# can any tree be used for firewood? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 6, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-tree-be-used-for-firewood/267854 "2004-10-06T15:04:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-tree-be-used-for-firewood/267854/21 "2004-10-07T00:53:36Z")
Due to Dutch Elm, Elm needs to be debarked if stored for firewood. And I concur. It sucks to split. ---
**Author:** ![OliverTwistofLime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b487fb/32.png) [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-tree-be-used-for-firewood/267854/22 "2004-10-07T08:02:27Z")
Citrus and Avacado are less dense woods and burn rapidly. A cord of each is cheaper than Oak but you have to use twice as much of the others to keep a nice fireplace fire going. Oak is great. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-tree-be-used-for-firewood/267854/23 "2004-10-07T15:43:31Z")
For more information than you needed… [http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/howood.htm](http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/howood.htm) Stay away from pine for a fireplace because it pops way too much, sending sparks out into the room (even through a screen). Also don’t be tempted as I was to use some kiln dried lumber scraps (1x6 poplar) for kindling – same probem. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-tree-be-used-for-firewood/267854.md?page=1)