QUALITIES OF FIREWOOD (What type of wood burns best)

Douglas-fir: This omnipresent tree is likely the best of the conifers for firewood – better than some of the hardwoods, does not make much ash and has medium heating value. Old growth or tight -grain Douglas-fir is simple to divide, but some of the younger, second-growth, smaller-diameter trees could be extremely difficult.

Red alder: Seasoned alder burns warm, but fast. Wet alder puts a lot of ash and very little heat out. Alder splits readily having an axe and cuts. Fir and alder are competitively priced.

Ponderosa from the west side burns quick and hot, but might be hard to divide and full of pitch.

Oak: Properly seasoned oak is tough to beat. It much of it divides rather well, does not spark, and holds a fire. However, it won’t create much heat and will produce tons of ash if it isn’t adequately seasoned. Where poison oak is unrestrained as oak regularly grows be careful. You are able to develop a rash if you touch wood that has come in touch with the resin from this pernicious plant.

Oregon ash: Wet or dry, ash wood will produce a fire that is decent, but will make plenty of ashes. Most ash cuts and splits relatively easily as long as it is still green.

Maple is pretty close to the quality of ash and has carving characteristics and similar cutting. It burns somewhat cleaner, sparks a lot more and does not warm quite well.

Madrone: When seasoned, this hard, dense wood burns very hot and makes long lasting coals. Having small bark, madrone is clean to bring indoors. Some madrone is difficult and knotty to cut and divide.