A Quick Guide to Firewood

Perhaps the last thing you’re thinking about in mid-summer is firewood, but this is actually the best time to begin collecting it. You will use firewood throughout the winter and now is a good time to find it so you can be sure it is seasoned and dry by the time you actually need to burn the wood.

If you are new to firewood, there are a few things you should know.

The best wood types for burning

In general, you want to find some kind of hardwood if it’s for burning. This is because it contains very little resin and will tend to burn for a longer period of time. However, many softwoods are also useful for firewood. If you’re wondering which woods are best for burning, the top five types of firewood in the UK include:

Oak. This hardwood burns for a long time and is quite dense, with very little smoke. It also works well if you need to burn something overnight.

Ash. Another hardwood, ash has bright flames, lasts for quite some time and is good for heat. It burns more intensely and faster than other woods but produces little smoke.

Birch. If you have the option of controlling your burn rate, then you should use birch. It’s a hot burning hardwood that can burn for some time when tamped down.

Hawthorn. Like the others in this list, hawthorn is a hardwood and is a nice steady burn. It produces good, consistent heat, but it can be tough to split. You’ll want to buy it pre-cut.

Beech. As a hot burner, beech can be difficult to keep going, as it burns rapidly. You may end up collecting more just for this reason. However, it’s a clean burn and has very little smoke.

What to avoid when collecting firewood

Certain types of wood should be avoided and is not suitable for firewood. You can’t burn just anything so be aware that if you get firewood that is inappropriate, it could cause health issues.

Here are some things to avoid:

Pressure-treated/painted wood. This can release harmful chemicals when the wood is burned and if this is done indoors, it is particularly dangerous.

Driftwood. Any wood that has been exposed to the sea is not suitable for burning. It contains chlorine which will become toxic once heated. Even freshwater driftwood is usually bad for burning, though this is usually due to being wet.

Rotten wood. If the wood is pithy and rotting away, you should not burn it. This can cause problems for asthmatics and is difficult to burn.

Choose only wood that is meant to be firewood. If you’re currently in the market for some firewood, you can find it at Ace Tree Surgeons. We offer a range of high-quality firewood, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. Contact us today to find out more.