best types of firewood for alaska

15 Best Types Of Firewood For Alaska: Ultimate Heat Guide

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When it comes to surviving Alaska’s long, frigid winters, choosing the right firewood is crucial. The 15 best types of firewood for Alaska offer a combination of high heat output, long burn times, and local availability. Whether you’re a seasoned Alaskan resident or new to the Last Frontier, understanding the characteristics of different wood types can make a significant difference in keeping your home warm and your heating costs manageable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top firewood options for Alaska, considering factors such as heat production, smoke output, ease of splitting, and sustainability. From the dense hardwoods to the aromatic softwoods, we’ll help you make an informed decision to keep your hearth blazing through even the coldest Alaskan nights.

Contents

15 best types of firewood for alaska

  1. Birch: Alaska’s Golden Standard
  2. Spruce: The Abundant Choice
  3. Tamarack (Larch): The Long-Burning Option
  4. Alder: Quick-Burning and Readily Available
  5. Cottonwood: The Starter Wood
  6. Aspen: Light but Effective
  7. Willow: The Sustainable Option
  8. Mountain Ash: Dense and High-Heat Producing
  9. Maple: Hard and Hot-Burning
  10. Oak: The Heat Powerhouse
  11. Hemlock: Sparky but Useful
  12. Cedar: Aromatic and Quick-Igniting
  13. Pine: Readily Available Softwood
  14. Douglas Fir: Strong and Steady Heat
  15. Elm: Dense and Long-Lasting
Comparison of Firewood Types for Alaska
Wood Type Heat Output (BTUs/Cord) Burn Time Smoke Production Ease of Splitting Availability in Alaska
Birch 23.6 million Moderate Low Easy High
Spruce 15.5 million Fast Moderate Easy Very High
Tamarack 23.8 million Long Low Moderate Moderate
Alder 17.5 million Fast Low Easy High
Cottonwood 15.8 million Fast Moderate Difficult High
Aspen 16.7 million Moderate Low Easy High
Willow 17.6 million Fast Moderate Easy High
Mountain Ash 24.4 million Long Low Difficult Low
Maple 25.5 million Long Low Moderate Low
Oak 26.8 million Very Long Low Difficult Very Low
Hemlock 15.9 million Moderate High Moderate Moderate
Cedar 12.2 million Fast Moderate Easy Moderate
Pine 15.2 million Fast High Easy High
Douglas Fir 20.7 million Moderate Moderate Moderate Low
Elm 20.0 million Long Low Very Difficult Very Low

Now, let’s dive into the detailed exploration of each firewood type:

1. Birch: Alaska’s Golden Standard

Birch is often considered the gold standard of firewood in Alaska, and for good reason. Its abundance, high heat output, and clean-burning properties make it a top choice for many Alaskan households.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Birch produces an impressive 23.6 million BTUs per cord, providing excellent warmth during cold Alaskan nights.
  • Burn Time: It offers a moderate burn time, striking a balance between quick ignition and sustained heat.
  • Smoke Production: Birch is known for its low smoke output, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • Ease of Splitting: With its straight grain, birch is relatively easy to split, especially when seasoned properly.

Availability and Sustainability

Birch is highly available throughout much of Alaska, particularly in the interior and southcentral regions. The two most common species are paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and Alaska birch (Betula neoalaskana). These trees regenerate quickly, making birch a sustainable choice when harvested responsibly.

Best Practices for Use

To get the most out of birch firewood:

  1. Season it properly for at least 6-12 months before use.
  2. Store it off the ground and protected from rain and snow.
  3. Use it in combination with slower-burning woods for optimal heat management.

2. Spruce: The Abundant Choice

Spruce is one of the most abundant tree species in Alaska, making it a common and accessible firewood choice for many residents.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Spruce produces about 15.5 million BTUs per cord, which is lower than some hardwoods but still provides decent heat.
  • Burn Time: It burns relatively quickly, making it excellent for starting fires or for use on milder days.
  • Smoke Production: Spruce tends to produce moderate amounts of smoke and can be somewhat sparky.
  • Ease of Splitting: Its straight grain and softwood nature make spruce easy to split, even by hand.

Availability and Sustainability

Both white spruce (Picea glauca) and black spruce (Picea mariana) are widely available across Alaska. Their rapid growth and abundance make them a sustainable choice when harvested properly.

