How to Buy Firewood: The Complete Guide for Homeowners

Seasoned Firewood vs. Green Wood

Before buying firewood, understand this key difference:

• Seasoned firewood has been dried for 6 to 24 months and contains less than 20% moisture. It burns clean, hot, and efficiently.
• Green (unseasoned) wood is freshly cut, with 30–50% moisture. It burns poorly, produces heavy smoke, and can damage your chimney.

Pro Tip: Always choose seasoned wood if you’re planning to burn it soon.

Hardwood or Softwood: Which is Better?

• Hardwoods like oak, maple, hickory, and ash are dense and long-burning—perfect for heating your home.
• Softwoods such as pine, fir, and cedar ignite quickly—great for kindling or short fires, but not for long-term heating.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common wood types you’ll find when searching for firewood for sale near you.

Top Hardwoods (Best Heat & Burn Time)

• Oak – Long burn, excellent coals, minimal smoke.
• Hickory – Very high BTU output, ideal for heat and smoking meat.
• Maple – Clean-burning with a pleasant scent.
• Ash – Burns well even slightly green; easy to split.
• Cherry – Beautiful flames and a mild, sweet aroma.

Reliable Heating Woods

• Birch – Hot and fast-burning, good for mild weather.
• Beech – High heat output, long-lasting.
• Elm – Burns well when seasoned, but hard to split.

Softwoods (Best for Kindling)

• Pine – Easy to light, great for starting fires.
• Fir – Clean burn, nice aroma.
• Cedar – Aromatic, insect-repellent, excellent fire starter.

Understanding measurements helps you avoid being shorted when buying firewood:

• Full cord: 4' high × 4' deep × 8' long = 128 cubic feet
• Face cord: One-third of a full cord, typically 16" deep
• Rick: Varies by region; usually same as a face cord
• Bundle: Small batch, often sold at stores or roadside stands

Prices for firewood for sale vary by location and wood type:

• Expect $150 to $400+ per cord
• Hardwoods cost more than softwoods
• Prices go up in fall/winter and drop in spring/summer

Looking for firewood near you? These are your best options:

Local Firewood Suppliers

• Often the best quality and value
• Ask for wood species, seasoning time, and delivery options

Tree Services & Sawmills

• May offer great deals on bulk wood
• Some allow custom orders by species or length

Farm Stands & Roadside Vendors

• Convenient for small loads
• Always inspect before buying; quality can vary

Big Box Stores

• Convenient but expensive per unit
• Usually kiln-dried and ready to burn

Online Marketplaces (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace)

• Good for deals, but buyer beware
• Inspect wood before paying and meet in safe locations

Signs of Quality Firewood

• Cracks in the ends (checking)
• Bark falling off
• Lightweight feel
• Hollow sound when knocked together
• Grayish color (for seasoned wood)

Use a Moisture Meter

• Aim for less than 20% moisture
• Split a log and test the inside for an accurate reading

Proper Size

• Most fireplaces and wood stoves fit 14–18 inch logs
• 3–6 inch diameter pieces burn best

Red Flags to Avoid When Buying Firewood

Low-Quality Wood

• Feels heavy (likely unseasoned)
• Moldy or infested logs
• Painted, stained, or pressure-treated wood (toxic when burned)
• Mixed or unidentified species

Suspicious Sellers

• Won’t let you inspect the wood
• Can’t verify how long it’s been seasoned
• Charging much less than market rates (usually green wood)
• No delivery address or contact info

• Keep it off the ground using pallets or a firewood rack
• Cover the top only to allow airflow from the sides
• Store in a sunny, breezy location
• Keep at least 30 feet away from your home to reduce pests and fire risk

If you buy green wood, you’ll need to season it:

• Softwoods: 6–12 months
• Hardwoods: 12–24 months

Split wood seasons faster than unsplit logs.

Signs It’s Ready to Burn:

• Bark peels off
• Wood has a dull gray look
• Makes a sharp crack sound when split
• Feels noticeably lighter

• Buy in bulk — Full cords cost less per cubic foot than bundles or small stacks
• Shop off-season — Spring and summer deals are cheaper
• Cut your own — Some areas offer permits to harvest wood from public land
• Build relationships — Loyal customers often get better pricing from local firewood suppliers

Transporting Firewood

• A full cord of hardwood can weigh 3,000–5,000 lbs
• Use a trailer or heavy-duty vehicle and secure the load properly

Indoor Storage

• Only bring in 1–2 days' worth at a time
• Don’t store large stacks indoors—risk of pests and mold

Burning Safely

• Use only clean, natural wood
• Avoid burning trash, painted, or pressure-treated wood
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly