What is the best firewood to burn?
Figures checked Nov. 10, 2026
The best firewood gives the most heat per cord. In the official tables we use, osage-orange (about 30.5 million Btu per cord), black locust (27.9), hickory (27.7) and white oak (26.5) lead the list. Whatever the wood, burn it seasoned: dried for at least 6 months, to under 20 percent moisture.
Firewood heat by species
Heat is in million Btu per cord of seasoned wood; weight is in pounds per cord. The figures come from university extension and state forestry tables.
| Wood | Heat (million Btu per cord) | Seasoned weight (lb per cord) |
|---|---|---|
| Osage-orange (hedge apple) | 30.5 | 4,792 |
| Black locust | 27.9 | 4,200 |
| Hickory (shagbark and other hickories) | 27.7 | 4,327 |
| White oak | 26.5 | 4,200 |
| Bur oak | 25 | 3,768 |
| Mulberry | 25 | 3,712 |
| Sugar maple (hard maple) | 24 | 3,757 |
| Red oak | 24 | 3,757 |
| American beech | 24 | 3,760 |
| Honeylocust | 24 | 3,832 |
| White ash | 23.6 | 3,689 |
| Black walnut | 22 | 3,192 |
| Sweetgum | 21.3 | No figure we trust |
| Apple | 21 to 27 (sources disagree) | 4,140 |
| Rocky Mountain juniper | 21 | 3,150 |
| Douglas-fir | 20.7 | 2,970 |
| Birch (paper / white birch) | 20.3 | 3,179 |
| Green ash | 20 | 3,296 |
| Hackberry | 20 | 3,247 |
| Black cherry | 19.9 | 2,928 |
| American sycamore | 19.5 | 2,900 |
| American elm | 19 | 3,000 |
| Soft maple (red / silver maple) | 18.7 | 2,924 |
| Yellow-poplar (tulip tree) | 17.3 | No figure we trust |
| Boxelder | 17 | 2,632 |
| Willow | 16 | 2,540 |
| Hemlock | 15.9 | 2,700 |
| Spruce | 15.5 | 2,240 |
| Ponderosa pine | 15 | 2,336 |
| Eastern white pine | 14.3 | 2,250 |
| Quaking aspen | 14 | 2,295 |
| Cottonwood | 13.5 | 2,272 |
| Basswood (linden) | 13 | 2,108 |
| Eastern redcedar | 13 to 21 (sources disagree) | 2,344 |
How we pick each figure
Where tables disagree, we show the lowest heat figure and the highest weight. That way heat estimates lean toward more wood, not less.
Some woods split the sources. Eastern redcedar runs from 13 to 21 million Btu per cord, because the sources disagree. Apple runs from 21 to 27 million; the lowest figure comes from a table that groups apple with crabapple. Our calculators use the lowest figure for both.
Pinyon and lodgepole pine are left out of the heat list. Each has only one heat figure, and it doesn't fit the rest of its own table, so we don't trust it.
Yellow-poplar and sweetgum have only one cord weight each, from a table that runs low against the others, so we don't give one.
Hardwood vs softwood
In the table, the heaviest woods also give the most heat per cord. Dense hardwoods such as oak, hickory and locust sit at the top.
A cord of eastern white pine holds about 14.3 million Btu, against about 24 million for red oak. Do the sums before you buy: the fuel cost comparer shows the cost per million Btu.
Sparks matter too. The University of Missouri Extension rates osage-orange "Excellent, but dangerous if burning in an open fireplace due to abundant sparks."
What is seasoned firewood?
Seasoned firewood is wood that has been split and left to dry. The EPA says: Wood burns best at a moisture content of less than 20 percent.
The Department of Energy agrees: It should have a moisture content of 20% or less by weight.
The EPA's advice is short: "Burn only dry, split, well-seasoned wood."
How long to season firewood
The EPA's rule is Season wood for at least six months.
Dense hardwoods such as oak often need a year or more. The University of Missouri Extension says: Most dense hardwoods require at least one year to season fully.
South Dakota State University describes seasoned wood like this: This is wood that has been split, stored off the ground and protected from the elements for at least nine months.
Time alone doesn't prove it's dry. The EPA says to "Test wood with a wood moisture meter before you burn it."
What not to burn
The EPA lists things that should never go in a stove or fireplace:
- Household trash, including cardboard, plastics, foam and the colored ink on magazines, boxes and wrappers.
- Coated, painted and pressure-treated wood.
- Ocean driftwood, plywood, particle board, or any wood with glue on or in it.
- Wet, rotted, diseased or moldy wood.
Questions people ask
What is the best firewood to burn?
Dense hardwoods give the most heat per cord: osage-orange, black locust, hickory and oak lead our table. Burn any wood seasoned, under 20 percent moisture.
