Frequently Asked Questions

There is no set standard or method for 'seasoned' firewood. The term can be applied to any wood that is stored for a period of time to naturally reduce the moisture content between processing and burning.

Firewood that has been air dried and stored under cover for at least 12 months (or 2 summers) can be dried down to around 20% moisture content (depending upon species, climate and storage) and may be suitable for burning on the day purchased. 

For any wood fuel purchased make sure the wood is stored under cover and in the dry before you burn it.

Most modern stoves are efficient, well designed pieces of equipment. The fire box and air flow controls are designed to get the most out of woodfuel with a moisture content of up to and including 20%.

Unseasoned or wet wood can:

• Be difficult to light or keep alight
• Damage your grate or stove, tarring the inside and blackening the glass
• Allow more tar and soot to accumulate in your chimney increasing maintenance costs and risk of chimney fire
• Create a lot of smoke
• Produce less heat

Wood fuel can be from hardwood or softwood tree species (or mixed).

Hardwoods - deciduous, broadleaved tree species, such as Oak, Ash, Birch – are generally better as firewood as they tend to be denser and burn for along period of time.

Softwoods - evergreen, coniferous species such as Spruce – tend to light more easily and can be good for kindling but are less dense so will burn faster and compared to a similar sized hardwood log will provide less heat.

A tonne of dry hardwood logs will occupy a smaller space than a tonne of dry softwood logs.

Different logs will require different amounts of time to get fully seasoned and ready for burning.

Wood felled in the summer contains more sap so will take longer to dry.

DO NOT burn treated waste wood (eg old furniture, pallets or fence panels) or household rubbish

Treated waste wood and household rubbish can emit harmful fumes and toxic pollutants, such are arsenic, into your home when burnt.

If you don’t have a moisture meter you can often get an indication of whether logs are newly felled, partly seasoned or ready to burn by:

• Weight – when comparing logs of similar size and the same species; wet wood is heavier
• Sound – a hollow sound when tapping indicates dry logs
• Cracked ends – can indicate dry wood logs
• Bark - the looser the bark the drier the log
• Colour – dry wood can be light in colour
• Price – wet wood is cheaper as it needs further drying before burning

We offer FREE delivery within a 12 mile radius of Hovingham, within 12-15 miles of Hovingham delivery is charged at £10. For deliveries over 15 miles from Hovingham please contact David on 01653 628037 or email david@hovingham.co.uk. For details of the areas covered view our delivery page. If you have any queries about delivery charges to your area please get in touch on 01653 628037

• When drying timber it should be stacked on bearers (off the ground) in a sunny, windy location, under a waterproof cover with open sides. The stack should be well aired and ideally the prevailing wind should blow through the stack.
• If possible, cross cut logs should be split to less than 10cm diameter. This allows moisture to move from the centre of the log to the surface more easily.
• Natural seasoning is likely to take two summers or more.

Logs should ideally be stored in a weather proof, dry, ventilated area, whether that be a log store, a garage or shed. Ensure the floor beneath the logs is kept dry and well aerated to get the best burn from your logs and keep them in the best condition.

If you keep your logs in a well ventilated, dry storage space they should last for years!

Remember: If you are in a Smoke Control Area you can only legally burn wood on a 'Defra Exempt' stove.

You could face a fine of up to £1,000 if you break the law.