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Choosing the best firewood for your log burner or wood burner makes a real difference to heat output, safety and running costs. The right logs burn hotter, last longer and produce less smoke. Poor firewood, by contrast, can waste energy, reduce stove performance and contribute to deposits in your chimney.
This guide explains which UK firewood species are best for wood burners, how long they need to season, and how to get the most efficient burn.
Why firewood choice matters
Not all logs burn in the same way. Softwoods such as pine or spruce tend to light quickly and burn faster, while dense hardwoods generally provide a longer-lasting burn.
Well-seasoned hardwoods are an excellent choice for a wood burning stove. They are dense, can provide plenty of heat and burn efficiently when their moisture content is sufficiently low.
For best results, always choose suitable dry firewood with a moisture content below 20%. When buying wood in smaller quantities, look for logs sold under the Ready to Burn scheme.
Best types of firewood for log burners and wood burners
Oak
- Dense, slow-burning hardwood with high heat output
- Typically requires around 18–24 months or longer to season naturally
- Excellent when you want a long, steady burn
Ash
- Highly regarded as an excellent firewood
- Easy to split and generally seasons more quickly than oak
- A reliable everyday choice for wood burners
Beech
- Good heat output and a long burn once properly seasoned
- Can require a lengthy drying period due to its moisture content when freshly cut
- Excellent for steady winter heat
Birch
- Quick to light and useful for establishing a fire
- Burns relatively hot but faster than denser hardwoods
- Works well alongside slower-burning woods such as oak or beech
Sycamore
- Relatively straightforward to season
- Produces moderate heat and a steady flame
- Useful for milder weather or as part of a mixed log stack
Elm
- Interlocking grain can make it difficult to split
- Can provide a slow, steady burn once thoroughly seasoned
- Needs to be properly dried before use
Maple and cherry
- Can provide a clean, steady burn when properly seasoned
- Fruit woods such as cherry are often valued for their pleasant aroma
- Useful as part of a mixed supply of firewood
Other worthwhile options
Apple, pear, hawthorn, hazel and blackthorn can all make good firewood when properly seasoned. Fruit woods are particularly popular for their pleasant fragrance as they burn.
Firewood comparison table
| Wood Type | Heat Output | Burn Time | Typical Seasoning | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | Very high | Very long | 18–24 months+ | Long, steady burns |
| Ash | High | Long | 12–18 months | Everyday burning |
| Beech | High | Long | Can require 2+ years | Steady winter heat |
| Birch | Moderate | Shorter | 6–12 months | Starting fires, quick top-ups |
| Sycamore | Medium | Medium | Around 12 months | Milder days, mixed stacks |
| Elm | Medium-high | Long | 18–24 months+ | Long, steady burns |
| Maple / Cherry | Medium | Medium | 12–18 months | Mixed loads |
| Fruit woods | Medium | Medium | Varies by species | Fragrance, mixed loads |
Which firewood is best?
There is no single perfect firewood for every situation. Different species have different strengths, so keeping a mixture of logs can make your wood burner easier to light and control.
Best for starting fires
Birch and dry softwoods such as pine or spruce can be useful for kindling because they light quickly and burn readily. Hazel is another useful choice as it splits easily and seasons relatively quickly.
Best for maintaining heat
Oak, beech and other dense hardwoods burn more slowly once the stove is up to temperature. They are useful when you want a longer, steadier period of heat.
Best all-rounders
Ash and sycamore offer a useful balance. They are relatively easy to light, provide steady heat and generally season more quickly than very dense woods such as oak.
What about multi-fuel stoves?
If you own a multi-fuel stove, you have greater flexibility over the fuels you can use. Depending on the appliance and local regulations, this can include seasoned logs and suitable authorised smokeless fuels.
Always check the stove manufacturer’s instructions before using a particular fuel. The appliance needs to be operated correctly for the fuel being burned, as wood and mineral fuels have different combustion requirements.
Storing and seasoning logs
- Moisture content matters: Aim for 20% moisture or less before burning your logs.
- Test before you burn: A simple wood moisture meter can help you determine whether your logs are ready to use.
- Stack correctly: Keep logs off the ground and allow plenty of airflow around the stack.
- Protect them from rain: Keep the top of the stack covered while allowing air to circulate around the sides.
- Plan ahead: Dense woods such as oak can take considerably longer to season than faster-drying species.
If you are installing a new stove, you can also explore our stove flue packages and stove fitting kits.
FAQs about firewood for wood burners
Is ash better than oak for log burners?
Both are excellent choices. Oak provides a long, steady burn but generally takes longer to season. Ash is easier to split and tends to season more quickly, making it a convenient everyday firewood for many households.
Can I burn freshly cut wood in my wood burner?
No. Freshly cut or green wood contains too much moisture. This results in poorer combustion, less useful heat and more smoke and deposits. Allow logs to dry properly and check that their moisture content is 20% or less before burning.
What is the difference between seasoned and kiln-dried logs?
Seasoned logs are allowed to dry naturally over time, while kiln-dried logs are dried under controlled conditions. Either can be suitable for a wood burner provided the logs have an appropriate moisture content.
Which wood burns the longest in a wood burner?
Dense hardwoods such as oak and beech generally provide longer burn times than lighter, faster-burning woods such as birch. Actual burn time will also depend on the stove, log size, moisture content and how the appliance is operated.
Can I use logs in a pellet stove?
No. Pellet stoves are specifically designed to burn manufactured wood pellets rather than logs. You can view our pellet stoves for appliances designed for this type of fuel.
Final thoughts
At Log Burners, we have tried and tested many types of firewood in our own wood burning stoves, so we know first-hand how differently they can perform. Dense hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech are excellent for long, efficient burns, while quicker-burning woods such as birch or sycamore can be useful for getting a fire established or for milder evenings.
Our advice is to keep a good mixture. Use dense hardwood when you want a longer, steadier burn and keep some faster-lighting wood available to help establish the fire. If you enjoy a little extra character, fruit woods such as apple or cherry can add a pleasant aroma as they burn.
Whatever species you choose, the most important factor is moisture content. Make sure your logs are properly seasoned or kiln-dried and at 20% moisture or less before they go into your stove. A simple moisture meter is a worthwhile tool for checking your firewood before use.
