Published on November 26th, 2007 | by Stephanie Evans

5 Steps to Becoming the Greenest Firewood User

Burning anything levies environmental consequences—no exceptions! Burning wood obviously produces smoke and destroys trees, which are a renewable resource when managed sustainably, but this is not usually the case.

Follow these tips to cut back on your fire-inspired pollution “contribution” and win the honorary title of Greenest Firewood User . . .

Buy local wood harvested by the owner of a woodlot who has an investment in the sustainable management of his acreage.
Only burn dry hardwoods. Wood energy is a function of the dry (cured) weight of the wood. Dense, heavy species such as oak, hickory, or eucalyptus give more heat for a given piece of wood, and burning these is thus a more efficient use of a tree than burning lightweight woods like pine and fir. Burning green, uncured wood produces a lot of polluting smoke and is also inefficient, since much of the heat is used to drive off the water (if you can even get the stuff to light).
Replace your old wood stove. Use a properly sized, installed, and maintained appliance with an EPA rating. In the 1980’s, the EPA began limiting the sale of new stoves to clean-burning designs. They produce 90% less air pollution and are at least 30% more efficient than the old stoves, but there are still many old smoke-spouters around. Don’t get an old, illegal stove—it may be cheap, but it’s not a bargain for the environment or for your safety.
Never burn garbage, chemically treated wood, or plywood, as it sends poisons into the air.
Insulate and weather-seal your house. Don’t waste those BTUs!