Choosing Firewood - BTU Content by Species

The quality of your firewood directly affects heat output, duration of burn and performance of your stove. Softwoods generally burn hotter and faster, while hardwoods burn longer and produce better coals. Density and moisture content are two critical factors to consider when purchasing wood for your stove.

Common Name	Lbs. per Cord	MBTU per Cord
Osage Orange	4728	32.9
Hickory, Shagbark	4327	27.7
Hop Hornbeam - Ironwood	4267	27.3
Beech, Blue - Ironwood	3890	26.8
Birch, Black	3890	26.8
Locust, Black	3890	26.8
Hickory, Bitternut	3832	26.7
Locust, Honey	3832	26.7
Apple	4100	26.5
Mulberry	3712	25.8
Oak, White	4012	25.7
Beech, European	3757	24
Maple, Sugar	3757	24
Oak, Red	3757	24
Ash, White	3689	23.6
Birch, Yellow	3689	23.6
Juniper, Rocky Mountain	3150	21.8
Elm, Red	3112	21.6
Coffee Tree, Kentucky	3112	21.6
Hackberry	3247	20.8
Tamarack	3247	20.8
Birch, Gray	3179	20.3
Birch, White	3179	20.3
Walnut, Black	3192	20.2
Cherry	3120	20
Ash, Green	2880	19.9
Cherry, Black	2880	19.9
Elm, American	3052	19.5
Elm, White	3052	19.5
Sycamore	2880	19.5
Ash, Black	2992	19.1
Maple, Red	2924	18.7
Fir, Douglas	2900	18.1
Boxelder	2797	17.9
Alder, Red	2710	17.2
Pine, Jack	2669	17.1
Pine, Norway, Red	2669	17.1
Pine, Pitch	2669	17.1
Catalpa	2360	16.4
Hemlock	2482	15.9
Spruce, Black	2482	15.9
Pine, Ponderosa	2380	15.2
Aspen, American	2290	14.7
Butternut (Walnut, White)	2100	14.5
Spruce	2100	14.5
Willow	2100	14.5
Fir, Balsam	2236	14.3
Pine, White	2236	14.3
Fir, Concolor (White)	2104	14.1
Basswood (Linden)	2108	13.8
Buckeye, Ohio	1984	13.8
Cottonwood	2108	13.5
Cedar, White	1913	12.2