Firewood

Why use firewood?

Firewood is environmentally friendly because using it results in virtually no ‘fossil’ carbon dioxide being added to our present environment and thus helps minimise the effects of climate change as compared to fossil fuels such as gas, oil or coal. Firewood supply creates local employment in areas which may traditionally struggle. Most importantly Firewood is a renewable resource and it can be used by us and our children and grandchildren if managed correctly.

At Arniston we have re-established our Firewood supply business through reinvigorating our traditional woodland management. This means that firewood can be harvested from thinning, coppicing, and windfall usage undertaken in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable way.

Seasoning and storing logs

Because trees contain a lot of water, freshly cut logs will contain around 50% water and are difficult to burn without some drying or seasoning taking place. Wood felled during one winter should be seasoned over the following summer and burnt the next winter when they should have around 33% moisture.

At Arniston we will only sell you seasoned logs, unless you specifically ask for fresh or green wood to season yourself. Logs are best stored outside but under cover where air but little rain can get to them. If possible bring your next weeks supply into the house and store somewhere warm like near but not next to the fire, stove or boiler.

Burning logs

Some types of tree make better firewood than others. Broadleaved trees (Hardwoods) are denser than softwoods such as pines and provide more heat per similar sized bag or trailer load. In general ash, oak, beech, birch, sycamore, hornbeam are all first class firewood’s. All conifers such as pine, plus sweet chestnut, and turkey oak are liable to throw sparks but can be used if very dry in a closed wood burning stove or boiler.