Best Practices for Use

To maximize the benefits of spruce firewood:

  1. Ensure it’s well-seasoned to reduce moisture content and improve burn efficiency.
  2. Use it in combination with denser hardwoods for longer-lasting fires.
  3. Be cautious of its tendency to spark, especially in open fireplaces.

3. Tamarack (Larch): The Long-Burning Option

Tamarack, also known as larch, is a deciduous conifer that offers excellent burning qualities, making it a prized firewood in Alaska.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Tamarack produces about 23.8 million BTUs per cord, rivaling many hardwoods in heat production.
  • Burn Time: It burns slowly and steadily, providing long-lasting heat.
  • Smoke Production: Tamarack produces relatively low amounts of smoke when properly seasoned.
  • Ease of Splitting: It can be moderately difficult to split due to its dense nature and sometimes twisted grain.

Availability and Sustainability

While not as abundant as birch or spruce, tamarack (Larix laricina) is found in various parts of Alaska, particularly in boggy areas and the interior. Its slower growth rate means it should be harvested judiciously to ensure sustainability.

Best Practices for Use

To get the best results from tamarack firewood:

  1. Allow for extended seasoning time, ideally 1-2 years, due to its density.
  2. Split logs soon after cutting to speed up the drying process.
  3. Use it as a primary heat source during the coldest months due to its high heat output and long burn time.

4. Alder: Quick-Burning and Readily Available

Alder is a popular firewood choice in Alaska, particularly in coastal and southcentral regions where it grows abundantly.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Alder produces about 17.5 million BTUs per cord, offering moderate heat output.
  • Burn Time: It burns relatively quickly, making it ideal for shoulder seasons or milder winter days.
  • Smoke Production: When properly seasoned, alder burns cleanly with low smoke output.
  • Ease of Splitting: Alder is generally easy to split, especially when green.

Availability and Sustainability

Red alder (Alnus rubra) and thinleaf alder (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia) are common in many parts of Alaska. These fast-growing trees are considered a sustainable firewood source when harvested responsibly.

Best Practices for Use

To optimize the use of alder firewood:

  1. Season it for at least 6-9 months before burning.
  2. Use it in combination with slower-burning woods for all-night fires.
  3. Consider using alder for smoking food, as it imparts a mild, sweet flavor.

5. Cottonwood: The Starter Wood

Cottonwood, while not ideal as a primary heat source, plays a valuable role in the Alaskan firewood ecosystem.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Cottonwood produces about 15.8 million BTUs per cord, which is on the lower end of the spectrum.
  • Burn Time: It burns quickly and doesn’t produce long-lasting coals.
  • Smoke Production: Cottonwood can produce moderate amounts of smoke, especially if not properly seasoned.
  • Ease of Splitting: It can be difficult to split, particularly when the wood is wet or stringy.

Availability and Sustainability

Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) and black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) are common throughout much of Alaska. Their rapid growth makes them a sustainable choice when managed properly.

Best Practices for Use

To make the most of cottonwood:

  1. Use it primarily as a starter wood or for kindling due to its quick-burning nature.
  2. Ensure it’s well-seasoned to reduce smoke production.
  3. Mix it with denser, longer-burning woods for sustained heat.

6. Aspen: Light but Effective

Aspen is another common deciduous tree in Alaska that serves as a useful firewood option, particularly in the interior regions.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Aspen produces about 16.7 million BTUs per cord, offering moderate heat output.
  • Burn Time: It burns at a moderate rate, faster than hardwoods but slower than some softwoods.
  • Smoke Production: When properly seasoned, aspen burns cleanly with low smoke output.
  • Ease of Splitting: Aspen is generally easy to split, making it convenient for processing.

Availability and Sustainability

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is widely available in many parts of Alaska. Its rapid growth and ability to regenerate through root suckers make it a sustainable firewood choice when harvested responsibly.

Best Practices for Use

To optimize the use of aspen firewood:

  1. Season it for at least 6-9 months before burning to reduce moisture content.
  2. Use it in combination with denser woods for longer-lasting fires.
  3. Consider using aspen for outdoor cooking or campfires due to its clean burn and pleasant aroma.

7. Willow: The Sustainable Option

Willow is abundant in many parts of Alaska and can be a good supplementary firewood option, especially in areas where other types are scarce.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Willow produces about 17.6 million BTUs per cord, providing moderate heat.
  • Burn Time: It burns relatively quickly, similar to other softwoods.
  • Smoke Production: Willow can produce moderate smoke, especially if not well-seasoned.
  • Ease of Splitting: Most willow species are easy to split, particularly when green.

