Which firewood should you choose? Oak, beech, hornbeam, ash compared
Choosing your firewood is about more than just ordering "wood." The species, moisture content, and log length have a direct impact on the heat produced, the buildup in your flue, and your daily ease of use. In this guide, we compare the four most commonly used hardwoods in France—oak, beech, hornbeam, and ash—and provide you with the essential benchmarks for making the right purchase.
Hardwoods, softwoods, and resinous woods: the main families
Firewood is generally classified into three families:
- Hardwoods (oak, beech, hornbeam, ash, maple, fruitwoods, etc.): dense, they burn slowly and produce excellent embers. These are the go-to species for primary heating.
- Softwoods (birch, poplar, linden, willow, etc.): lighter, they ignite quickly and burn down fast. They are well-suited for starting a fire or for a quick, short-lived blaze.
- Resinous woods (pine, spruce, fir, etc.): rich in resin, they burn rapidly with a bright flame. Used alone and if not properly dried, they can promote buildup. They are better reserved for kindling, unless otherwise indicated by your appliance manufacturer.
One often overlooked point: for an equal mass and equal moisture level, different wood species release roughly the same amount of energy (around 4 kWh per kilo for dry wood, as an indicative value). The real difference lies in density: a cubic meter (stere) of hornbeam weighs significantly more than a stere of poplar and therefore contains more energy for the same storage volume.
Oak, beech, hornbeam, ash: the comparison
Oak: the enduring choice
Oak is one of the most common types of firewood. Very dense, it burns slowly and produces long-lasting embers, ideal for maintaining steady heat throughout the night. Its trade-off: it dries slowly. Rich in tannins, oak that is not dry enough will smoke, blacken the glass, and clog the flue. Generally, allow for at least two years of sheltered drying after felling. It is also harder to ignite: it is best added to a bed of well-established embers.
Beech: the versatile choice
Beech is appreciated for its beautiful, clear flame and ease of ignition. It heats well and dries faster than oak (often within 18 months to two years, depending on conditions). Its embers last a little less time, making it excellent for evening fires and daily heating, whether used alone or in a mixture.
Hornbeam: the benchmark
Hornbeam is often considered one of the best types of firewood. Very dense, it offers a combination of a bright flame, intense heat, and long-lasting embers. It produces few sparks and is quite difficult to split, which is why it is often found as whole logs or logs split mechanically. Like oak, it requires careful drying to perform at its best.
Ash: the easiest to manage
Ash burns cleanly with a beautiful flame and splits easily. It has a naturally lower moisture content than other species while still standing, which allows it to be ready slightly sooner. Its embers are somewhat less durable than those of oak or hornbeam, but it remains very good firewood that is pleasant to use.
In summary
- For long-lasting embers and background heat: oak or hornbeam.
- For a beautiful flame and easy ignition: beech or ash.
- For versatile use: a mixture of hardwoods, which is very common commercially, offers a good compromise.
The #1 criterion: truly dry wood
Whatever the species, damp wood provides poor heating. Part of the energy is used to evaporate the water instead of heating your room; combustion is incomplete, the glass blackens, and creosote deposits accumulate in the flue, which increases the risk of a chimney fire.
Wood is considered dry when its moisture content is below 20%. To check this:
- use a moisture meter by measuring on a freshly split surface, in the heart of the log;
- observe the ends: dry wood often displays radial cracks and peeling bark;
- strike two logs against each other: a clear, dry sound is a good sign, whereas a dull thud generally indicates wood that is still damp.
What log length should you choose?
The length should be chosen according to the size of your appliance's firebox, which is indicated in the manual. Common lengths are:
- 25 cm: for small stoves and compact fireboxes;
- 33 cm: the most common format for wood stoves and many inserts;
- 50 cm: for large fireboxes, open fireplaces, and wide inserts.
Always leave a few centimeters of space between the log and the sides of the firebox. Split logs (with a smaller cross-section) ignite more easily and are well-suited to modern stoves, which function better with several medium-sized logs than with one large log.
Storing your firewood properly
- Store wood outdoors, under shelter: covered on top, but open on the sides to allow air circulation.
- Elevate the piles (using pallets or wooden beams) to avoid contact with ground moisture.
- If possible, position the woodpile facing the prevailing winds and sunlight.
- Only bring the quantity needed for a few days indoors: this allows the wood to finish warming up and burn better.
Errors to avoid
- Burning treated, painted, varnished, or pressed wood (pallets, furniture, particleboard): these release toxic fumes and clog the installation.
- Lighting the fire with gasoline or alcohol: use appropriate firelighters and kindling.
- Overloading the firebox: follow the maximum load recommended by the manufacturer.
- Neglecting chimney sweeping: have your flue swept according to regulations and your insurer's recommendations (at least once a year, often twice for primary heating).
To go further
Wondering how much to order? Consult our guide How many steres of wood do you need to get through the winter?. And if you are hesitant about other fuels, read Logs, densified logs, or pellets: what should you choose?
Our products for effective heating
Find our selection of dried firewood in different lengths in the Firewood & logs collection, as well as firelighters in Charcoal & firelighters. A few products to get you started: