It’s maybe the question we hear the more frequently, and it’s totally normal. The usage will define what will be your best choice based on the comparison below.
| Species | Heating Value * (million Btu per facecord) |
Sparks | Bark Appearance | Splitting |
| Jack Pine | 5.6 | Yes | Brown, Scales | Moderate |
| White Birch | 7.8 | No | White, Smooth | Easy |
| Yellow Birch | 8.7 | No | Yellow, Smooth | Moderate |
| Hard Maple (Sugar) | 9.7 | No | Grey, Rough | Difficult |
| Red Oak | 9.1 | No | Grey, Rough | Easy |
*Air dried wood for Ontario trees