Heating oil costs are expected to skyrocket this winter, but there’s an old-fashioned alternative that can offset those increases: firewood.

“We’re expecting substantial increases in wood used for fuel this year,” said Nathan McClure, forest products specialist with the Georgia Forestry Commission. “But before you buy, be sure you’re choosing quality wood in the right amount for your needs.”

McClure said people using firewood should have basic knowledge of the fuel and its properties.

Firewood is sold by the standard cord or by the cubic foot. One cord is equal to 128 cubic feet of stacked wood. Avoid sales involving terms such as “truckload,” “face cord,” or other unclear descriptions of measurement.

Choosing the proper species of tree is key when producing any type of wood product, and firewood is no different. Good quality firewood comes from species with a high density wood. Oak and hickory species are common, dense species used for firewood. Maple, Ash, and Sourwood also have relatively high densities.

To reduce the amount of wood needed, consumers should understand some btu basics. “Wood from all species of trees has similar energy value per pound when measured on a dry-weight basis,” explained McClure. In fact, he notes that 2.1 million tons of pine wood by-products were used for an energy source by industries in Georgia during 2003. However, the lighter or less dense the wood is when dried, the more wood that is required to produce the same heat.

Oak has an energy value of approximately 30 million btu’s per cord, while species such as pine and yellow poplar have an energy value of around 20 million btu’s per cord. To reduce the amount of wood needed, consumers should use firewood that is denser, such as wood from Georgia’s native oaks.

In addition, consumers should choose firewood that has been air dried for at least six months after being cut and split. Green firewood, or firewood that has not been properly dried, should not be used. It burns inefficiently and produces a thick smoke. This heavy smoke may cause hazardous buildups of “creosote,” a flammable tar-like substance that forms in chimneys and emits particulate matter into the air. The Georgia Forestry Commission recommends combustion of dry firewood in a modern wood-burning appliance to provide safe burning conditions and better air quality.

Georgia’s 25 million acres of forest land provide a valuable, renewable resource that has great potential to fuel the state’s energy needs. McClure expects the state’s 7.4 million acres of pine plantations will soon begin to contribute to industrial and commercial energy uses and to the production of ethanol and a “green” diesel.

For more information on firewood use and Georgia forestry, visit www.gatrees.org.

login to post comments