Firewood Types - what what are the best firewoods?
One question often asked is "What firewood types are best?" there is a short easy answer as well as a long and more complex one.
The best firewood types - short version
The type of wood available in different areas of the world is very varied so what is best here in the UK is unlikley to be available in the USA or anywhere else in the world for that matter.
As a general rule firewood is better the denser it is - if well seasoned a heavier log of the same size will contain more energy, burn for longer and you will need less of it in your wood stove. Ask around and find what grows in your area.
Here in the south east of the UK our best firewood types are english oak and hornbeam, however sweet chestnut tends to be more readily available from the old coppice woodlands. In general try to make sure when you buy firewood that you know what type of wood it is, and whether it is good for burning, as well as that it is locally sourced. Avoid buying "premium" wood that may have travelled hundreds of miles - there is a high risk of disease spreading in firewood large sections of forest are currently being wiped out by various infections. Not mention that you end up paying more for the fuel to haul it!
What are the best firewood types? - a longer version
While bearing in mind the above general points, you might also like to look at the various different species of firewood tree in more detail. Where possible I have included photos to help with identification as well as other uses for the wood. This is an incomplete, but growing, section of the site and I invite you to contribute if you have something to add. Personal experiences of using different tree species are especially useful.
I have tried to give them a star rating that reflects their burning properties; for example oak tends to be very dense, burns hot and long, laying down a good bed of coals and different species of oak are readily available through much of the world. It does need a good 18 months to season, or longer for it to be perfect. Oak earned 4 and a half stars.
Sweet chestnut on the other hand is available in abundance but has some less desirable properties - it is less dense than oak, so you need more wood, the logs spit dramatically which rules it out for open fires, and sweet chestnut seasons very slowly for some reason. I've awarded sweet chestnut two and a half stars.
Firewood Types : Sweet Chestnut 
When buying firewood the prices should reflect the quality of the wood - expect to pay less for a cord of pine than for a cord of well seasoned oak for example.
Add a firewood type
Do you burn a particular firewood type that we don't have? Or have we got something wrong? Share your wood burning stories!
Types of Firewood Other Visitors Have Submitted
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Acacia erioloba
Not rated yet
Yes, I know you can't get it in Europe! But when it comes to firewood I think this one is the king.
The Acacia erioloba or "camelthorn" tree is native ...
