• Topics: School of Forest Resources and Conservation  | Fuel Wood  | Flinchum, D Mitchell 

Selecting Firewood¹

When you first consider the use of wood as a source of heat you should investigate the local availability of firewood and its cost. There are plenty of trees in Florida to satisfy the demand for firewood for many years at present or projected use. Local availability could be a minor problem in the larger cities but tree service companies presently have a surplus of wood suitable for fuel.

Measurements

Whether you buy or gather your own firewood, you will likely have a choice from among the many species of trees grown in the state. Pound for pound all wood burns about the same. A pound of good dry hardwood will produce about 8600 B.T.U.s of heat energy when burned. Because of high resin content, some pine wood may produce over 9000 B.T.U.s. Hardwood and some tropical woods are denser than pine, and on a volume basis contain more heat value.

Wood is almost always sold on a volume basis; that is, by the standard cord, load, rick or face cord. Since the 'cord' measure is rather loosely applied you should determine what the seller means before you purchase. A standard cord contains 128 cubic feet of stacked wood and is assumed to be a stack of logs or bolts 4 feet x 4 feet x 8 feet ( Figure 1 .)

Figure 1 . 

Firewood is usually purchased already split and cut to fit a fireplace or a stove of certain dimensions. Commonly the sticks are 2 feet or less in length. A stack of firewood 4 feet high and 8 feet long is called a face cord. The cubic foot volume of a face cord is determined by the length of the stick. A face cord of firewood cut 2 feet long contains only one-half of the volume of a standard cord. A rick is usually assumed to be the same as a face cord. A load can mean anything, and depends on the size of the conveyance, whether the wood is split or round, whether the wood is stacked or 'thrown' in, and how high it is piled.

It has been suggested that weight would be a better measure for firewood, but all wood contains some water. Freshly cut green wood will contain more water than seasoned or dry wood. Seasoned wood may contain only 20 percent water. Purchasing by weight could mean that you are paying for unwanted water.

Species

Florida has a large number of native trees and many introduced species. All have some potential for firewood. There are 16.5 million acres of forest land in Florida. Of this area about 15 million acres are sufficiently stocked with salable trees to be called commercial. On commercial forest land there are an estimated 4 billion hardwood trees. This does not include street, shade and park trees in cities nor those scrub oak lands not considered commercial.

Although there are differences in wood density, some species are similar enough to be grouped together. These are listed below. Species with high-density wood are:

• Live Oak

• Red oaks (including water and scrub oaks)

• White oaks

• Hickory

• Hophornbean

• Blue Beech

• Dogwood

• Eucalyptus

• Australian Pine (Casurina)

Species with medium-density wood are:

• Beech

• Cherry

• Ash

• Sycamore

• Elm

• Magnolia

• Gums

• Red Maple

Species with low-density wood:

• Willow

• Cottonwood

• Tulip poplar

Since the denser (heavier) woods have the highest energy values you should choose from the high-density group if they are available in your area. Density is onlv one consideration, however, since some woods are difficult or almost impossible to split. Others are difficult to dry and store. Some have unpleasant odors, and some just don't burn well.

Personal preference plays an important part in choice of firewood. Oaks, hickories and ash are usually preferred. Live oak is one of the heavier woods. It burns well, stores well and is widely distributed, but it is somewhat difficult to split. Red oaks are plentiful and easy to split. They often have a sour odor when freshly cut. Ash has often been called the best firewood. Blackjack and other scrub oaks are preferred by some almost to the exclusion of other woods. Soft maple is available on wet sites as far south as Collier County.

The gums, in general, are difficult to split and store. Some hickories can be split without too much difficulty but pecan, which is a hickory, is difficult to split. Other difficult-to-split species are persimmon, elm and sycamore and some of the tropical woods. If possible, cut only trees small enough to be used as round or chunk wood. Wood formed at the base of limbs or in forks is usually difficult to break apart. Sometimes you can split off exterior parts and saw up the remainder into pieces that can be fit into a fireplace or stove.

Where to Obtain Firewood

Public Agencies

Firewood is advertised for sale in most areas of the state. Tree service companies usually have wood for sale year-round. Seasonally the want ads usually list a number of distributors. If you cut your own firewood but do not own a wood lot, you will find dead and down, and often green, trees available in the National Forests. A permit may be obtained during working hours at U.S. Forest Service District offices. Wood may also be available to local people on state land on a permit basis. You should contact the local Florida Division of Forestry county forester. Counties and municipalities sometimes set aside wood suitable for firewood at landfills or other designated areas. Usually access is limited to cars and pickups, and resale of wood is discouraged. Your county agricultural Extension agent or county forester will have information on this.

Pulp and paper companies usually carry out site preparation activities on land to be planted. Often this involves the removal of standing nonmarketable hardwoods which are bulldozed into windrows and burned. Usually company policy allows the forester in charge of the clearing operation to give this wood to neighboring homeowners. It is wise to contact the nearest company field office for times and location of clearing operations. Gathering firewood before it is windrowed is much easier than afterwards, and it saves the tractor operator the job of moving the material.

Opportunity Wood

Wood is often available for short periods of time from developers who clear for roads, houses and utilities. Usually developers welcome people who are serious about hauling away wood, as long as no liability is assumed by the developer. Proper timing is important and sometimes the weekend wood cutter is at a disadvantage.

Dead, damaged and diseased trees along city streets are commonly felled and bucked by city crews but left for removal at the owner's expense. This wood is often available to the entrepreneur who is willing to sacrifice an afternoon or weekend. Utility companies trim trees along rights-of-way which sometimes produce a good supply of wood available to an alert public.

When gathering wood, always remember to respect property belonging to others. Be particularly careful of gates, fences and roads. When felling trees, watch for any tree or structure which might be damaged. Of course, always have the owner's permission. Respect for others may gain you an invitation to return.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.

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