How can a novice tell if wood is seasoned?
To Burn or not To Burn: Hansen’s recommends the use of seasoned oak, hickory, ash and Applewood as firewood because of their aromas and heat characteristics. Wood not recommended for burning include: pine, spruce, balsam, cedar and juniper. Firewood Aromas: Some wood gives off a particular smell when it burns: • Applewood and other fruit trees emit odors that are slightly fruity. • Ash smells faintly like olive oil. • White Oak has a please rich sent. • Hickory gives off a strong sweet, almost bacony flavor. Firewood Heat: The following is a list of woods that provide different levels of energy (BTU). • High 21 million to 26 million BTU per log – Apple; American and Blue Beech; Black and Yellow Birch; Dogwood; Hickory; Ironwood; Black Locust; Sugar Maple; Black, Red and White Oak; Osage Orange and Persimmon. • Medium 17 million to 20 million BTU per log – Downy Serviceberry; Black, Green and White Ash; Gray and White Birch; Black Cherry; Red and Silver Maple; Longleaf and Red Pine; Swe
