Green firewood is a term that often confuses newcomers to the world of fire pits and wood burning.
This type of wood, freshly cut and high in moisture content, presents unique challenges for fire enthusiasts.
Green firewood refers to freshly cut wood with high moisture content, typically over 50%. Unlike seasoned wood, it hasn’t had time to dry properly. Green firewood is characterized by its heavier weight, difficulty in ignition, and inefficient burning. It produces less heat, more smoke, and can lead to increased creosote buildup in certain types of fire pits, making it suboptimal for burning.
Understanding green firewood is crucial for both experienced users and those just starting with outdoor warming solutions.
This knowledge ensures a safe, efficient, and enjoyable fire pit experience while minimizing environmental impact.
I. What is Green Firewood?
Green firewood isn’t actually green in color (though it can be if you’re burning pine!).
The term “green” refers to wood that loggers have recently cut and that hasn’t had time to dry out properly.
When a tree is living, it’s full of sap and moisture. After it’s cut down, this moisture remains in the wood fibers.
Characteristics of green firewood include:
- High moisture content (usually over 50%)
- Heavier weight compared to seasoned wood
- Often still has bark firmly attached
- May have green leaves or needles present
Green firewood is significantly different from seasoned wood, which has been allowed to dry for several months to a year or more.
Seasoned wood has a much lower moisture content, typically around 20% or less.
II. The Science Behind Green Firewood
To truly understand green firewood, we need to delve a bit into tree biology.
Living trees transport water from their roots to their leaves through a network of cells.
This water, along with dissolved nutrients, is crucial for the tree’s survival.
When a tree is cut down, this moisture doesn’t magically disappear.
The moisture content in green wood can vary depending on the species and the time of year it was cut.
Some trees, like oaks, can have a moisture content as high as 80% when freshly cut!
This high moisture content is what makes green firewood so challenging to burn effectively.
III. Pros and Cons of Burning Green Wood
Let’s be honest: there aren’t many pros to burning green wood. But in the interest of fairness, we’ll list the few that exist:
Pros:
- It’s readily available right after cutting
- It can be cheaper to purchase than seasoned wood
Now, for the more substantial list of cons:
Cons:
- Difficult to ignite and keep burning
- Produces less heat than seasoned wood
- Creates more smoke and creosote
- Can damage your fire pit or chimney over time
- Wastes a lot of energy just evaporating moisture
IV. The Dangers of Burning Green Firewood
Burning green firewood isn’t just inefficient; it can also be dangerous.
Here’s why:
- Inefficient burning and heat output: Much of the energy produced by burning green wood goes into evaporating the moisture content rather than producing heat. This means you’ll need to burn more wood to achieve the same level of warmth.
- Increased creosote buildup: As green wood burns, it produces more smoke. This smoke contains creosote, a tarry substance that can build up in your chimney or fire pit flue. Excessive creosote buildup can lead to chimney fires.
- Potential damage to your fireplace or fire pit: The excess moisture and creosote can corrode metal components and break down masonry over time. This could lead to costly repairs or replacements.
V. How to Identify Green Firewood
Knowing how to spot green firewood can save you a lot of headaches.
Here are some tips:
- Visual cues: Green wood often has a fresher appearance. The bark is tightly attached, and the ends of the logs may look moist or have a darker color.
- Weight comparison: Green wood is significantly heavier than seasoned wood of the same size due to its higher moisture content.
- Using a moisture meter: For a precise measurement, use a wood moisture meter. Insert the prongs into the wood, and it will give you a reading. Remember, properly seasoned firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or less.
VI. From Green to Seasoned: The Drying Process
Turning green firewood into seasoned, burn-ready wood takes time and patience. Here’s how it’s done:
A. Natural air-drying methods:
- Stack the wood in a sunny, well-ventilated area
- Keep the wood off the ground using pallets or logs
- Cover the top of the stack to protect from rain, but leave the sides open for airflow
- Allow 6-12 months for most hardwoods, longer for some species
B. Accelerated drying techniques:
- Split the wood into smaller pieces to increase surface area
- Use a solar kiln or build a simple greenhouse structure around your woodpile
- Use fans to increase air circulation
The ideal moisture content for burning is between 15-20%.
This ensures easy ignition, efficient burning, and reduced fire pit smoke production.
VII. Green Firewood for Sale: Buyer Beware
You might come across green firewood for sale, often at a lower price than seasoned wood.
While it might seem like a good deal, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into.
A. Why some sellers offer green firewood:
- It’s readily available after logging or tree removal
- They can sell it immediately without waiting for it to season
- It weighs more, so they can charge by weight
B. Questions to ask before purchasing:
- When was the wood cut?
- Has it been stored properly?
- Can you check the moisture content before buying?
To avoid buying green cord wood unknowingly, always inspect the wood in person if possible.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or even bring a moisture meter with you.
Image Credit: Cutting Edge Firewood
VIII: Alternatives to Burning Green Firewood
Instead of dealing with the hassles of green firewood, consider these alternatives:
- Properly seasoned firewood: This is the gold standard for wood burning. It’s efficient, produces good heat, and minimizes smoke and creosote buildup.
