Best Trees For Firewood – 6 Good Burning Species
To get the best out of your campfire, you will need the best trees for firewood.
Going camping is one of the best outdoor activities known to man. Thanks to the thrills, the stories, and the campfires.
Stay with me because, in this article, I’ll talk about trees suitable for firewood, the best burning trees, and the fastest-growing trees for firewood.
FACT: The Fastest-Growing Trees In the World
Best Burning Trees For Firewood
This is a very tricky question. It depends on what firewood is used for and where you will use it.
I’ve mentioned campfires already, but that’s not all that firewood is used for. They can be used indoors by the fireplace too.
If you are interested in construction, here are the best trees for lumber.
For outdoor use, the wood that can be considered the best is that that burns quickly and intensely. This is because the outer atmosphere has a lot of dew during the late hours of the night and early hours of the morning.
As for the best wood for the fireplace, you may not need one that burns intensely since you have no outdoor moisture.
GUIDE: Make Money Selling Kindling
Generally, good firewood is dense, produces heat, doesn’t spark, and doesn’t produce lousy smoke.
Let us check out some of the best trees you can use for firewood.
They are listed below –
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Oak Tree
The Oaktree is probably one of the most popular sources of firewood in America, mainly the white and red oak tree.
There’s a reason the Oaktree is so popular among those looking to make fire; they are solid and have a high density, which means they will burn better.
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Hickory Trees
This is another popular choice for firewood. They have the same features as an Oak tree (as far as burning is concerned).
They are pretty solid and dense. Excellent for the production of heat!
An example of a Hickory tree is the Pecan tree.
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Black Locust Trees
Funny enough, the wood from Locust trees is more famous for making fence posts than firewood.
They are used to make fence posts because of their strength and density, the two exact requirements for wood to burn correctly.
Another reason they may not be so popular for firewood is that they only grow in a few states in America.
However, it remains an excellent option for indoor and outdoor firewood needs.
This is also a good choice for firewood, although it is not as tough as the Oaktree and Hickory tree.
It has an advantage over them, though. It produces fewer sparks and not so much smoke. This makes it easier to be around the burning wood during campfires or the fireplace at home.
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White Ash Tree
This tree also burns very well and doesn’t weigh as much as the other good trees for firewood. It is not as hard, making splitting with an ax into firewood logs easy.
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Birch Tree Bark
While I would rank this lowest on my list of best trees for firewood, I would also like to point out that it is one of the most explosive you can ever find.
The Birch tree’s bark lights up quickly, so starting the fire will not be a problem. However, it burns out faster than the wood from other, more challenging trees.
All in all, it’s one of the best burning trees you can find.
Woods That Should Not Be Used As Firewood
Some people may think that the wood from any tree should be suitable for firewood. The wood from any tree can catch fire and be burnt, but that doesn’t mean they are good enough to be used as firewood.
Some of such woods produce too much smoke, making it unbearable for you to be around. Others have too many sparks, while others will make you feel like you’re trying to burn a rock.
Let’s take a look at the worst trees for firewood.
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All Coniferous Trees
Yes, all coniferous trees are terrible when using them for firewood. They are also known as softwood trees and have needles instead of leaves.
The name “softwood” says it all. They aren’t as hard as firewood trees are meant to be and are low in density.
Another reason coniferous trees harm firewood is that they are filled with pitch, which helps produce creosote when burning. Creosote can stick to your walls and is a potential fire hazard.
The biggest downside to using coniferous trees for firewood is that they produce too much spark and smoke, which you cannot stand.
They are just not built for it.
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Aspen Wood
Although this is a deciduous tree, it is not suitable for firewood. The wood is too soft, and it is not as dense as good firewood is required to be.
It is also feeble at producing heat.
The wood of this tree is better than that of all coniferous trees for firewood, but it still doesn’t meet the standards as far as the best burning trees are concerned.
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Basswood And Willow Trees
These trees are similar to the Aspen tree because they have very softwood and are poor at producing heat.
They are also low in density, so using them for firewood is a bad idea.
Best Trees To Plant For Home-Grown Firewood
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable means by which your home can be well heated, then homegrown firewood sounds like the best bet.
It will save you tons of money on heating bills, and you don’t have to drive out to buy. It’s right there in your yard. All you have to do is chop it up!
So, what are the best trees for homegrown firewood? Let’s check them out!
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Ash Tree
The Ash tree is one of the most popular firewood trees in Europe. It is easy to split into small logs and burns pretty well.
It is also lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around. It produces no annoying smoke, so it’s excellent for fireplaces.
The only problem with planting an Ash tree home for firewood is that it takes too long to grow to firewood standards.
If you’re the same patient type, then you can plant this at home, although it’s more than likely that the coming generations are the ones who will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
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The Oak Tree
As far as firewood is concerned, Oaktree will always remain a popular choice among Americans.
It produces hardwood which is very high in density and quickly has heat.
The wood is pretty thick, so it can burn for quite a while before it burns out.
The great thing about growing an Oak tree for home use is that it takes just ten years upon planting before you can start harvesting its wood for the fire.
The Northern Pin and Red Oak are among the fastest-growing trees for firewood. The Sugar Maple tree and the English Oak are also known for growing fast.
Fast-growing firewood trees such as these are excellent for home planting.
Best Time To Harvest Homegrown Firewood Trees
The best time for this is late in the winter. Be sure to do this approximately four months before it starts to bud.
During this period, the tree is low in sap and is 60% drier. This means the chances of rot are significantly reduced.
If you allow your firewood tree to start budding, it means the tree will start to produce moisture, and you know wet wood isn’t suitable for firewood. Here, take a look at the best moisture meter for firewood.
If it’s during the summer, you can wait a few days before the leaves turn brown before cutting.
Qualities A Good Firewood Tree Should Have
I have mentioned a few qualities that good firewood trees should possess in this article.
These include strength, density, and ability to produce heat.
However, there are other qualities good firewood should possess.
Firstly, good firewood isn’t supposed to spark, so much sparking should be kept bare minimum.
Also, good firewood produces pleasant-smelling smoke, which is great for barbeques and other cookouts.
The ash tree is ranked so high on the pedestal of firewood trees because it has a moisture level of just 33% and can burn very well, even when it’s green.
Any tree that is not dense does not produce sufficient heat, has softwood, and produces creosote, which is generally bad for firewood.
Also, trees that spark a lot and produce irritating smoke are unsuitable for firewood. They will ruin not just your walls but your mood as well.
READ: Signs To Know A Dead Tree
Conclusion: The Best Firewood Trees
I hope this article – the best trees for Firewood has been helpful.
Stay safe!