Heat output (BTU per cord, dry) is the single most important number when picking firewood. Higher BTU = more heat per log, fewer trips to the woodpile, longer overnight burns. Below is a calibrated chart of common North American firewood species, sorted by heat output, with cost rating and best-use notes.
Firewood BTU chart by species
| Species | Million BTU/cord | Heat tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osage Orange | 32.9 | Top tier | Coldest nights, long burns |
| Shagbark Hickory | 28.1 | Top tier | Smokers, long fireplace burns |
| Black Locust | 27.9 | Top tier | Wood stoves, overnight |
| White Oak | 26.4 | Top tier | Fireplaces, pizza ovens |
| Bitternut Hickory | 26.5 | Top tier | BBQ smokers, fireplaces |
| Red Oak | 24.6 | High | Fireplaces, fire pits |
| Sugar Maple | 24.0 | High | Fireplaces, even burn |
| Beech | 24.0 | High | Pizza ovens, fireplaces |
| Yellow Birch | 23.6 | High | Fireplaces, fast lights |
| White Ash | 23.6 | High | Fire pits, easy split |
| Black Walnut | 22.2 | High | Fireplaces, mild aroma |
| Red Maple | 20.8 | Mid | Fireplaces, decorative burn |
| Cherry | 20.0 | Mid | Pizza ovens, BBQ, aroma |
| Paper Birch | 20.3 | Mid | Fast lights, kindling |
| American Elm | 19.5 | Mid | Fireplaces (hard to split) |
| Sycamore | 19.1 | Mid | Fire pits, decorative |
| Pinyon Pine | 27.1 | Top tier | Southwest fire pits (rare in NE) |
| White Pine | 15.9 | Low | Kindling only, avoid in fireplace |
| Aspen | 14.7 | Low | Quick fires, low heat |
| Cottonwood | 13.5 | Low | Avoid (high creosote) |
Source: average values calibrated against US Forest Service and Utah State University Cooperative Extension data. Values vary ±10% depending on moisture content. All figures are for properly dry firewood (under 20% moisture).
What BTU actually measures
A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is the heat needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. A cord of firewood is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood (4 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft). Million BTU per cord is the standard heat-output metric for firewood.
Real-world heat output depends on three factors beyond species:
- Moisture content. Wood at 30% moisture loses about 30% of its rated BTU to evaporating water. Kiln-dried wood (under 15%) burns at 95% or more of rated BTU. Read our kiln-dried vs seasoned comparison.
- Density. Hardwoods (oak, hickory, maple) pack 30 to 50% more wood mass into the same volume than softwoods (pine, spruce). That is why a cord of oak weighs roughly 3,800 lb dry vs a cord of pine at 2,400 lb.
- Burn rate. Dense hardwoods burn slow and produce coals (good for overnight). Light hardwoods like ash burn medium. Softwoods burn fast with high flames but no coal base.
Top tier hardwoods for Northeast heating
For heating-season fireplace and wood stove use in the Northeast US, the highest-leverage species are:
- White Oak (26.4 M BTU). Dense, long burn, predictable. Our default hardwood blend has white oak as the base.
- Red Oak (24.6 M BTU). Splits easier than white oak, comparable heat.
- Hickory (26 to 28 M BTU). The best wood for BBQ smokers. Also excellent for fireplaces if you can find it.
- Sugar Maple (24.0 M BTU). Clean burn, even output, easy to split. Common in PA and NY.
- White Ash (23.6 M BTU). Burns hot even at slightly higher moisture. Easiest hardwood to split.
Best wood for cooking (pizza ovens + BBQ)
Cooking wood is a different game. You want clean smoke flavor, predictable temperature curves, and aroma compatibility with the food. Top picks:
- Cherry. Sweet, mild smoke. Best for pork, poultry, pizza dough. See our pizza oven wood guide.
- White Oak. Neutral, hot, long burn. Backbone of most BBQ blends.
- Hickory. Bold smoke. Best for beef, pork shoulder, brisket. Strong enough to dominate, use sparingly with mild proteins.
- Apple and other fruitwoods. Sweet, very mild. Best for chicken and seafood.
Woods to avoid in fireplaces and stoves
Avoid burning these in indoor fireplaces or stoves:
- Pine, spruce, fir, cedar (any softwood). High creosote, fast burn, no coal base. Acceptable for outdoor fire pits, not indoor.
- Pressure-treated lumber, painted wood, plywood, particle board. Releases toxic fumes (arsenic, formaldehyde, glues).
- Driftwood. Salt content damages firebricks and creosote-coats chimneys.
- Wet or moldy wood. Below 75% of rated BTU, plus carcinogenic mold spores in the smoke.
Shop kiln-dried hardwood by BTU performance
Our standard Mega Bag and Box blends are oak-heavy with ash, cherry, and maple. Average blended BTU: 23 to 25 M per cord (dry). USDA-certified, under 15% moisture.
- 1.75 cu ft Premium Mega Bag
- 1.33 cu ft Premium Box
- 1/4 Cord palletized (local NE delivery)
FAQ
What is the highest-BTU firewood?
Osage Orange (32.9 M BTU per cord) is the hottest commonly-burned firewood in North America. Rarely sold commercially. Of widely available species, Shagbark Hickory (28.1 M BTU) and Black Locust (27.9 M BTU) are the top picks.
How many BTUs in a Mega Bag?
A 1.75 cu ft Mega Bag of kiln-dried oak blend produces approximately 320,000 to 350,000 BTU total. Equivalent to running a 25,000 BTU portable space heater for 13 to 14 hours.
Does kiln-dried wood produce more BTU than seasoned?
Yes. Seasoned wood (20 to 25% moisture) loses roughly 25 to 30% of its rated BTU to evaporating water. Kiln-dried wood (under 15%) delivers 95% or more of rated BTU.
What is the lowest creosote firewood?
Kiln-dried hardwoods produce the least creosote because there is almost no water vapor to condense in the chimney. Oak, ash, maple, and cherry are particularly clean-burning at low moisture.
Which species do you sell?
Our Mega Bag and Box are oak-base blends with ash, maple, cherry, and birch (varies by batch). Pallet products are sorted by species on request, contact sales@firewoodflex.com for specific allocations.
Sources and references
- USDA APHIS Plant Pest and Disease Programs
- US EPA Burn Wise Program
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory
- Utah State University Cooperative Extension, Heating with Wood
- US Forest Service for cord and species data
About the Firewood Flex Team
Written by the Firewood Flex operations team. We kiln-dry to USDA APHIS standard, log moisture content per batch, and ship from our Levittown, PA distribution facility with USDA APHIS phytosanitary-certified hardwood to 11 Northeast states. Founded 2025. USPTO Serial 99591611.
