It’s that time of year when fireplaces and firepits add to the ambiance of the holidays. Here are some facts and tips for health and safety regarding firewood.
- The best wood is seasoned firewood. It can take 6-9 months to properly season firewood. Seasoned firewood is easily identified by looking at the cut ends. The cut ends will be darker and have cracks. Seasoned wood is also lighter and harder. Seasoned wood also makes a hollow sound when hitting two pieces together.
- By contrast, green, unseasoned wood or wet wood is hard to light, burns inefficiently and produces a lot of smoke. Unseasoned wood will “hiss” when burned, will not show cracks at the cut end, is heavier, and still smells of fresh cut wood.
- Harmful firewood includes driftwood which contains dioxins from saltwater, and wood from poisonous trees and vines such as poison sumac and oleander, which can produce toxic smoke.
- The wood you use should be local. In Florida we should use firewood that was harvested within 50 miles of our location. This is because pests such as emerald ash borer and Asian ambrosia beetle are easily spread through firewood movement. If the wood crosses a state line, it must be accompanied by a permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture. How should I store my firewood?
- It is important to store firewood off the ground and protected from the elements with plastic or another weatherproof material. The sides of the firewood stack should have good air circulation.