Availability and Sustainability

Various willow species (Salix spp.) are found throughout Alaska, particularly in riparian areas and tundra regions. Their rapid growth and ability to regrow after cutting make them a highly sustainable firewood source.

Best Practices for Use

To make the most of willow firewood:

  1. Ensure it’s well-seasoned to improve burn efficiency and reduce smoke.
  2. Use it in combination with denser, longer-burning woods for sustained heat.
  3. Consider using smaller willow branches for kindling or quick, hot fires.

8. Mountain Ash: Dense and High-Heat Producing

While not as common as some other species, mountain ash can be an excellent firewood choice in Alaska where available.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Mountain ash produces about 24.4 million BTUs per cord, offering high heat output.
  • Burn Time: It burns slowly and steadily, providing long-lasting heat.
  • Smoke Production: When seasoned properly, mountain ash burns cleanly with low smoke output.
  • Ease of Splitting: It can be difficult to split due to its dense nature and sometimes twisted grain.

Availability and Sustainability

Sitka mountain ash (Sorbus sitchensis) is found in coastal and south-central Alaska. While not as abundant as some other species, it can be a valuable firewood source when available.

Best Practices for Use

To optimize the use of mountain ash firewood:

  1. Allow for extended seasoning time, ideally 1-2 years, due to its density.
  2. Split logs soon after cutting to speed up the drying process.
  3. Use it as a primary heat source during the coldest months due to its high heat output and long burn time.

9. Maple: Hard and Hot-Burning

While not native to most of Alaska, maple can be found in some southeastern parts of the state and is an excellent firewood where available.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Maple produces about 25.5 million BTUs per cord, providing excellent heat.
  • Burn Time: It burns slowly and steadily, offering long-lasting warmth.
  • Smoke Production: Maple burns cleanly with minimal smoke when properly seasoned.
  • Ease of Splitting: It can be moderately difficult to split, especially in larger diameters.

Availability and Sustainability

Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) can be found in some parts of southeastern Alaska. While not widely available, it’s a sustainable option when harvested responsibly in areas where it grows.

Best Practices for Use

To get the best results from maple firewood:

  1. Season for at least 12-18 months before burning due to its density.
  2. Split logs when green for easier processing and faster drying.
  3. Use as a primary heat source during the coldest months due to its excellent heat output and long burn time.

10. Oak: The Heat Powerhouse

Oak is renowned for its exceptional firewood qualities, though it’s not native to Alaska and is rarely available except as imported firewood.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Oak produces about 26.8 million BTUs per cord, one of the highest heat outputs of any firewood.
  • Burn Time: It burns very slowly, providing long-lasting heat throughout the night.
  • Smoke Production: When properly seasoned, oak burns cleanly with minimal smoke.
  • Ease of Splitting: Oak can be difficult to split, especially in larger diameters or when dealing with knotty pieces.

Availability and Sustainability

Oak is not native to Alaska and is rarely available except as imported firewood. Due to its scarcity, it’s not typically considered a sustainable option for regular use in Alaska.

Best Practices for Use

If you do have access to oak firewood in Alaska:

  1. Season it for at least 1-2 years before burning due to its high density.
  2. Use it sparingly, perhaps mixing it with more readily available woods to extend its use.
  3. Consider it a luxury firewood for special occasions or extremely cold nights.

11. Hemlock: Sparky but Useful

Hemlock is a conifer that’s common in certain parts of Alaska, particularly in the coastal regions.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Hemlock produces about 15.9 million BTUs per cord, offering moderate heat output.
  • Burn Time: It burns at a moderate rate, faster than most hardwoods but slower than some softwoods.
  • Smoke Production: Hemlock can produce significant smoke and tends to be quite sparky.
  • Ease of Splitting: It’s moderately easy to split, though knots can sometimes pose challenges.

Availability and Sustainability

Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is common in coastal Alaska, particularly in the southeast. Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) is found at higher elevations. Both are considered sustainable when harvested responsibly.

Best Practices for Use

To optimize the use of hemlock firewood:

  1. Ensure it’s well-seasoned to reduce moisture content and improve burn efficiency.
  2. Use caution when burning in open fireplaces due to its tendency to throw sparks.
  3. Consider mixing it with denser hardwoods for longer-lasting fires.

