14
Wood species Energy yield
(millions of BTU/cord)
Oak 29
Sugar Maple 28
Beech 26
Yellow birch 25
Ash 24
High energy yield
Elm 23
Larch (Tamarack) 23
Red Maple 23
Douglas red fir 23
Silver birch 22
Alder 18
Poplar 17
Medium energy yield
Hemlock 17
Spruce 17
Pine 17
Bass 16
Low energy yield
Fir 13
Data provided by Energy, Mines and Resources - Canada
IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE DRY WOOD ONLY IN YOUR WOOD
STOVE. The wood must have dried for 9 to 15 months, such that the humidity content (in
weight) is reduced below 20% of the weight of the log. It is very important to keep in mind
that even if the wood has been cut since one, two or even more years, it is not necessarily
dry, if it has been stored in poor conditions; under extreme conditions, it may even rot
instead of drying. The vast majority of the problems related to the operation of a wood
stove are caused by the fact that the wood used was too damp or had dried in poor
conditions. These problems can be:
• ignition problems
• creosote build-up causing chimney fires
• low energy yield
• blackened windows
• incomplete log combustion
Smaller pieces of wood will dry faster. All logs exceeding 6" in diameter should be split.
The wood should not be stored directly on the ground. Air should circulate through the
cord. A 24" to 48" air space should be left between each row of logs, which should be
placed in the sunniest location possible. The upper layer of wood should be protected
from the element but not the sides.
When the stove is thoroughly warmed, place one piece of split wood (about five inches in
diameter) parallel to the door on the bed of red embers.
Keep the air control full open by pulling on it and close the door. If ignition of the piece is
accomplished within 90 seconds from the time it was placed in the stove, your wood is
correctly dried. If ignition takes longer, your wood is damp.