Is pine good firewood?
It burns, but a cord gives less heat. Eastern white pine holds about 14.3 million Btu per cord, against about 24 million for red oak.
How long does firewood need to season?
At least 6 months, says the EPA. Dense hardwoods such as oak often need a year or more.
What moisture content should firewood be?
Under 20 percent. Check with a wood moisture meter before you burn it.
Sources for this page
2 figures and 34 wood types, each with its source
Every figure on this page, with its source. Open one to see the exact words on the source page and how it was checked.
Moisture content of seasoned firewood: 20% (less than) Official
From US EPA Burn Wise: Best Wood-Burning Practices, which says: “Wood burns best at a moisture content of less than 20 percent.” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026. A blind check looked it up again on Nov. 10, 2026 without seeing our figure: the two agreed.
How long to season firewood (minimum): 6 months Official
From US EPA Burn Wise: Best Wood-Burning Practices, which says: “Season wood for at least six months.” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026. A blind check looked it up again on Nov. 10, 2026 without seeing our figure: the two agreed.
American elm: 19 million Btu per cord; 3,000 lb seasoned; 4,456 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “American elm | 19 | Moderate | Few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “American elm | 3,000 | 20.2” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Elm, American | 4456 | 2872 | 20.0” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Apple: 21 to 27 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 4,140 lb seasoned; 4,850 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Apple & Crabapple | 21 | Low | Few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Apple | 4,140 | 26.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Apple | 4850 | 3888 | 27.0” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Quaking aspen: 14 to 18.2 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 2,295 lb seasoned Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Aspen | 14 | Moderate | None to few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Aspen | 2,295 | 14.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Basswood (linden): 13 to 15.2 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 2,108 lb seasoned; 4,404 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Basswood | 13 | Moderate | Few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Basswood | 2,108 | 13.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Basswood (Linden) | 4404 | 1984 | 13.8” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
American beech: 24 to 27.5 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 3,760 lb seasoned Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Beech | 3,757 | 24” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Beech | (blank) | 3760 | 27.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Black cherry: 19.9 million Btu per cord; 2,928 lb seasoned; 3,696 lb green Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Black cherry | 2,880 | 19.9” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Cherry | 3696 | 2928 | 20.4” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Black locust: 27.9 million Btu per cord; 4,200 lb seasoned; 4,616 lb green Official
Heat: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Locust, Black | 4616 | 4016 | 27.9” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Black locust | 4,200 | 29.3” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Locust, Black | 4616 | 4016 | 27.9” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Black walnut: 22 million Btu per cord; 3,192 lb seasoned; 4,584 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Black walnut | 22 | Low | None” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Walnut, Black | 4584 | 3192 | 22.2” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Boxelder: 17 million Btu per cord; 2,632 lb seasoned; 3,589 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Boxelder | 17 | Moderate | Few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Boxelder | 3589 | 2632 | 18.3” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Bur oak: 25 million Btu per cord; 3,768 lb seasoned; 4,960 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Bur oak | 25 | Low | Few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Oak, Bur | 4960 | 3768 | 26.2” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check on Nov. 9, 2026 found a table row the research had missed; this wood's figures were corrected from it.
Cottonwood: 13.5 to 15.8 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 2,272 lb seasoned; 4,640 lb green Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Cottonwood | 2,108 | 13.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Cottonwood | 4640 | 2272 | 15.8” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Douglas-fir: 20.7 million Btu per cord; 2,970 lb seasoned; 3,319 lb green Official
Heat: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Douglas-fir | 3319 | 2970 | 20.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Douglas-fir | 3319 | 2970 | 20.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Eastern redcedar: 13 to 21 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 2,344 lb seasoned Official
Heat: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Redcedar, Eastern | (blank) | 2060 | 13.0” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from University of Kentucky Forestry: Comparison of Properties Affecting Firewood, which says: “Red-cedar | 20.2 | 33 | Fair | 2344” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Green ash: 20 million Btu per cord; 3,296 lb seasoned; 4,184 lb green Official
