Best Wood Types for Your Wood Burner: A Complete Guide

Not all firewood is created equal. Different tree species have varying densities, moisture levels, and burning characteristics. Choosing the right wood for your wood burner can make a significant difference to heat output, burn time, and overall efficiency.

Hardwoods vs Softwoods

Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in winter) and are generally denser, meaning they burn longer and produce more heat per log. They're ideal for wood burners and open fires where you want sustained warmth.

Softwoods come from coniferous trees (evergreens) and are less dense. They ignite quickly and burn faster, making them excellent for kindling or for quick, intense heat. However, they contain more resin, which can lead to tar buildup if used exclusively.

The Best Hardwoods for Burning

Ash

Often considered the king of firewood, ash has several advantages:

• Can be burned whilst relatively fresh (though kiln-dried is still superior)
• Excellent heat output
• Burns steadily with a good flame
• Low smoke production
• Easy to split

Ash is widely available in North Wales and is our most popular hardwood at NW Logs.

Oak

The heavyweight champion of firewood:

• Very high heat output
• Long burn time
• Dense and slow-burning
• Excellent for overnight burns
• Must be well-dried (high tannin content)

Oak is superb for extended heating but benefits greatly from kiln-drying to remove its naturally high moisture content.

Beech

A premium choice for wood burners:

• Comparable to ash in heat output
• Attractive flame
• Pleasant aroma
• Burns cleanly with minimal sparking
• Slightly harder to source but worth it

Birch

The beautiful burner:

• Good heat output (slightly less than ash or beech)
• Excellent flame with attractive appearance
• Pleasant smell
• Burns relatively quickly
• Distinctive silver bark makes it visually appealing

Birch is particularly good for open fires where you want an attractive flame, though it works well in stoves too.

Sycamore

An underrated option:

• Moderate heat output
• Burns steadily
• Good availability in the UK
• Affordable
• Can spark occasionally

Softwoods Worth Considering

Pine and Fir

Whilst not ideal as your primary fuel, softwoods have their place:

• Excellent for kindling
• Quick ignition
• Good for spring/autumn when you need a quick burst of heat
• Must be very dry to minimise resin and tar buildup

Important: If using softwood, ensure it's kiln-dried to below 20% moisture. Wet softwood will coat your chimney in tar far quicker than wet hardwood.

What We Stock at NW Logs

At NW Logs, we primarily supply hardwoods suited to the North Wales climate and heating needs. Our most popular woods are:

• Ash: Our bestseller – reliable, clean-burning, and excellent value
• Oak: For those wanting maximum burn time and heat
• Mixed Hardwood: A cost-effective blend that performs well

All our firewood is kiln-dried using our biomass boiler system, ensuring consistent moisture content of 10-15% regardless of species.

Woods to Avoid

Green (Unseasoned) Wood: Regardless of species, green wood should never be burned in your stove. The excessive moisture creates smoke, pollution, and tar buildup.

Treated or Painted Wood: Never burn wood that's been treated with chemicals, painted, or varnished. These release toxic fumes and can damage your stove.

Driftwood: The salt content produces corrosive compounds that damage your stove and chimney.

Plywood or Chipboard: The adhesives release harmful chemicals when burned.

Mixing Wood Types

Many people find that mixing wood types gives the best results:

• Use softwood or birch for kindling and initial ignition
• Add ash or beech for steady, reliable heat
• Add oak in the evening for long, slow overnight burns

At NW Logs, our mixed hardwood option is specifically designed to give you this versatility in a single delivery.

Does Wood Type Matter as Much as Moisture Content?

Here's the truth: a piece of kiln-dried pine at 15% moisture will outperform a piece of "seasoned" oak at 30% moisture every single time.

Whilst wood species does matter, moisture content is far more important. This is why our kiln-drying process is so crucial – it guarantees that whatever species you choose, it will burn efficiently and cleanly.

Making Your Choice

For most homeowners in North Wales, ash represents the sweet spot of performance, availability, and value. It's versatile, reliable, and burns beautifully in all conditions.

If you want maximum heat and have overnight burning needs, oak is superb – especially when kiln-dried to remove its naturally high moisture content.

For those on a budget, our mixed hardwood offers excellent performance with the variety of different burning characteristics.

Ready to order premium kiln-dried firewood? Contact NW Logs today – we deliver across the UK and can help you choose the right wood for your needs.