The Best Firewood for Log Burners in Cumbria — and Why Summer is the Time to Buy

As tree surgeons based in Grange-over-Sands, we produce hardwood timber as a direct byproduct of our work across Cumbria and Lancashire. That puts us in an unusual position: we know exactly where our firewood comes from, how it has been stored, and what its moisture content is before it leaves us. This article shares some of what we've learned about what makes good firewood — and the single most important thing most people get wrong about buying logs.

Hardwood vs Softwood — Which is Better for a Log Burner?

For log burners, wood-burning stoves and open fires, hardwood is almost always the better choice. Here's why:

• Hardwood burns hotter and longer — denser wood means more energy per log and a longer, steadier burn
• Less creosote — hardwood produces less tar and creosote than softwood, reducing the risk of chimney fires
• Less smoke — properly seasoned hardwood produces significantly less smoke than softwood or unseasoned wood

The best hardwood species for firewood in the UK include oak, ash (pre-dieback), beech, birch and alder. We supply mixed hardwood from our work across the Cumbria region — predominantly oak, ash and other native broadleaf species.

The Most Important Factor: Moisture Content

The single biggest difference between good and poor firewood is not species — it's moisture content. Burning wet or unseasoned wood is one of the most common mistakes log burner owners make. Here's what happens:

• Wet wood has lower energy output — a significant proportion of the heat produced goes into evaporating water rather than heating your room
• Wet wood produces vastly more smoke and particulates — not great for air quality or your neighbours
• Wet wood produces much more creosote — increasing the risk of chimney fires
• Since 2021, UK regulations (the Ready to Burn scheme) require wood sold in volumes under 2 cubic metres to have a moisture content of 20% or less

All our barn-dried logs are stored in metal IBC containers for up to 12 months and have a moisture content of 20% or less — ready to burn immediately. We can also supply green (unseasoned) wood for customers who have the storage space to season their own logs.

How to Check Moisture Content

A moisture meter is a worthwhile investment if you use a log burner regularly — they cost as little as £15-20 and give you an instant reading. Simply push the pins into a freshly split piece of wood. Under 20% is the target for efficient burning; below 15% is ideal.

Why Summer is the Best Time to Buy Firewood in Cumbria

This is the advice that saves our customers money every year. Most people think about firewood in October or November when the cold weather arrives. By then, the best quality dry hardwood is in high demand, prices can be higher, and stocks of the driest logs are often depleted.

Buying in summer means:

• Better availability — you get first pick of the driest, best quality stock
• More time to stack and air — even barn-dried logs benefit from a few weeks in a sheltered log store
• No panic buying — you're not scrambling for logs when the first cold snap hits
• Planning ahead — if you want green wood to season yourself, summer delivery gives it the maximum drying time before winter

How Much Wood Do You Need?

As a rough guide for a typical Cumbria home with a log burner used regularly through the winter:

• Light use (2-3 evenings per week) — 1-2 cubic metres
• Regular use (most evenings) — 2-4 cubic metres
• Main heating source — 4-8+ cubic metres depending on the size of the home and efficiency of the stove

Our barn-dried IBC crates contain 1 cubic metre of logs each. Our green wood is sold by the crate too, making it easy to calculate quantities.

Order Firewood in Cumbria

We deliver barn-dried seasoned hardwood logs and green wood across Grange-over-Sands, Cartmel, Kendal, Ulverston, Windermere, Lancaster and all surrounding areas in Cumbria and Lancashire. Free delivery. Orders placed online or by phone.

Order firewood here or call 07376804724.