Everything Canadians Need to Know About Choosing, Cutting, Splitting, Drying & Burning Firewood

Whether you heat your home with wood, enjoy evenings around a backyard fire pit, or spend weekends at the cabin, understanding firewood makes all the difference. The right wood burns hotter, produces less smoke, creates less creosote, and is far easier to split than the wrong wood.

As firefighters, we've seen firsthand the importance of properly stored firewood, safe burning practices, and maintaining wood-burning equipment. As outdoor tool specialists, we've also helped thousands of Canadians choose the right axes, wedges, saws, and sharpening equipment to process their firewood safely and efficiently.

This guide brings everything together in one place.

Table of Contents

• Why Firewood Quality Matters
• The Best Firewood Species in Canada
• Softwood vs Hardwood
• Firewood BTU Comparison Chart
• Green Wood vs Seasoned Firewood
• How Long Should Firewood Dry?
• How to Tell if Firewood is Ready to Burn
• Moisture Content Explained
• How to Split Firewood
• Choosing the Right Axe
• When to Use a Splitting Maul
• When Splitting Wedges Work Best
• Chainsaw Safety
• Firewood Storage
• Firewood Stacking Tips
• Firewood Safety
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Firewood Quality Matters

Many people believe that "wood is wood."

It isn't.

The difference between properly seasoned hardwood and freshly cut green wood is dramatic.

Quality firewood:

• Produces more heat
• Burns cleaner
• Creates less smoke
• Reduces creosote buildup
• Is easier to light
• Burns longer
• Protects your chimney
• Reduces emissions

Poor-quality firewood wastes time, creates frustration, and increases the risk of chimney fires.

The Best Firewood Species in Canada

Canada has some of the world's finest firewood. Each species offers different characteristics depending on where you live.

Wood Species	Heat Output	Easy to Split	Seasoning Time	Best Uses
White Oak	Excellent	Moderate	24 months	Home heating
Red Oak	Excellent	Moderate	24 months	Long overnight burns
Sugar Maple	Excellent	Easy	12-18 months	Heating
White Ash	Excellent	Very Easy	12 months	Excellent all-around
Yellow Birch	Excellent	Moderate	12-18 months	Heating
Beech	Excellent	Moderate	18 months	Long burns
Douglas Fir	Good	Easy	6-12 months	Campfires
Tamarack (Larch)	Very Good	Moderate	12 months	Heating
Lodgepole Pine	Good	Easy	6 months	Kindling and shoulder season
Spruce	Fair	Easy	6 months	Campfires
Cedar	Fair	Very Easy	6 months	Fire starting

Hardwood vs Softwood

One of the biggest myths is that softwoods should never be burned.

That's simply not true.

Hardwood

Advantages

• Higher BTU output
• Longer burn time
• Less frequent loading
• Better overnight burns

Examples

• Oak
• Maple
• Ash
• Birch
• Beech

Softwood

Advantages

• Easier to split
• Dries faster
• Lights easily
• Excellent kindling

Examples

• Pine
• Fir
• Cedar
• Spruce

When properly seasoned, both hardwoods and softwoods burn cleanly.

The key isn't the species—it's the moisture content.

Firewood BTU Comparison

Approximate heat output per cord.

Species	Million BTUs
White Oak	29
Sugar Maple	24
White Ash	24
Yellow Birch	23
Beech	27
Tamarack	21
Douglas Fir	20
Pine	17
Spruce	16
Cedar	13

Higher BTU wood generally means fewer trips to the woodpile during the winter.

Green Wood vs Seasoned Firewood

Freshly cut trees often contain 40–60% moisture.

Proper firewood should contain 20% moisture or less.

Burning green wood results in:

• Excess smoke
• Poor heat output
• Heavy creosote buildup
• Dirty chimney
• Difficult fires

Seasoned wood burns hotter, cleaner, and more efficiently.

How Long Should Firewood Dry?

Drying time depends on the species, climate, and how the wood is stored.

Species	Approximate Drying Time
Pine	6-9 months
Fir	6-12 months
Cedar	6 months
Maple	12-18 months
Ash	12 months
Birch	12-18 months
Oak	18-24 months

Splitting logs immediately after cutting dramatically speeds up drying.

Moisture Content Matters

A moisture meter is one of the best investments anyone who burns wood can make.