- Kiln-dried firewood: This wood has been dried in a kiln to rapidly reduce moisture content. It’s ready to burn immediately but can be more expensive. Companies like Cutting Edge Firewood (Atlanta, GA) and Smoak Firewood (Senoia, GA) will deliver kiln- dried firewood to anywhere in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. <—– links go to respective firewood providers
- Manufactured firelogs: These include traditional options made from compressed sawdust and wax (Duraflame, Pine Mountain, etc.) as well as newer alternatives like coffee logs made from recycled coffee grounds (Pine Mountain Java Logs, EcoFire, etc.). They burn cleanly and are convenient, offering eco-friendly choices. However, they may lack the classic crackling ambiance of real wood fires. Check out the table below for more —>
| Manufactured Fire Log Brand/Type | Burn Time/hr. | Check out these logs at Amazon via the links below |
|---|---|---|
| Duraflame (Standard) | 3 | https://amzn.to/3ZZ8wEZ |
| Duraflame Outdoor (Food safe log) | 1 | https://amzn.to/4dIFEEa |
| Pine Mountain (Standard) | 4 | https://amzn.to/3ZZz6ho |
| Pine Mountain Roastings Logs (Food safe log) | 1 | https://amzn.to/48hE2k1 |
| Pine Mountain Java Logs (Coffee ground log) | 4 | https://amzn.to/3BHm0vi |
| EcoFire Logs (Coconut Shell Log) | 2 | https://amzn.to/4dFtkVh |
| Duraflame Every-night (Short burn time log) | 2.5 | https://amzn.to/3ZYSyuH |
| Enviro-Log (Recycled Wax Cardboard Log) | 2.5 | https://amzn.to/4dHjm63 |
IX: Tips for Dealing with Green Firewood
If you find yourself with green firewood, don’t despair. Here are some tips to make the best of the situation:
A. Proper storage techniques:
- Stack the wood in a single row out in the open for maximum air exposure
- Use a sturdy rack or pallets to keep the wood off the ground
- Cover only the top of the pile to allow for air circulation
B. Mixing green and seasoned wood:
- If you must burn green wood, mix it with well-seasoned wood in a ratio of about 1:3 (green:seasoned)
- Start your fire with the seasoned wood and add green wood gradually
C. Using green firewood for outdoor fire pits:
- While not ideal, green wood is less problematic in outdoor settings
- Be prepared for more smoke and less heat
- Keep your fire small and well-ventilated
X. Environmental Impact of Burning Green Firewood
Burning green firewood isn’t just inefficient; it’s also worse for the environment:
- Increased smoke and particulate matter: Green wood produces more smoke, which can contribute to air pollution and respiratory issues.
- Lower efficiency and higher wood consumption: Because green wood burns inefficiently, you’ll need to use more of it to achieve the same heat output as seasoned wood. This means cutting down more trees.
- Sustainable firewood practices: Using properly seasoned wood is part of responsible forest management. Using seasoned wood maximizes heat output per tree harvested, reducing overall environmental impact.
XI. Wrap-up: What is Green Firewood?
Green firewood might seem like a good deal at first glance, but the drawbacks far outweigh any potential benefits.
From reduced heat output and increased smoke to potential damage to your fire pit or chimney, burning green wood is simply not worth the risk.
Instead, opt for properly seasoned firewood or explore alternatives like kiln-dried wood or manufactured logs.
If you do end up with green firewood, be patient and allow it to season properly before burning.
Your fire pit, your lungs, and the environment will thank you.
Remember, the key to a great fire pit experience is using the right fuel.
By understanding what green firewood is and why it’s best avoided, you’re well on your way to becoming a fire pit master.
So go ahead, gather around your fire pit with friends and family, and enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a well-built fire – just make sure you’re using seasoned wood!
XII. FAQs: What is Green Firewood?
The best low-smoke firewood types for fire pits are hardwoods, known for their clean burning properties and high heat output.
These include:
Oak (especially Red or White Oak): A classic choice that burns hot and long with minimal smoke.
Maple (particularly Sugar Maple): Produces a steady, low-smoke flame.
Ash (notably Black Ash): Known for its naturally low moisture content, it is one of the best low-smoke options available.
Locust (specifically Black Locust): Burns exceptionally hot with minimal smoke and produces long-lasting coals.
Hickory (such as Shagbark Hickory): Dense and slow-burning, it’s an excellent low-smoke choice.
Beech (especially Blue Beech): Often overlooked but one of the best options for a long-lasting, low-smoke fire.
These hardwoods, when properly seasoned, provide an optimal balance of heat output and minimal smoke production, making them ideal for use in fire pits where a clean, efficient burn is desired.
While no wood burns efficiently when green, some types are slightly less problematic than others when burned in their unseasoned state.
Softwoods like pine, spruce, and fir generally have lower initial moisture content and dry faster than dense hardwoods, potentially making them marginally easier to burn when green.
However, this comes with significant caveats. Softwoods, even when seasoned, produce less heat and more creosote than hardwoods, issues that are exacerbated when the wood is green.
Hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory, while extremely difficult to burn when green due to their high moisture content, will eventually provide more heat and a longer burn time once they’re dry.
Some species with naturally lower moisture content, like ash or juniper, might be slightly more forgiving when green, but they still won’t burn efficiently.
Ultimately, the key takeaway is that no type of wood burns well when green, and the minimal differences between species when unseasoned are far outweighed by the overall poor performance and potential risks associated with burning any green firewood.
While firewood doesn’t necessarily have an expiration date, it can indeed get too old to burn effectively in a fire pit if not stored properly.
The primary concern with aged firewood is moisture reabsorption and decomposition.
If firewood is left exposed to the elements, particularly in damp conditions, it can reabsorb moisture over time, making it less efficient to burn.
Additionally, prolonged exposure can lead to rot, fungal growth, and insect infestation, affecting the wood’s burning quality and potentially introducing pests to your fire pit area.
Wood that has begun to decompose will produce less heat and more smoke when burned.
However, if stored correctly – kept off the ground, properly stacked, and protected from rain and snow while still allowing for air circulation – firewood can last for several years without significant degradation in quality.
In fact, some hardwoods might even benefit from extra seasoning time, becoming drier and more efficient to burn.
The key is proper storage: well-maintained firewood can remain viable for 3-5 years or even longer, while poorly stored wood might become problematic within a single season.
