Bill Owen, Lake County Environmental Education and Community Development Agent
Whenever the weather turns colder, I receive more and more calls about purchasing firewood. A cheerful fire in the fireplace or wood-burning stove can create a festive atmosphere, but some basic knowledge about firewood can help keep you from being "burned" when making a purchase. Here are some hints to help you make an informed purchase.
State law requires that firewood be sold by the cord or fraction of a cord. A standard cord is 128 cubic feet of wood-the equivalent of a stack 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet deep. Since most people don't need a full cord, dealers may offer a half cord (8 feet x 4 feet x 2 feet) or a third of a cord (8 feet x 4 feet x 16 inches). Terms such as rick, face cord and truck load are not legal measures of firewood, so ask for specifics. I once had someone tell me his car's trunk held half a cord of wood!
Another important consideration is the type of wood offered. Woods such as hickory, oak and sugar maple can produce almost twice as much heat as poplar or cottonwood. Some woods produce heavier smoke than others, and some, like locust, tend to throw sparks when they burn. This is great for our stove, but we don't burn it in our open fireplace.
Most wood is sold as "mixed hardwoods," but the seller should be able to tell you what types of wood you are receiving.
Is the wood seasoned? Most freshly cut wood is too damp and needs time to dry or season (I recommend at least six months). A good way to ensure dry wood is to buy it several months before it will be used.
Other important questions to ask include: Is it split (split logs dry faster); does the price include delivery; and does the seller stack the wood or just dump it. Usually, the more service you request the higher the price will be, but you may wish to have someone else handle the wood as a full cord can weigh up to 2 tons.
Most firewood dealers want your repeat business and will do their best to answer your questions. If you are not satisfied with the answers you receive, I recommend you shop around for a new source of wood.
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