What is Firewood?
Firewood is any wooden material that is gathered and used for fuel. Generally, firewood is not heavily processed and is in some sort of recognizable log or branch form, compared to other forms of wood fuel like pellets.
Firewood can be seasoned and heat treated (dry) or unseasoned (fresh/wet).
Best Firewood In South Africa
Blue Gum
Originally introduced to South Africa by Australian settlers, this much-prized hardwood variety has flourished and become an enduring staple of the timber industries.
As a firewood, blue gum is notoriously difficult to process as it often does not grow straight and its aromatic eucalyptus wood can take a long time to fully season.
When burnt, blue gum comes into its own, burning long and hot with minimal smoke and a distinctive eucalyptus aroma long into the night.
Black Wattle
Also known as myrtle wood and pepperwood, the black wattle is a slightly soft wood that is favored for use in pizza ovens. It burns hotly and the characteristic long straight sticks are ideal for getting a good fire going quickly.
Rooikrans
This Acacia species was introduced from Australia and is well known as excellent firewood, especially across the Western Cape where it flourishes. This is a great choice for a distinctive aromatic burn.
Kameeldoring
This is an iconic SA native, suited to growing in the dusty, sandy soils across Southern Africa. Its hard dense red-toned wood is excellent for a wood-burning stove as it burns richly and produces good coals.
Its low moisture content exceeds even seasoned wood for an incredibly efficient burn with all the aroma and atmosphere of the bushveld.
What is the highest quality firewood?
Best Firewoods by Heat Value
- Ironwood.
- Mesquite.
- Red oak.
- Shagbark hickory.
- Sugar maple.
- White ash.
- White oak.
- Yellow birch.
What wood burns longest and hottest?
For the serious fire lover, you may want to invest in hardwoods like madrone, live oak, ash, hickory, walnut, and fruit trees like apple or cherry.
Hardwoods are denser woods that burn hotter and longer than softwoods, but you’ll need to let them season for more than a year.
What is the longest-lasting firewood?
Seasoned hardwoods make the best firewood. Hardwoods like oak, cherry, and maple are denser than softwoods like pine or cedar. Due to their density, they burn longer and produce more heat or BTUs.