Aim for:

✅ Below 20%

Avoid:

❌ Over 25%

Testing freshly split wood gives the most accurate reading.

How to Tell if Firewood is Ready

Look for:

• Large end cracks
• Grey weathered appearance
• Loose bark
• Hollow sound when struck together
• Lightweight feel

The only reliable method, however, is using a moisture meter.

How to Split Firewood

Good splitting starts with proper technique.

1. Use a solid chopping block.
2. Stand with stable footing.
3. Aim for existing cracks.
4. Let the weight of the axe do the work.
5. Split larger rounds into manageable pieces.

Avoid striking rocks, frozen ground, or steel wedges with hardened steel tools unless designed for that purpose.

Choosing the Right Axe

Different jobs require different tools.

Splitting Axe

Designed to separate wood fibres efficiently.

Best for:

• Firewood processing
• Medium-sized rounds
• Daily use

Splitting Maul

Heavier head.

Ideal for:

• Large rounds
• Knotty hardwood
• Frozen wood

Felling Axe

Designed to cut across wood fibres—not split them.

Using a felling axe for firewood is slower and less efficient.

When Splitting Wedges Shine

Even the best splitting axe has limits.

Steel or polymer wedges become invaluable when dealing with:

• Large diameter logs
• Twisted grain
• Elm
• Large oak rounds
• Frozen hardwood

Driving multiple wedges can save both energy and frustration.

Chainsaw Safety

Processing firewood almost always begins with a chainsaw.

Always wear:

• Helmet
• Face shield
• Hearing protection
• Chainsaw chaps
• Gloves
• Steel-toe boots

Never cut alone in remote areas.

Inspect your saw before every use.

Keep the chain sharp.

A dull chain increases fatigue and kickback risk.

Firewood Storage

Proper storage protects your investment.

Do

• Stack off the ground.
• Cover only the top.
• Allow airflow.
• Keep stacks in the sun.
• Rotate older wood first.

Don't

• Wrap the pile completely.
• Store directly on soil.
• Stack against your home's siding.
• Bring large quantities indoors.

Firewood Stacking Tips

Cross-stack the ends for stability.

Leave space between rows.

Keep stacks no higher than you're comfortable safely accessing.

Store next winter's firewood one full season ahead whenever possible.

Firewood Safety

As firefighters, we've seen preventable fires caused by improper firewood storage.

Follow these simple guidelines:

• Keep firewood at least 10 metres from structures whenever practical, especially in wildfire-prone areas.
• Remove leaves and combustible debris around the stack.
• Never stack firewood under decks during wildfire season.
• Keep chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned regularly if you burn wood as a primary heat source.
• Always use a spark screen or close the stove door securely.

Safe firewood practices protect both your home and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best firewood in Canada?

For maximum heat output, oak, maple, ash, birch, and beech are among the best choices. The ideal species often depends on what grows locally.

Can you burn pine?

Yes. Properly seasoned pine burns cleanly and is excellent for shoulder-season heating, campfires, and kindling.

How dry should firewood be?

Firewood should measure 20% moisture content or less before burning.

Should I split wood immediately?

Yes. Splitting logs soon after cutting speeds drying and makes many species easier to process.

How long does seasoned firewood last?

When stored properly off the ground with good airflow, firewood can remain usable for several years.

Final Thoughts

Firewood is more than just fuel—it's part of a Canadian tradition that connects us to our homes, cabins, and the outdoors. By choosing the right species, seasoning it properly, storing it correctly, and using the appropriate tools, you'll enjoy warmer fires, greater efficiency, and safer burning throughout the season.

Whether you're preparing a few evenings' worth of campfire wood or several cords for winter heating, investing a little time in doing it right pays dividends in comfort, safety, and performance.

At Axeman Outdoor Supply, we believe that quality tools make every step of the process easier—from felling and bucking to splitting, sharpening, and stacking. We're proud to help Canadians choose equipment that lasts for generations and stands up to the demands of real-world use.

Here's to a warm fire, a sharp axe, and a well-stocked woodshed.

Related Guides

• Best Splitting Axes for Canadian Firewood
• How to Sharpen an Axe Like a Professional
• FireSmart Canada: Protecting Your Property from Wildfire
• Chainsaw Safety for Property Owners
• How to Choose the Right Axe for Every Job