The best firewood to burn: A user’s guide

Different types of firewood burn at varying rates, producing different amounts of smoke and emitting distinct aromas. When looking for good firewood, consider these key properties:

• Dryness: The drier the better. After a tree is cut down and chopped into firewood, it needs to dry out, or “season,” for about a year. Drier wood is easier to light. Plus, it burns hotter and cleaner, producing less soot and creosote to accumulate in your chimney.
• Density: High density is better than low density. Denser woods burn hotter, slower and steadier, leading to a more consistent temperature and less maintenance.
• Resin content: Low resin is preferable. High-resin wood produces more smoke and sparks as the resin pockets heat up.  
• Aroma: Some species of wood, like cherry or apple, are prized for their distinct, sweet aroma that can lend a lot of ambiance to your fire. They’re also great ways to flavor grilled or smoked food.

Properly split wood seasons better and burns more evenly and efficiently. When preparing firewood, freshly felled trees are cut into rounds or logs -- quick work with a modern chainsaw. These rounds are then split with an axe and left to season to help the wood dry properly for optimal burning. Here are some tips to help you split your firewood:

• Preparation: Refer to your equipment’s owner’s manual to understand the proper use and recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Use the right tool: Axes are better for smaller logs and a heavier splitting maul for larger ones.
• Split along the grain: Split along the grain, aiming for cracks or knots in the wood.
• Use a splitting wedge: For especially tough logs, use a splitting wedge and a sledgehammer to gradually split the wood.
• Use a water-resistant log tote: A water-resistant log tote makes transporting your wood easier and protects it from moisture.

Firewood can be classified as either hardwood or softwood. Hardwoods are denser and stronger than softwoods, making hardwood the preferable choice. They also generally contain less resin, resulting in cleaner fires.

Interestingly, it’s not the wood’s hardness, but the genes that classify it as one or the other. Hardwood comes from flowering trees with broad leaves that typically shed in the fall and are more abundant in temperate areas with deciduous forests. On the other hand, comes from evergreen trees that reproduce with needles and cones. These tend to be  more prevalent in northern regions with colder climates, or at high elevations.

The best wood for fireplaces is the kind that offers a longer burn time, consistent heat and minimal smoke. That calls for dense hardwood with a low resin content that has been split and seasoned -- bonus if it has a scent. Hickory, maple and oak are the most common for fireplaces.  

• Hickory: Hickory is one of the densest woods, known for its high heat output and earthy, slightly sweet aroma. It's a popular choice not only for fireplaces but also for smoking meat, thanks to its distinct flavor.
• Maple: Often considered one of the best woods for a fireplace, maple is known for its sweet, signature scent and reliable burn. Its density provides a steady, long-lasting fire, making it a popular choice for many homeowners.
• Oak: Oak is renowned for its high heat and slow, consistent burn, making it a reliable, easy-to-manage choice for fireplaces.

Choosing the best wood for a campfire calls for something that is easy to start, plus steady heat and minimal smoke. The best wood often includes a mix of softwoods, which ignite quickly, and hardwoods, which provide a sustained, clean burn. Some of the best woods for a campfire are:

• Cedar: A favorite for campfires due to its quick ignition and distinct aroma, cedar also burns hot. However, because it burns quickly, it’s most effective when paired with a longer-lasting hardwood. Bonus, cedar acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
• Pine: Another softwood that lights easily and burns brightly, pine is well-suited for getting a campfire started. However, its higher resin content can produce a lot of smoke, so it’s best used to ignite the fire rather than sustain it.
• Birch: A versatile choice, birch burns quickly for a hardwood but lasts longer than most softwoods. Its bark is highly flammable, making it great for starting fires. Birch is great for brief campfires, or when paired with another hardwood for a longer burn. 

The hottest burning woods are typically the densest hardwoods, namely oak, hickory and Osage orange. These woods are ideal for generating intense heat, making them excellent for cooking over campfires or staying warm in cold weather.

• Oak: Oak burns hot and consistent, but without much of a scent.
• Hickory: Known for its intense heat and long burn time, hickory burns hotter than many other woods. Its strong flame and unique aroma make it a favorite for both heating and cooking.
• Osage orange: Often cited as the hottest burning wood available, Osage orange produces intense heat. However, its toughness can make it challenging to split.

The distinct aromas of different firewood come from their unique blends of sap, essential oils and organic compounds. Certain woods may be chosen specifically for their pleasing scents to help enhance ambiance, flavor food and even provide aromatherapy. Here are some of the best-smelling firewood options:

• Apple: With its sweet and fruity aroma, apple is a favorite for summer BBQs after orchard pruning season. 
• Cherry: Cherry wood emits a mild, sweet fragrance and burns cleanly, making it a good wood for a fireplace or wood stove. 
• Hickory: A staple of southern BBQ with a strong and earthy aroma, hickory is one of the best hardwoods to burn for heating or cooking.