory." That's what the old-timer told me when I asked if Bitternut was worth hauling home, and he was right. At 23.7 million BTU per cord, Bitternut Hickory might be the "lesser" hickory in some people's minds, but it still burns hotter than white oak, maple, ash, and most of the firewood species people go out of their way to buy.

Compared to its cousin Shagbark Hickory at 25.3M BTU/cord, Bitternut gives up about 1.6M BTU. A gap you'd honestly never notice in real-world burning. A dry cord weighs 3,825 lbs and produces excellent coals. Load a couple thick splits before bed and you'll wake up to embers you can coax back to life without kindling.

Splitting Bitternut is a medium-difficulty job. It's dense but generally cooperates with a good maul. Not like Shagbark, which can be stringy and stubborn. You'll get through a pickup load in an afternoon without destroying yourself. Low smoke, few sparks, and a pleasant smell in the wood yard, classic hickory character.

Give Bitternut 18 to 24 months to season. Like all hickories, it's dense enough that moisture doesn't leave willingly. Split it as soon as possible after felling, stack it in a sunny spot with airflow on all sides, and resist the urge to burn it at the one-year mark unless your moisture meter says otherwise.

Bitternut Hickory is common across the northeast, midwest, and southeast, honestly one of the most available hickory species in the eastern U.S. Check it against the full lineup on the firewood BTU chart. And if you want to see how it stacks up against the fan favorite, take a look at Shagbark Hickory firewood.