| A question that people commonly ask is, should I | | | | and burn faster but can produce a more intense heat. |
| burn hard or soft wood? The answer depends on | | | | This makes softwood a better choice for starting |
| what your burning needs are. This short article will | | | | fires and getting a lot of heat in a shorter amount of |
| help you decide which is best for you. | | | | time. This is like the difference between paper and |
| Hardwoods come from broadleaf trees such as oak, | | | | cardboard. Paper will ignite easily and burn fast and |
| hickory, and maple. Softwoods come from trees with | | | | intense while cardboard will burn slow and less intense |
| needles such as fir, pine and cedar. Hardwoods are | | | | over a longer period of time. |
| often more dense and harder than softwoods but | | | | For open fires in a fireplace or outdoor fire such as a |
| not always. For example cottonwood, alder and | | | | campfire your best choice will also depend on what |
| aspen are broadleaf trees so they are technically | | | | your burning needs are. If you want nice big flames |
| hardwood although they are softer and less dense | | | | softwood will be the right choice. If you want a long |
| than some softwoods such as douglas fir or larch. | | | | lasting bed of coals that will produce a lot of long |
| Hard dense hardwoods have more energy and burn | | | | lasting radiant heat then hardwood will be the right |
| longer than softer woods so they produce more | | | | choice. |
| heat over a longer period of time. These properties | | | | For home heating my opinion is that it's best to have |
| make hardwood an excellent choice for heating with | | | | both hardwoods and softwoods. Softwoods for |
| a wood stove to maintain a comfortable temperature | | | | getting a fire started and when you want a surge of |
| in your home. | | | | intense heat and hardwood for maintaining a |
| Softwoods are lighter and less dense ignite easier | | | | comfortable radiant heat after after it's started. |