Ranking the Best (and Worst) Firewood in North America

by Ellie Gabel

Households never know when they will have to provide their own form of heating. Any disaster or emergency could shut off critical utilities, and families need to stay strong and healthy with a reliable source of heat. Fire is the most trustworthy option, but its burning times and health risks vary based on the feedstock. These are the best and worst firewood species for North American survivalists.

The Best Firewood Choices for Warmth, Safety and Value

A quality firewood is dense and moisture-free, which means hardwoods are more favorable than softwoods. Thin, wet varieties — whether with water or sap — will burn quickly. In addition to top performers like beech and maple, these are the most lucrative regional options based on heat output per cord and other benefits.

Red or White Oak

While some woods burn hotter and brighter than oaks, they are the best for all-around performance. They produce significant heat and last a long time. Additionally, they are widely accessible throughout North America, making them perfect in a survival situation. It could even burn overnight, leaving hot embers to work with for easy relighting in the morning.

Shagbark Hickory

Hickory is the hottest-burning firewood you can find. It is incredibly dense, even in comparison to other hardwoods. Because of its hardiness, households spend less time splitting and tending to a fading fire, conserving resources and energy.

It is critical to remember that even the strongest wood can still pose a danger. Those gathering materials to burn fires should be careful with their equipment, as debris could cause machinery to overheat and pose a fire hazard.

Black Locust

Fewer woods are more durable than black locust. It outcompetes other varieties, especially in the cold, wet months. This wood is highly resistant to rot, while still maintaining high heat production. Feel free to stack it outside in the elements without worrying about degradation. Survivalists should know to only burn the wood from black locusts, as other parts of the tree, such as its leaves, can produce toxic smoke.

In Summary

Each wood offers benefits during emergency or survival situations. British Thermal Units (BTUs) are the standard heat measurement of burning wood.

The Worst Firewood Choices by Density, Toxicity and Smoke

The least productive species are inefficient and could pose a health risk. Some of them burn too quickly and create hazards if left unattended for too long — though adequate protective gear should always be part of any emergency preparedness kit. Low-BTU woods include spruce and chestnut, among others, but these are among the worst.

Poplar

Poplars comprise many trees, including cottonwoods and aspens. All of them are poor options for firewood. Many perform half as well as oak species, requiring families to split and burn twice as much. The fire will be extremely high-maintenance, so it is only viable if no other wood sources are nearby.

Pine and Other Conifers

Pines have a higher heat output than poplars, but they are very dangerous for indoor fireplaces. They have high concentrations of resin in the wood, and the smoke contains a substance called creosote. This material sticks to surfaces, such as chimney walls, and can cause home or wildfires if accumulated.

In natural disasters or other emergencies, it is better to burn firewood with lower heat if it keeps the rest of the shelter safe. If families must burn pine, it is better to do it outdoors, where creosote buildup is not a concern.

Wood With Vines

Never burn any wood varieties that contain poison ivy, oak or sumac. They are dangerous for people to interact with and touch, but they also create a harmful smoke because they contain urushiol, the oil that causes a rash when touched. It can cause respiratory irritation to those nearby and anywhere the smoke drifts. Even in the worst-case scenarios, these should never be a firewood option. Inhalation could lead to hospitalization.

In Summary

These varieties should be avoided at all costs, unless it is a dire emergency.

Maximizing Heat and Minimizing Risk

When in dire straits, the last thing people want to worry about is how they are going to stay warm. Heat is the vehicle for maintaining morale and staying strong in emergencies, which is crucial for intentional resource and energy management. Knowing the most high-value firewood varieties around is vital for withstanding the toughest situations with confidence.

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