Lodgepole Pine Firewood

Lodgepole pine is one of those species where the name tells you everything. Native Americans used these straight, skinny trunks for lodge poles, and today they're still growing everywhere across the mountain West. If you've done any hiking or camping in Montana, Wyoming, or Colorado, you've walked through miles of it.

With 15.3 million BTU per cord, lodgepole actually beats ponderosa by a hair. Still not going to compete with hardwoods, but for a softwood, it holds its own. At 2,465 lbs. dry per cord, it's light wood that burns hot and fast, plan on feeding the stove regularly. Check the firewood BTU chart to see where it stacks up against the full list of 70 species.

The stuff splits like butter. Seriously, a sharp maul and you're one swing per round on most pieces. Just watch for the sparks, lodgepole throws a lot of them, same as most pines. Use a spark screen and you'll be fine.

Seasoning takes 6 to 12 months, which is pretty standard for pine. The thin trunks mean smaller diameter rounds that dry out quicker than fat ponderosa logs. Stack it loose, bark side up, and let the wind do the work.

Lodgepole is best for kindling, getting a fire going quick, or as a mixing wood alongside something denser. If you can get beetle-kill stuff, even better. It's already partly dried standing. Not a primary heating wood unless that's all you've got, but it's abundant and free for the cutting in a lot of places. Similar profile to Ponderosa Pine firewood but a touch more heat per cord.