What you need to know before ordering.
Not All Wood Is Alike!
There are loads of different tree species which means each is very different in its wood characteristics. Wood is broken down into two main classifications, Hardwood and Softwood. Hardwoods are angiosperms. Angiosperm is a scientific name for plants that flower. All hardwood trees flower and encase their seeds in fruits (like apples and acorns). Hardwoods are also deciduous meaning they have a seasonal lifecycle. They lose their leaves in the fall and go dormant in the winter. Their leaves are mostly flat and broad. Because hardwoods grow slowly, they tend to be denser than softwoods and therefore better for producing heat when burning.
Softwoods are gymnosperms which means they are non-flowering. Their seeds are found in cones. Softwoods are typically coniferous trees, sometimes called evergreens. They have needle-like or scale-like leaves that do not shed during the winter. Because they grow quickly, they tend to be less dense. Colder climates, like Canada, are ideal for softwood growth.
There are some softwoods that are denser than some hardwoods. However, generally speaking, hardwoods are denser.
Usually, hardwoods are regarded as better firewood because they are dense, they burn longer and produce more heat than softwoods. Hardwood fires also burn cleaner. That is, they produce less smoke and spark which is great for in-home burning.
Burning Wood and What You Can Expect.
Burning firewood comes down to two factors: density and water content. The denser and drier the firewood, the better it will burn and the more heat it can produce. The optimal range of moisture content for burning firewood is below 20%. Firewood that is below 20% moisture content is described as Seasoned Firewood and is ready to be burned. Any firewood that is above 20% moisture content is described as Greenwood and needs to be dried before burning.
What can you expect to be delivered to your home? Firewood 4 U only provides split hardwoods for in-home burning. In our local PA deciduous forests we have White Oak, Red Oak, Ash, Maple, Birch, Cherry, Apple, Beech, Hickory and a few others.
Measuring Firewood.
Firewood is measured in a couple different manners but the universal method is in Cords. A cord is the amount of wood that, when "racked and well stowed" (arranged so pieces are aligned, parallel, touching and compact), occupies a volume of 128 cubic feet. This equates to a well-stacked woodpile 4 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. Wood stored outside will need to be covered to keep rain & snow off. We suggest only covering the top and little way down the sides so air can still circulate and keep the wood dry.