The best firewood and how to properly store it

As the crisp, cool air of fall settles in across North Georgia, there's nothing quite like gathering around a warm, crackling fire to enjoy the cozy ambiance it provides. Whether you're planning to spend a peaceful evening by your fireplace or a weekend by the fire pit, choosing the right firewood and knowing how to properly store it is essential for a safe, efficient burn. At North Georgia Stump Removal, we understand the importance of good firewood, so we've put together this guide on the best firewood options and storage tips to help you make the most of your fires this season.

What Makes the Best Firewood?

Not all firewood is created equal. The best firewood for your needs will depend on how quickly you want the fire to start, how long you need it to burn, and whether you're burning indoors or outdoors. Here are some of the best types of firewood to consider:

1. Oak: The King of Firewood

Oak is often considered the best hardwood for firewood due to its dense composition. It burns slowly and steadily, producing a lot of heat, and is great for both indoor and outdoor fires. Oak burns hot, which means it generates less smoke and is easier on your chimney or fire pit. It’s the ideal choice if you're looking for long-lasting burns.

Pros: Long burn time, high heat output, minimal smoke Cons: Takes longer to season (dry out)

2. Hickory: The Flavorful Option

Hickory is another premium firewood that burns hot and provides a rich, smoky aroma, making it popular for outdoor cooking, especially barbecuing and smoking meats. It produces a lot of heat and is perfect for getting a roaring fire going quickly.

Pros: High heat output, great for cooking, distinctive aroma Cons: Hard to split due to its density

3. Cherry: The Fragrant Favorite

Cherry wood is not only beautiful to look at, with its reddish-brown tones, but it also burns relatively quickly and produces a delightful, mild aroma. It's perfect for those who want a fire with a pleasant fragrance. While it doesn’t burn as long as oak or hickory, it’s a great choice for a cozy, aromatic fire.

Pros: Pleasant fragrance, moderate burn time Cons: Burns faster than denser hardwoods

4. Maple: The Balanced Burner

Maple is another hardwood that strikes a good balance between heat output, burn time, and ease of splitting. It’s an excellent all-around choice for a firewood supply, whether you’re using it for indoor or outdoor burning. It burns at a moderate rate and gives off a steady, moderate heat.

Pros: Easy to split, moderate burn time, good heat output Cons: Slightly lower heat output compared to oak and hickory

5. Pine: The Quick-Burner

While softwoods like pine burn quickly and don’t produce as much heat as hardwoods, they can be useful for kindling or when you need a fire to start quickly. Pine produces a lot of sparks, which can be a concern if you're burning it indoors, so it's best used outdoors or with caution inside.

Pros: Easy to split, quick to ignite Cons: Burns quickly, produces a lot of sap and smoke

How to Properly Store Firewood

Once you've selected the best firewood for your needs, the next step is to store it properly. Storing firewood the right way helps ensure that your wood stays dry, easy to use, and ready to burn when you need it. Here are some tips for optimal firewood storage:

1. Keep Firewood Off the Ground

The first step to storing firewood is keeping it off the ground. This helps prevent moisture from seeping into the wood, which can lead to rot or mold growth. Use a firewood rack or stack your wood on pallets, and avoid placing it directly on soil, grass, or gravel.

2. Stack Wood in a Well-Ventilated Area

To promote airflow and encourage the drying (seasoning) process, store your firewood in a well-ventilated area. If you’re stacking your wood outside, try to keep it away from any walls or structures that could block airflow. Ideally, your wood should be stacked in rows, with each row perpendicular to the next.

3. Cover the Top, But Not the Sides

To keep rain and snow from soaking your firewood, cover the top of your stack with a tarp or a specially designed firewood cover. However, don’t cover the sides—airflow is crucial for keeping your firewood dry. A breathable tarp is ideal because it allows moisture to escape while protecting the wood from the elements.

4. Season Your Wood

Freshly cut wood is "green" and has too much moisture content to burn efficiently. To get the best burn, firewood should be seasoned (dried out) for at least 6 months, and in some cases, up to a year or longer, depending on the type of wood. Stack your firewood in a way that allows it to dry naturally over time, ideally in a sunny spot with good airflow.

5. Store Firewood Away from Your Home

While it might be tempting to store firewood close to your home for convenience, it's best to keep it at least 20 feet away from the house. Storing firewood too close to your home can attract pests like termites, ants, and rodents, and it can increase the risk of fire hazards, especially if your woodpile is not properly seasoned.

6. Use the “First In, First Out” Method

If you have a large stockpile of firewood, practice the "first in, first out" method—use the oldest wood first to ensure that you are burning the well-seasoned, dry wood before it gets too old and starts to deteriorate.

Conclusion: Firewood for Every Season

No matter what type of firewood you choose—be it the long-burning oak, the smoky hickory, or the fragrant cherry—having the right wood and storing it properly is key to a successful fire. At North Georgia Stump Removal, we know that firewood can make or break your experience, so we take the time to provide top-notch, seasoned wood that is perfect for your heating, cooking, or recreational needs.

Remember to stack your wood safely, store it in a dry, well-ventilated area, and allow it to season fully so that you can enjoy a warm, crackling fire whenever you need it. Whether you're roasting marshmallows by the fire pit or warm