Not All Firewood Is Equal

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If you're making decisions about woodlots, keep in mind that some types of wood burn better than others.

The following are heat values (in million BTUs) per cord for various species of trees. The higher the value, the "better" the wood.

Ash, Green 22.8

Cottonwood 15.9

Elm, American 19.8 Difficult to split

Elm, Red 20.6 Difficult to split

Elm, Siberian 20.9 Difficult to split

Hackberry 21.0

Honeylocust 25.6

Locust, Black 28.3 Difficult to split

Maple, Sugar 24.0

Maple, Silver 18.9

Mulberry 25.3

Oak, Red 24.0

Oak, Bur 24.9

Oak, Post 25.6

Osage Orange (Hedge) 32.6 Sparks; do not use in open fireplace

Sycamore 19.5 Difficult to split

Walnut, Black 21.8

For more information read the Kansas Forest Service publication Managing Your Woodland for Firewood.

Also check out Making Good Choices About Firewood.

Contact Us

Amy Keigher

Natural Resources Agent
amy.keigher@jocogov.org
913-715-7000