Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Firewood: Know what you are buying

Firewood is sold by various methods:

Standard cord (the most common) - wood tightly stacked, will measure four feet high and eight feet long, with each stick of wood being four feet long, containing 128 cubic feet.

Face cord - measures four feet by eight feet, but the length of the sticks of wood may vary. For example, if the sticks of wood are two feet long, then the amount purchased would only be one-half cord, four feet by four feet by two feet, or 64 cubic feet.

Truckload - a basic half-ton pick-up truck will hold only one-third to one-half of a standard cord of firewood, depending on how tightly the wood is stacked.

By weight - there is approximately 5,700 pounds per cord of hardwood. This method is often used when buying loads of whole logs, which may be in lengths of 10-12 feet. The buyer will then cut and split the wood himself, according to his own needs. Firewood bought by weight is usually less expensive per cord.

For more information contact the Georgia Forestry Commission at 770-227-5522 or 770-358-1459.

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