Heat: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Ash, Green | 4184 | 2880 | 20.0” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Iowa State University Extension Natural Resources: Wood for Fuel, which says: “Green Ash | 3296” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Ash, Green | 4184 | 2880 | 20.0” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Hackberry: 20 million Btu per cord; 3,247 lb seasoned; 3,984 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Hackberry | 20 | Low | Few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Hackberry | 3,247 | 20.8” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Hackberry | 3984 | 3048 | 21.2” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Hemlock: 15.9 to 19.3 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 2,700 lb seasoned Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Hemlock | 2,482 | 15.9” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Hemlock | (blank) | 2700 | 19.3” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Hickory (shagbark and other hickories): 27.7 million Btu per cord; 4,327 lb seasoned Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Hickory | 4,327 | 27.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Hickory | 4,327 | 27.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Honeylocust: 24 to 26.7 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 3,832 lb seasoned; 4,640 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Honeylocust | 24 | Low | Few” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Honeylocust | 4640 | 3832 | 26.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Mulberry: 25 million Btu per cord; 3,712 lb seasoned; 4,712 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Mulberry | 25 | Moderate | Many” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Mulberry | 4712 | 3712 | 25.8” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Osage-orange (hedge apple): 30.5 to 32.9 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 4,792 lb seasoned; 5,120 lb green Official
Heat: from University of Kentucky Forestry: Comparison of Properties Affecting Firewood, which says: “Osage-orange | 30.5 | -- | Fair | 3688” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Iowa State University Extension Natural Resources: Wood for Fuel, which says: “Osage Orange | 4792” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Osage-orange | 5120 | 4728 | 32.9” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Birch (paper / white birch): 20.3 million Btu per cord; 3,179 lb seasoned; 4,312 lb green Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Paper birch | 3,179 | 20.3” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Paper birch | 3,179 | 20.3” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Birch | 4312 | 2992 | 20.8” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Ponderosa pine: 15 million Btu per cord; 2,336 lb seasoned; 3,600 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Ponderosa pine | 15 | Moderate | Moderate” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Pine, Ponderosa | 3600 | 2336 | 16.2” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Red oak: 24 million Btu per cord; 3,757 lb seasoned; 4,888 lb green Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Red oak | 3,757 | 24” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Red oak | 3,757 | 24” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Oak, Red | 4888 | 3528 | 24.6” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Rocky Mountain juniper: 21 million Btu per cord; 3,150 lb seasoned; 3,535 lb green Official
Heat: from SDSU Extension (John Ball, also SD DANR): Choosing Firewood, updated Dec 3 2021, which says: “Redcedar/Rocky Mt. Juniper | 21 | Moderate | Many” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Juniper, Rocky Mountain | 3535 | 3150 | 21.8” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Soft maple (red / silver maple): 18.7 million Btu per cord; 2,924 lb seasoned; 3,904 lb green Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Soft maple | 2,924 | 18.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Soft maple | 2,924 | 18.7” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Maple, Silver | 3904 | 2752 | 19.0” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check on Nov. 9, 2026 found a table row the research had missed; this wood's figures were corrected from it.
Spruce: 15.5 million Btu per cord; 2,240 lb seasoned; 2,800 lb green Official
Heat: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Spruce | 2800 | 2240 | 15.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Spruce | 2800 | 2240 | 15.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Sugar maple (hard maple): 24 million Btu per cord; 3,757 lb seasoned Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Hard maple | 3,757 | 24” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Hard maple | 3,757 | 24” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Sweetgum: 21.3 million Btu per cord; no weight figure we trust Official
Heat: from University of Kentucky Forestry: Comparison of Properties Affecting Firewood, which says: “Sweetgum | 21.3 | 79 | Fair | 2592” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
American sycamore: 19.5 million Btu per cord; 2,900 lb seasoned; 5,096 lb green Official
Heat: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Sycamore | 5096 | 2808 | 19.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “Sycamore | 2,900 | 20.2” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Sycamore | 5096 | 2808 | 19.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
White ash: 23.6 million Btu per cord; 3,689 lb seasoned; 3,952 lb green Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “White ash | 3,689 | 23.6” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “White ash | 3,689 | 23.6” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Green weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Ash, White | 3952 | 3472 | 24.2” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
White oak: 26.5 to 29.1 million Btu per cord (sources disagree; we use the lowest); 4,200 lb seasoned; 5,573 lb green Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “White oak | 3,800 | 26.5” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Oak, White | 5573 | 4200 | 29.1” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Eastern white pine: 14.3 million Btu per cord; 2,250 lb seasoned Official
Heat: from Virginia Tech (Bond & Downing): Firewood, Facts, Follies and Forest Management (Woods & Wildlife 2013), which says: “White pine | 2,236 | 14.3” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Pine, White | (blank) | 2250 | 15.9” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Willow: 16 million Btu per cord; 2,540 lb seasoned; 4,320 lb green Official
Heat: from University of Kentucky Forestry: Comparison of Properties Affecting Firewood, which says: “Willow | 16.0 | 98 | Fair | 1944” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Weight: from Utah State University Extension Forestry (Kuhns & Schmidt): Wood Heating, Table 1 Firewood Facts, which says: “Willow | 4320 | 2540 | 17.6” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.
Yellow-poplar (tulip tree): 17.3 million Btu per cord; no weight figure we trust Official
Heat: from University of Kentucky Forestry: Comparison of Properties Affecting Firewood, which says: “Yellow-poplar | 17.3 | 83 | Good | 2096” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check matched this wood's row against the published table, cell by cell, on Nov. 9, 2026.