Mulberry Firewood

I'll be honest: I didn't take Mulberry seriously as firewood until a buddy dropped off half a cord he'd cleaned out of a fencerow. Loaded up the stove that night and was genuinely surprised. At 23.2 million BTU per cord and 3,740 lbs dry weight, this stuff puts out real heat.

The coals are excellent, and it splits easy. One of the easiest hardwoods you'll ever process. A few swings with a maul and the rounds practically fall apart. That alone makes it worth grabbing whenever you find it, because easy splitting means less time working and more time with your feet up.

Two things to know though. Mulberry throws more sparks than your typical hardwood, rated "many", so a fireplace screen is a must if you're running an open hearth. And the smoke level is medium, not super low like oak, so make sure it's well-seasoned before burning. Check our firewood seasoning guide for tips on getting it dialed in.

Speaking of seasoning, Mulberry only needs 12 to 18 months. That's pretty quick for a wood with this much heat output. The fragrance is good too, slightly sweet. Which makes it pleasant to work around and burn.

Overall, Mulberry earns an excellent rating. It's moderately available across the Midwest, South, and Northeast, often from old fencerows and property edges. If you like easy-splitting, high-heat hardwoods, also check out Honey Locust firewood for a similar experience.