FIREWOOD & CORDWOOD

  
The volume of this bundle
of firewood is labeled
as .75 cubic feet.

Type of Firewood

TEN WOODBURNING TIPS
Source: The Chimney Safety Institute of America
     
To aid in the prevention of chimney fires and carbon monoxide intrusion and to help keep woodburning fireplaces and wood stoves functioning properly, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) offers the following safety tips for new and returning wood burners:
  
Get an annual chimney check. Have chimneys inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary, by a qualified professional chimney service technician. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions in the chimneys.
  
Keep it clear. Keep tree branches and leaves at least 15 feet away from the top of the chimney.
 
Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of the chimney.
  
Choose the right fuel. For burning firewood in wood stoves or fireplaces, choose well seasoned wood that has been split for a minimum of six months to one year, and stored in a covered and elevated location. Never burn Christmas trees or treated wood in your fireplace or wood stove.
  
Build it right. Place firewood or firelogs at the rear of the fireplace on a supporting grate. To start the fire, use kindling or a commercial firelighter. Never use flammable liquids.
  
Keep the hearth area clear. Combustible material too close to the fireplace, or to a wood stove, could easily catch fire. Keep furniture at least 36" away from the hearth.
 
Use a fireplace screen. Use metal mesh or a screen in front of the fireplace to catch flying sparks that could ignite or burn holes in the carpet or flooring.
 
Be careful not to overload the fireplace. Add one manufactured firelog at a time or no more than a couple of pieces of firewood. A fireplace is not designed to function as an incinerator and should never be used to burn glossy paper or garbage.
 
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Place detectors throughout the house and check batteries in the spring and fall. When you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time, remember to check your batteries.
  
Never leave a fire unattended. Before turning in for the evening, be sure that the fire is fully extinguished. Supervise children and pets closely around wood stoves and fireplaces. 

PHOTOGRAPHS OF VARIOUS WOODS

Source of board photographs and most descriptions below:
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
     

White Oak

White Oak is light to dark brown with a medium to coarse texture.  It is mostly straight grained with longer rays than red oak.  When people work with white oak, they must keep in mind that it dries slowly.
Leaves have rounded "lobes" resembling fingers.

Black Locust

Shagbark Hickory

Hickory is pale to reddish brown and coarse textured.  The grain is straight, but can be wavy or irregular.  The wood has good strength, but hickory has a reputation as being difficult to work with.  It has a tendency to split and can be difficult to dry.

Sugar Maple

Hard Maple varies in color from light to dark reddish brown depending on its growing area.  It has a close fine texture, and is generally straight grained.  However, "curly," "fiddleback," and "birds-eye" figure can also be characteristic of this wood.  Hard Maple dries slowly.

Sugar maple leaves just prior to fall coloration with bright yellow and orange.

Beech

Beech is heavy, hard, and strong.  It is reddish brown in color and straight grained with a close uniform texture.
Extremely smooth bark makes it easy to identify Beech trees.

Red Oak

Northern Red Oak is mostly straight grained with a coarse texture.  The wood is hard and heavy, and a pinkish reddish brown.
Red Oak has shiny silver bark on the upper branches.

White Ash

Ash is grayish brown to a pale yellow streaked with brown in color.  The wood is straight grained with a coarse uniform texture.  Ash is light in weight; and is used in making baseball bats.
Referred to as the 'Firewood of Kings' since it splits easily and burns well, even when freshly cut.
[See special message below]

Red Maple (aka 'Swamp Maple')

Red Maple wood is usually straight grained.  The wood varies from light to dark reddish brown.

Black Walnut

Black Cherry (aka 'Wild Cherry')

Cherry has a fine uniform straight grain, smooth texture, and may contain small gum pockets.  Cherry is distinctively a rich red to a reddish brown in color.
Cherry firewood is easy to split and very common in Pennsylvania. Logs don't store as well outside as other types of cordwood -- keep wood piles dry with good air circulation.
   

Emerald Ash Borer information (PDF 513MB)