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Firewood BTU Chart

This handy firewood BTU chart lists wood types alphabetically along with their heat output values.

Plus, you’ll find helpful ratings for smoke levels, sparking tendencies, and seasoning time for each variety.

With this info, you can easily choose the best burning firewood for your specific fire needs!

Fire Pit Firewood BTU Chart

Compare heat output, smoke levels, and seasoning times

Click on any highlighted wood type to view a detailed profile covering characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses for fire pit use.

Softwoods (conifers like pine, fir, cedar) are displayed in italics. These burn faster and are ideal for kindling and quick fires.
Wood Type BTUs (per cord) Excessive Smoke Sparking Seasoning Time
Osage Orange 32.8 million No Very High 12-18 months
Mesquite 30.0 million Low Very Low 18-24 months
Locust (Black) 29.3 million No Low 12-24 months
Oak (White) 29.1 million No Low 18-24 months
Hickory (Shagbark) 29.0 million No Moderate 12-18 months
Oak (Post) 28.9 million No Low 18-24 months
Oak (Chestnut) 28.8 million No Low 18-24 months
Ironwood 28.7 million No Low 12-18 months
Hickory (Pignut) 28.6 million No Moderate 12-18 months
Oak (Bur) 28.5 million No Low 18-24 months
Oak (Black) 28.4 million No Low 12-24 months
Hickory (Mockernut) 28.2 million No Moderate 12-18 months
Eucalyptus 28.2 million No High 6-18 months
Pecan 28.0 million Very Low Very Low 12-18 months
Peach 28.0 million No Low 12 months
Beech (American) 27.8 million No Low 12-18 months
Almond 27.5 million No Low 6-12 months
Maple (Sugar) 27.3 million No Low 12-18 months
Olive 27.0 million Very Low Very Low 18-24+ months
Apple 27.0 million No Low 6-18 months
Locust (Honey) 26.7 million No Low 12-18 months
Ash (White) 25.7 million No Low 12-18 months
Mulberry 25.5 million Very Low Very Low 12-18 months
Ash (Black) 25.2 million No Low 6-12 months
Dogwood 24.8 million No Low 12 months
Apricot 24.8 million No Low 12 months
Maple (Red) 24.0 million No Low 12-18 months
Birch (Yellow) 23.6 million Moderate Low 6-12 months
Oak (Red) 23.4 million No Low 12-24 months
Birch (Black) 22.8 million Moderate Low 6-12 months
Walnut 22.2 million No Low 12 months
Avocado 22.0 million Low-Moderate Low 6-12 months
Juniper 21.6 million Yes Moderate 6-12 months
Elm (American) 21.0 million Moderate Low 12-18 months
Tamarack 20.9 million Low-Moderate Moderate 6-12 months
Birch (White) 20.8 million Moderate Low 6-12 months
Cherry 20.4 million No Low 6-12 months
Madrone 19.8 million Moderate Low 12 months
Fir (Douglas) 19.5 million Low-Moderate Moderate-High 6-12 months
Maple (Silver) 19.0 million No Low 6-12 months
Pine (Ponderosa) 16.4 million Moderate High 6-9 months
Piñon 16.2 million No Moderate 6-12 months
Pine (Lodgepole) 16.1 million Moderate-High High 6-12 months
Poplar (Eastern) 14.7 million Yes Low 6-12 months
Poplar (Yellow) 14.5 million Moderate Low 6-12 months
Aspen 14.3 million Yes Very Low 6-12 months
Poplar (Balsam) 14.3 million Yes Low 6-12 months
Cedar (Northern White) 14.2 million No High 6-9 months
Eastern Cottonwood 14.1 million Yes Low 6-12 months
Cedar (Western Red) 14.0 million No High 6-9 months
Cedar (Eastern Red) 13.8 million No High 6-9 months
Note: BTU values and characteristics can vary based on moisture content, wood density, and growing conditions. Always consult with your local firewood supplier for region-specific recommendations. For additional guidance, contact your state agricultural cooperative extension office.
Learn More: For detailed tips on selecting and buying firewood, check out our comprehensive Firewood Buyer’s Guide.

As with all firewood, the actual BTU values and burning characteristics can vary based on factors like local growing conditions, how well the wood is seasoned, and storage conditions. For that, and more firewood related content, check out our firewood page for all of our fire pit firewood related content.

References

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