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Types of Wood for Fuel

Comprehensive guide to different wood types, their burning properties, heat output, and best uses for home heating and cooking.

Hardwood

Dense, long-burning woods with high heat output

Softwood

Faster-burning woods, great for kindling and quick heat

Fruitwood

Premium woods with excellent burning properties and aroma

Oak

Oak

Premium hardwood with excellent burning properties

Heat Output:High
Burn Time:Long
Price:£180-220 per ton
Best for:

Long winter nights, high heat output

Characteristics:
  • Dense and heavy
  • Slow burning
  • High heat output
  • Produces good coals
Beech

Beech

Excellent burning wood with good heat output

Heat Output:High
Burn Time:Long
Price:£160-200 per ton
Best for:

General heating, cooking

Characteristics:
  • Clean burning
  • Good heat output
  • Long burn time
  • Minimal smoke
Ash

Ash

Versatile wood that burns well even when green

Heat Output:High
Burn Time:Medium-Long
Price:£150-190 per ton
Best for:

Immediate use, good all-rounder

Characteristics:
  • Burns when green
  • Good heat output
  • Easy to split
  • Clean burning
Birch

Birch

Fast-burning wood with good heat output

Heat Output:Medium-High
Burn Time:Medium
Price:£140-180 per ton
Best for:

Quick heat, kindling

Characteristics:
  • Fast burning
  • Good heat output
  • Easy to light
  • Good for kindling

Wood Selection Guide

For High Heat Output

  • Oak: Best for long winter nights
  • Beech: Excellent all-round hardwood
  • Apple: Premium choice for cooking

For Quick Heat

  • Birch: Fast burning with good heat
  • Pine: Quick ignition and heat
  • Spruce: Lightweight and fast

Storage and Preparation Tips

Proper Storage

  • • Store wood off the ground on pallets or racks
  • • Keep wood covered but allow air circulation
  • • Stack wood loosely for better drying
  • • Store in a dry, well-ventilated area
  • • Allow 6-12 months for proper seasoning

Preparation

  • • Split wood to appropriate sizes for your stove
  • • Ensure wood is properly seasoned (moisture < 20%)
  • • Store kindling separately for easy access
  • • Mix different wood types for optimal burning
  • • Keep a variety of sizes for different needs

Environmental Considerations

Sustainable Sourcing

Choose wood from sustainably managed forests and local suppliers to reduce environmental impact.

Carbon Neutral

Wood is a renewable resource that releases the same amount of CO2 it absorbed during growth.

Efficient Burning

Use properly seasoned wood and efficient stoves to maximize heat output and minimize emissions.