Birch for Firewood

Birch logs ready for the fire.

Picking the right firewood can mean the difference between a warm, cozy night in front of a fire and long night struggling to sustain a fire for heat. Birch is a type of firewood that promises the former.

Availability.

Large birch tree range.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, birch's natural range covers most of the northern half of the U.S. and Canada. The USDA lists all species of birch with a rapid growth rate, and it is found near most campsites throughout the upper half of North America.

Processing Ease

Ease of cutting with handsaw.

Birch wood is considered a hardwood yet is easily workable--using a handsaw, ax, hatchet or chainsaw to cut it is an easier task than cutting typical hardwoods such as maple, oak or hickory. Birch is commonly found in beaver dams as beavers enjoy the tender yet sturdy wood for bracing their dens.

Heat Generation

Fire putting off large amounts of heat.

Energy content of one air-dried cord or a stack equaling 128 cubic feet of yellow birch is around 26,200,000 BTUs, making it a prime choice for firewood due to the relatively high heat output.

References

• United States Department of Agriculture; Plants Profile
• Dave's Garden; Firewood
• Wood Heat; Preparing Your Fuel Supply

Resources

• Wood Heat; Wood