Comparison of Properties Affecting Firewood

Species	Heat Content Per Cord Million BTU 20% MC	Moisture Content Living Tree	Splitting	Weight Lbs / Cord
Osage-orange	30.5	--	Fair	3688
Hickory	29.3	70	Good	3560
Black locust	28.3	55	Good	3440
White oak	27.9	64	Good	3392
Bur oak	26.3	65	Good	3192
Beech	26.3	55	Good	3144
Sugar maple	25.9	65	Good	3144
Pin oak	25.9	83	Fair	3144
Red oak	25.9	80	Fair	3144
White ash	24.6	45	Excellent	2992
Honey locust	24.6	--	Fair	2992
Blue ash	23.8	45	Excellent	2896
Black walnut	22.6	90	Excellent	2744
Hackberry	21.7	61	Good	2640
Slippery elm	21.7	66	Poor	2640
Sweetgum	21.3	79	Fair	2592
Virginia pine	20.7	32	Good	2400
Black cherry	20.5	58	Good	2496
American elm	20.5	95	Poor	2496
Sycamore	20.2	114	Poor	2448
Red-cedar	20.2	33	Fair	2344
Silver maple	19.3	58	Good	2344
Sassafras	18.9	--	Good	2296
Yellow-poplar	17.3	83	Good	2096
Hemlock	17.3	97	Excellent	2000
Willow	16.0	98	Fair	1944
Basswood	15.2	81	Excellent	1848
White pine	15.0	62	Good	1744

This table shows those variables that should be evaluated when purchasing firewood. All firewood should be obtained, stacked and air dried at least six months prior to burning. Those species shown at the top of the list are the better woods to obtain – more wood content per unit volume. Firewood will have to be split for best results. Please notice those species with POOR splitting ability. These should be avoided. Those species toward the bottom of the list, when properly dried, will burn very fast. Many people will obtain a small supply of these woods to help in initially igniting a fire.