Uses and Tips for Buying Quality Firewood

Firewood is cool. And there are many uses and advantages to having high quality seasoned firewood. Without firewood, there would be no campfires, no bonfires on the beach, no wood stoves keeping your whole house warm and toasty this winter, and no nights sipping hot chocolate (or wine) in front of a crackling wood fire in the fireplace. The sights, sounds and smells of a blazing wood fire all contribute to a delightful feeling of warmth, well-being and contentment we all enjoy. Before you start gathering kindling for your first wood fire of the season, however, there are a few things you should know to keep your wood fires safe. If you are ever interested, we offer firewood for sale at a great price! We are your local firewood suppliers should you ever need it. Give us a call at (303) 935-0005 or contact the local tree service experts in your area for all things firewood and tree care services!

When it comes to the best uses of firewood, it is important to use locally-sourced firewood. Emerald Ash Borer has been a problem for ash trees in Boulder County. Because of this it is especially important to use locally-sourced firewood in states like Colorado. Be aware of where your firewood comes from, as ash firewood from trees in this county is not allowed to be moved outside the county, in order to protect trees in other areas from becoming infested. The rule of thumb regarding tips for buying firewood is to get yours from a local supplier no more than 50 miles distance from your home, and the closer to you, the better. Buying firewood from the side of the road is not the best way to ensure the wood you get is healthy, seasoned, and free of harmful insects.

One of the advantages of firewood is that most of the time you can get it in your own backyard. You have the ability to utilize all the uses that firewood has to offer with wood around the area of your home. If you don’t have wood on your own property that can be used for firewood, purchase from a local supplier that will deliver and stack the wood for you. We offer firewood for sale in bulk sizes consisting of cords and half cords to anyone who needs it. Half a cord of firewood measures four feet high by two feet deep by eight feet long. A full cord of firewood measures four feet high, four feet deep and eight feet long, and stacking it neatly takes time and care. Be sure to measure the space where you plan on storing the wood, especially if it is on a limited or enclosed space such as a small patio or an apartment or condominium deck.

Another tip for buying firewood is to always insist on hardwood. For the best uses of firewood, be sure to ask your supplier how long the wood has seasoned. “Seasoned” means the tree has been cut and allowed to dry for a least one full year either outdoors or in a well ventilated area; two to three years is even better, as the lower the moisture content, the greater the energy efficiency. Seasoned, dried wood is recognized by surface cracks and bark that is easily removed. For indoor fires, avoid the use of resinous woods such as firs and pines, as they contain resins that cause excessive smoke and blacken fireplaces and wood stove glazing.

To reap the best advantages from your firewood be sure to store your split firewood in a well ventilated, dry place that gets some sun. This will help you maximize your uses of firewood for a longer period of time. Don’t store your wood too close to the house for safety’s sake in the event of a fire. However, it’s very safe and convenient to keep a supply of seasoned firewood on the deck, patio, porch or indoors beside your fireplace. If the wood has been properly seasoned, you can cover it with plastic. If storing your firewood outdoors, keep it elevated on treated wood or a metal frame so that it is not in direct contact with any soil.

To protect your home from a chimney fire and keep your fireplace performing at its peak, have your chimney swept every year prior to using your fireplace. You can find a local professional chimney sweep in the telephone directory or with a quick search online. These professionals can eliminate any bird nests, obstructions, and chemical buildup on the interior walls of your chimney that could result in a chimney fire.

To protect your home from a chimney fire and keep your fireplace performing at its peak, have your chimney swept every year prior to using your fireplace. You can find a local professional chimney sweep in the telephone directory or with a quick search online. These professionals can eliminate any bird nests, obstructions, and chemical buildup on the interior walls of your chimney that could result in a chimney fire.

Tips for buying firewood and building the perfect fire include:

• Always check that the fireplace flue is in the open position before lighting a fire
• Get correctly sized logs for your fireplace; a small fireplace needs 16” lengths of wood, a larger fireplace can handle 18” – 20” lengths
• Open a window slightly to help create a better draft
• Use only dry, seasoned wood and dry kindling
• Never add combustible materials to your wood fire, whether indoors or outdoors

If you’re looking for a local supplier of quality firewood to reap all the benefits it has to offer, Arbor Pro Tree Experts offer local firewood, locally delivered. All our firewood is seasoned, cut, and split into 16" - 18" lengths, making it perfect for your fall and winter wood fires. Contact us today to discuss what firewood options you are interested in or give us a call at (303) 935-0005today!