A log splitter's guide to wood

People often ask which woods are more efficient for splitting and burning?

 

Hardwood is, in the main, preferred over softwood for wood burners, stoves or fires because it creates less smoke and burns for longer.

However, in general, the woods highly recommended for firewood, taking into account ease of splitting as well as all round flammability are Ash, Birch, and Beech.

 

Here is a rough, alphabetical guide to some of the main woods and their burning qualities. 

• Alder. Poor.

• Apple. Good. Needs good seasoning, Burns well. Pleasant smell. No sparking or spitting.

• Ash. One of the best for firewood. Burns green but best when seasoned.
  Steady burner. Can be split very easily.

• Beech. Good. Needs good seasoning.

• Birch. Very good. Can burn unseasoned. Fast burner.

• Cedar. Good. Burns well. Pleasant smell. Good, lasting heat. No spitting.
  Small pieces burn unseasoned.

• Cherry. Good. Needs good. Burns well. Pleasant smell. No spitting.

• Elm. Good. Needs very good seasoning. Lasting heat. Slow burner.
  Larger Elm logs are tough to split.

• Hawthorn. Good. Burns well.

• Hazel. Excellent. Do season. Fast burner. No spitting.

• Holly. Good. Can be burnt green.

• Horse Chestnut. Poor.

• Larch. OK. Needs good seasoning. Spits a lot. Creates greasy soot.

• Lime. Poor.

• Oak. Excellent. Lasting heat. Slow burner.

• Pear. Good. Needs good seasoning. Burns well. Pleasant smell no spitting.

• Pine. OK. Needs good seasoning. Spits creates greasy soot

• Plane. OK.

• Poplar. Poor.

• Rowan. Good. Burns well.

• Spruce. Poor.

• Sycamore. Good.

• Walnut. Poor

• Yew. OK