Firewood BTU Chart: Heat Value by Wood Species
Firewood BTU chart: million Btu per cord for Osage orange, hickory, locust, oak, ash, elm, pine and more, from Missouri Department of Conservation.
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Dense hardwoods hold the most heat. On Missouri Department of Conservation's chart, Osage orange leads at 30.7 million Btu per cord, then hickory (29.1), black locust (28.1) and white oak (27.0). Cottonwood is lowest at 16.1, so a cord of it gives about half the heat of a cord of Osage orange.
The chart
| Species | Million Btu per cord |
|---|---|
| Osage orange | 30.7 |
| Hickory | 29.1 |
| Black locust | 28.1 |
| White oak | 27.0 |
| Red oak | 25.3 |
| Ash | 23.6 |
| Elm | 21.4 |
| Shortleaf pine | 19.0 |
| Eastern redcedar | 18.9 |
| Boxelder | 17.5 |
| Cottonwood | 16.1 |
Reading it
- Heat is per cord (128 cubic feet), so it compares cords, not pieces.
- Values assume properly dried wood; Missouri says denser woods deliver more heat if properly dried.
- Wet wood wastes heat boiling off water and builds creosote, the same article warns.
Work out the heat in your stack with the cord calculator. Drying: how to season firewood. Splitting dense hardwood: what size log splitter.
Frequently asked questions
What firewood burns hottest?
Osage orange (30.7 million Btu per cord) on Missouri's chart, then hickory and black locust.
Is oak good firewood?
Yes: white oak 27.0 and red oak 25.3 million Btu per cord on Missouri's chart, if seasoned well.
Is pine bad firewood?
It holds less heat per cord (shortleaf pine 19.0 on Missouri's chart) but burns fine when dry.
How many BTUs in a cord of hickory?
29.1 million Btu, per Missouri Department of Conservation. That is among the highest on Missouri's chart, behind only Osage orange.
What is a BTU?
The heat needed to raise one pound of water by 1 degree F. Firewood heat is usually quoted in millions of Btu per cord.
Sources
- Home Heating, Missouri Department of Conservation
- Firewood and Stove Wood Regulations, Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
- Best Wood-Burning Practices, US EPA Burn Wise
Cover photo: 20171130-NY-GER-001 by usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark, via Flickr. Cropped.
Related guides
Firewood Cord Calculator: How Many Cords (and BTUs) Are in Your Stack?
Measure a stack, get cords, face-cord share and million Btu by species.
How to Measure a Cord of Wood (and What a Face Cord Really Is)
Check a firewood delivery: 128 cubic feet, measured the right way.
How to Season Firewood: Splitting, Stacking and Drying Time
EPA's rules for drying firewood, and how to tell when it is ready.