Not all firewood is the same, according to Dave Bruton, a utilization and marketing forester with the Kansas Forest Service. Some tree species produce more heat than others, with red, bur, and post oak being among the top, generating a heat value of 25 million British Thermal Units (BTUs). Only Osage Orange (32.6), honey locust (25.6), and black locust (28.3) surpass the oaks in heat output. However, Osage Orange can be problematic due to its tendency to spark, and black locust can be challenging to split. Many elm varieties and hackberry score around 20 BTUs, but elm can also be hard to split.

Bruton recommends the Kansas Forest Service publication, Managing Your Woodland for Firewood, as a valuable resource for landowners interested in growing and harvesting firewood. Homeowners are encouraged to buy firewood locally to help prevent the spread of pests like the Emerald Ash Borer, which has devastated ash trees across the U.S.

Bruton also emphasizes the importance of seasoning firewood, which should have a moisture content of 15-20% for optimal burning. He advises splitting large pieces, stacking them on pallets, and exposing them to sunlight and good air circulation to speed up the drying process. Seasoning can take 1-3 years, so Bruton suggests planning ahead and segregating wood for future use.