Even though Spring is upon us, it’s important to know the safest wood to use come next fall. Believe it or not, not all wood is safe to use in your fireplace. You’ll want to educate yourself on how different types of wood burn, and what effect that will have on your chimney.
Resinous wood, such as conifers with needles, burns with much heavier smoke. This heavy smoke leads to higher build-up of creosote, which can catch fire. This burning creosote can cause cracks in masonry chimneys. Hardwoods, like oak, hickory, maple and ash, usually burn clean and efficient.
Be careful when using scrap wood, like that which you find at a construction site. This wood is often treated or painted. Burning it will release dangerous chemicals, and make the air inside your home unsafe to breath.
Lastly, season the wood you want to use for several months in a dry place. Remember, wet wood will release more of the highly flammable creosote, thus raising your chimney maintenance bill.