Firewood Facts
Firewood is generally sold by volume, the most common measure being the cord. Other terms often employed are face cord, rick, or often just a truckload. A standard cord of firewood is 128 cubic feet of wood, measured as a stacked pile of wood 8 feet long by 4 feet tall by 4 feet deep. A face cord is also 8 feet long by 4 feet tall, but it is only as deep as the wood is cut, so a face cord of 16" wood actually is only 1/3 of a cord, 24" wood is 1/2 of a cord, etc.

A rick is simply a pile, and truck sizes obviously vary, so it is very important that you get all of this straight with the seller before agreeing on a price since there is much room for misunderstanding. It is best to have your wood storage area set up in standard 4 or 8 foot increments, and pay the seller the extra few dollars to stack the wood.

Although firewood is usually sold by volume, heat production is dependent on weight. Pound for pound, all wood has approximately the same BTU content, but a cord of seasoned hardwood weighs about twice as much as the same volume of softwood because it is denser. It contains almost twice as much potential heat. This means that you will have to load your stove or fireplace less often if you purchase hardwood, but it is certainly ok to use soft wood, too. Mixed wood costs less per cord.

NEVER burn any construction scraps of treated or painted wood, especially treated wood from decks or landscaping ties. The chemicals used can release dangerous amounts of arsenic and other toxic compounds into your house. Never burn plastic because it releases toxic chemicals.

If the wood you bought turned out to be green and you try to burn it anyway, be sure to have the chimney checked more often than usual because creosote may build up very quickly.