After reading these tips, you will not only be able to buy the best firewood for your buck, you’ll be able to burn that firewood without smoking out your house or neighbors!
There are not many things that I like about cold weather, however snuggling-up to a roaring fire with my honey tops the list! Bring on the marshmallows, hot chocolate and some chestnuts to roast, fires bring out the kid in all of us.
If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in your home, you’re all set. Many outdoor areas easily convert to a fire pit. A circle of small boulders, bricks or just an area cleared of burnable material will work just fine.
Types of Firewood
As an arborist, folks often ask me, “What’s the best type of firewood to buy?” There’s no one answer. Everyone has a favorite firewood, just as everyone has a different way of lighting and running a fire.
Pound for pound, all varieties of wood have approximately the same heat content, which is about 6400 BTU. The heat created by burning firewood is essentially the energy of the sun, the ultimate source of all energy on planet Earth. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees are able to store solar energy as chemical energy. Burning wood is just the quick reversal of this process, liberating the suns heat when we need to keep warm.
Although the heat content may be the same, woods do burn differently because of differences in density. Firewood is classified into two categories. Soft woods include pine, juniper, spruce, poplar and cedar. These burn easily and quickly, providing a hot fire, although it won’t last long. Hardwoods are denser and burn quite slowly, producing less immediate heat but a fire that lasts longer. Hardwoods include maple, oak, ash, birch and hickory.
Wood Types & Energy Release
Another consideration of energy release is that the size of the firewood pieces affects the rate of combustion. Larger pieces ignite and release their energy slower than small pieces. Smaller pieces are better for short, hot fires (cooking) while larger pieces are a better choice for extended burning (warmth).
Where and How to Buy Firewood
Tree trimming companies make the best places to buy firewood. Here’s why—they get paid to prune or remove trees, then profit again by selling the wood as firewood. Double payday! Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture regularly check these locations for pests that could spread. In many cases, mulching the wood kills the insects, making it eligible for sale as firewood.
If possible, try to visit the location where you will be buying your firewood. See the actual wood you’ll be purchasing. Bundles can be any amount, mainly bought by campers needing only enough wood for a camping weekend. Otherwise, the only legal unit of measurement to buy firewood in is the CORD, defined as, “a loosely stacked pile of split firewood measuring 4 ft. wide x 4 ft. high x 8 ft. long.” equal to about 128 cubic feet.
There is no legal standard for the “Face Cord“, but it should be about 45 cubic feet = 1/3 cord. Multiply your Face Cord price X3 to determine you’re getting a good price.
Some quick notes on types of campfires:
TEE-PEE FIRE:
This is probably the most basic of fire designs. Often used as a starter for bigger, longer-lasting fires, this setup primarily uses kindling. By adding larger logs vertically, you can create bigger teepees to fuel the fire.
PYRAMID/PLATFORM FIRE:
This fire consists of a foundation framework of large logs laid side by side to form a solid base. These are great for cooking. It can provide quick warmth and be the start of any number of larger blazes.
STAR or INDIAN FIRE:
A star fire, or Indian fire, often depicts the campfire of the old West. Imagine five or six logs laid out like the spokes of a wheel (star shaped). Start this fire at the “hub,” then push each log toward the center as the ends burn. It’s another fire that can keep burning all night with minimal maintenance, especially in areas where firewood is scarce.
LEAN-TO FIRE:
This is a great fire during windy days. Be sure to check wind direction before set-up.
Storing Firewood
When the wood arrives, stack it in neat, loose piles off the ground in a sunlit location, away from buildings. Plastic sheeting or closer stacking of top pieces will protect firewood from rain and snow. Firewood put in a shady corner near buildings or surrounded by shrubs deteriorates faster than wood stored in an open, sunlit location, reducing the fuel value.
Don’t treat firewood with pesticides. Storing firewood away from the house and bringing in only a day or two’s worth at a time should prevent dormant or pupating insects from warming up and emerging to become pests inside your home.
FAQ’s
Although the heat content may be the same, woods do burn differently because of differences in density. Firewood is classified into two categories. Soft woods include pine, juniper, spruce, poplar and cedar. These burn easily and quickly, providing a hot fire, although it won’t last long. Hardwoods are denser and burn quite slowly, producing less immediate heat but a fire that lasts longer. Hardwoods include maple, oak, ash, birch and hickory. 
If possible, try to visit the location where you will be buying your firewood. Wood will already be stacked in the quantities sold. Bundles can be any amount, mainly bought by campers needing only enough wood for a camping weekend. Otherwise, the only legal unit of measurement to buy firewood in is the CORD, defined as, “a loosely stacked pile of split firewood measuring 4 ft. wide x 4 ft. high x 8 ft. long.” equal to about 128 cubic feet.
There is no legal standard for the “Face Cord“, but it should be about 45 cubic feet = 1/3 cord. Multiply your Face Cord price X3 to determine you’re getting a good price. 
TEE-PEE FIRE:
This is probably the most basic of fire designs. Often used as a starter for bigger, longer-lasting fires, this setup primarily uses kindling. By adding larger logs vertically, you can create bigger teepees to fuel the fire.
PYRAMID/PLATFORM FIRE:
This fire consists of a foundation framework of large logs laid side by side to form a solid base. These can be used to cook on very easily. It can provide quick warmth and be the start of any number of larger blazes.
STAR or INDIAN FIRE:
A star fire, or Indian fire, often depicts the campfire of the old West. Imagine five or six logs laid out like the spokes of a wheel (star shaped). Start this fire at the “hub,” then push each log toward the center as the ends burn. It’s another fire that can keep burning all night with minimal maintenance, especially in areas where firewood is scarce.
LEAN-TO FIRE:
This is a great fire during windy days. Be sure to check wind direction before set-up. 
Tree trimming companies are your best locations to buy firewood. Pretty easy to figure out why… They get paid to prune or remove trees and then get to paid again selling it as firewood. Double payday! Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture (here in Illinois at least) do pay visits to these locations looking for emerald ash borer and other pests that can be transferred via firewood. Many times mulching the wood destroys the insect and it can be sold as such. 