Our kiln dried logs are available throughout Wiltshire
Why use firewood?
Using firewood logs as fuel 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 using gas, oil or coal.
Firewood supply can create local, rural jobs and revenue and can play a major role in reversing rural economic decline. Firewood is also a sustainable and renewable resource and using it today will not prevent our children and grandchildren from using firewood in the future. Cutting firewood through thinning and coppicing re-establishes traditional woodland management. The decline in this type of practice that has led to the loss or decline of some of our most attractive woodland wildlife.
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. If possible, two years seasoning is best to bring it to 25% moisture content.
Some trees contain naturally less water than others. Freshly felled ash for example contains only a 33% moisture content while fresh poplar has a moisture content of sixty six percent.
A reputable firewood merchant should 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 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 firewoods. 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 woodburning stove or boiler. Alder, willows and poplars are considered poor firewoods due to their high moisture content.
As gas and oil prices rise there has never been a better time to heat your home using firewood as fuel.
Developments in wood stoves have helped increase efficiency and there are many wood stoves designed these days that will sit comfortably in any living room environment.
From traditional country cottages to sleek modern apartments they bring a real warmth to your home and, when fitted with boilers, use the generated energy to heat radiators in other room and provide hot water. To make the most of this wonderful, sustainable fuel it is vital to source the best possible wood logs you can find, so buy from the best, buy from Honeystreet Logs.
