Firewood Quality

Which species burn hottest, how dry wood needs to be and how long it takes to get there.

Best Firewood by BTU: Heat Value per Cord by SpeciesHickory, oak and sugar maple give about 26–29 million BTU per cord; pine and hemlock sit near 16–17. Compare species, moisture and splitting.How Long Does Firewood Take to Season? Hardwood vs SoftwoodPlan on 6-12 months for softwood and 12-24 for hardwood, until a moisture meter reads 20% or less. Splitting speeds it up.How Many BTU Are in a Cord of Wood?About 20 million BTU on average (EIA), from roughly 16 million for softwoods to 29 million for hickory. See what actually reaches your room.