Firewood Toronto

F.A.Q. by UNIVERSITY FIREWOOD

Firewood Toronto - Renewal

Firewood is a renewable resource, provided the consumption rate is controlled to sustainable levels. Proper forestry practices applied to firewood allow the usage of a carbon-neutral, or even carbon-negative, energy source, since the carbon dioxide released by the burning of the firewood was previously absorbed from the ambient atmosphere through photosynthesis. As a result, firewood can be considered to be a form of solar energy.

Firewood Toronto

Types of Wood...
Firewood can be either Hardwood (Deciduous Trees such as Apple, Birch, Cherry, Maple, Oak or Walnut) or Softwood (Conifers such as Fir, Hemlock, Pine or Spruce). Hardwoods burn much longer and tend to have a far higher heating value than softwoods. The densest Hardwoods--Beech, certain Maples, Hickory and Oak--produce the greatest heat, with an output of approximately 30% more BTU's (the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1lb of water 1° F) than other Hardwoods and about 50% more BTU's than most Softwoods.

Seasoned Wood Toronto

The Importance of Seasoning...
Whichever type of Firewood you choose, make certain that it has been properly seasoned. If you burn Wet or 'green' wood, you will use up thousands of BTUs heating up the moisture in the wood before it even begins to burn. Not only will this result in heat loss; you will also run the risk of having your chimney coated with "creosote". A buildup of creosote in your chimney is dangerous, since it can ignite and cause an intense fire in the chimney as it burns itself off. This will necessitate more frequent chimney cleanings and may cause exensive damage to your chimney. Many homes have burned to the ground as a result of creosete chimney fires. In short, then, buying green wood for immediate use is not a good value - even if it is less expensive than a cord of seasoned wood.

FIREWOOD GUIDE - BTU RATING CHART
Type of Wood
Heat
Output
Heavy Smoke
BTU's
per Cord
Rating
Hard Maple
High
No
29.7
Excellent
Red Oak
High
No
21.7
Excellent
White Oak
High
No
26.5
Excellent
Beech
High
No
21.8
Excellent
Birch
High
No
21.3
Excellent
Hickory
High
No
30.8
Excellent
Apple
Medium
No
19.6
Good
Cherry
Medium
No
18.5
Good
Ash
High
No
25.9
Excellent
Pecan
High
No
 
Excellent
Dogwood
High
No
24.3
Excellent
Soft Maple
Medium
No
19.1
Good
Walnut
Medium
No
20.3
Good
Elm
Medium
Medium
23.8
Fair
Sycamore
Medium
Medium
18.5
Fair
Gum
Medium
Medium
18.1
Fair
Mesquite
High
Medium
 
Good
Aspen
Low
Medium
14.5
Fair
Basswood
Low
Medium
12.6
Fair
Cottonwood
Low
Yes
12.2
Fair
Yellow Poplar
Low
Medium
16.0
Poor
S. Yellow Pine
High
Yes
 
Good
Douglas Fir
High
Yes
21.4
Good
Cypress
Medium
Yes
 
Fair
Redwood
Medium
Yes
 
Fair
White Cedar
Medium
Yes
17.5
Good
W. Red Cedar
Medium
Yes
17.5
Good
E. Red Cedar
Medium
Yes
17.5
Good
Juniper
Medium
Yes
 
Good
E. White Pine
Low
Yes
15.8
Fair
W. White Pine
Low
Yes
15.8
Fair
Sugar Pine
Low
Yes
15.8
Fair
Ponderosa Pine
Low
Yes
17.0
Fair
True Firs
Low
Yes
19.5
Fair
Tamarack
Medium
Yes
20.8
Fair
Spruce
Low
Yes
15.9
Poor
Alder
Medium
Yes
17.6
Fair
Ironwood (Hornbeam)
Very High
No
24.7
Excellent
Black Locust
Very High
No
26.5
Excellent
Willow
Low
Yes
14.5
Fair