12. Cedar: Aromatic and Quick-Igniting

Cedar, while not ideal as a primary heat source, has unique properties that make it valuable in certain situations.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Cedar produces about 12.2 million BTUs per cord, which is relatively low.
  • Burn Time: It burns quickly and doesn’t produce long-lasting coals.
  • Smoke Production: Cedar produces moderate smoke but has a pleasant, aromatic scent.
  • Ease of Splitting: Cedar is generally easy to split, even by hand.

Availability and Sustainability

Alaska yellow cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata) are found in coastal Alaska, particularly in the southeast. While not as abundant as some other species, they can be sustainably harvested when managed properly.

Best Practices for Use

To make the most of cedar firewood:

  1. Use it primarily for kindling or starting fires due to its quick-igniting nature.
  2. Consider using small amounts for its aromatic properties, especially in outdoor settings.
  3. Mix it with denser, longer-burning woods for sustained heat.

13. Pine: Readily Available Softwood

Pine is a common softwood in many parts of Alaska and can be a useful firewood option, especially when mixed with hardwoods.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Pine produces about 15.2 million BTUs per cord, offering moderate heat output.
  • Burn Time: It burns relatively quickly and doesn’t produce long-lasting coals.
  • Smoke Production: Pine can produce significant smoke and tends to be quite sparky, especially if not well-seasoned.
  • Ease of Splitting: Pine is generally easy to split due to its straight grain.

Availability and Sustainability

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) is found in parts of interior Alaska, while shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta) is common in coastal areas. These fast-growing trees are considered sustainable when harvested responsibly.

Best Practices for Use

To optimize the use of pine firewood:

  1. Ensure it’s well-seasoned (at least 6-12 months) to reduce sap content and improve burn efficiency.
  2. Use caution when burning in open fireplaces due to its tendency to throw sparks.
  3. Mix it with denser hardwoods for longer-lasting fires and better overall heat output.

14. Douglas Fir: Strong and Steady Heat

While not native to most of Alaska, Douglas fir can be found in some southeastern parts of the state and is an excellent firewood where available.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Douglas fir produces about 20.7 million BTUs per cord, providing good heat output.
  • Burn Time: It burns at a moderate rate, offering a balance between quick ignition and sustained heat.
  • Smoke Production: When properly seasoned, Douglas fir burns cleanly with moderate smoke output.
  • Ease of Splitting: It’s moderately easy to split, though knots can sometimes pose challenges.

Availability and Sustainability

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is found in some parts of southeastern Alaska. While not widely available, it’s a sustainable option when harvested responsibly in areas where it grows.

Best Practices for Use

To get the best results from Douglas fir firewood:

  1. Season for at least 6-12 months before burning to reduce moisture content.
  2. Split logs when green for easier processing and faster drying.
  3. Use as a good all-around firewood, suitable for both quick fires and longer burns.

15. Elm: Dense and Long-Lasting

Elm is not native to Alaska and is rarely available except as imported firewood. However, its properties make it worth mentioning for those who might have access to it.

Characteristics

  • Heat Output: Elm produces about 20.0 million BTUs per cord, offering good heat output.
  • Burn Time: It burns slowly and steadily, providing long-lasting heat.
  • Smoke Production: When properly seasoned, elm burns cleanly with low smoke output.
  • Ease of Splitting: Elm is notoriously difficult to split due to its interlocking grain.

Availability and Sustainability

Elm is not native to Alaska and is rarely available except as imported firewood. Due to its scarcity, it’s not typically considered a sustainable option for regular use in Alaska.

Best Practices for Use

If you do have access to elm firewood in Alaska:

  1. Season it for at least 1-2 years before burning due to its density.
  2. Consider using a hydraulic splitter or splitting maul due to its difficult-to-split nature.
  3. Use it sparingly, perhaps mixing it with more readily available woods to extend its use.

FAQ

What is the best overall firewood for Alaska?

Birch is often considered the best overall firewood for Alaska due to its high heat output, moderate burn time, low smoke production, and wide availability throughout the state. However, the “best” firewood can vary depending on specific needs and local availability.

How long should firewood be seasoned before use?

Most firewood should be seasoned for at least 6-12 months before use. Denser hardwoods like oak or maple may require 1-2 years of seasoning. Proper seasoning reduces moisture content, improves burn efficiency, and reduces smoke production.

Can I burn green (unseasoned) wood?

While it’s possible to burn green wood, it’s not recommended. Green wood contains high moisture content, which leads to inefficient burning, excessive smoke production, and potential creosote buildup in chimneys. Always use properly seasoned firewood for best results and safety.

Conclusion

Selecting the right firewood is essential for enduring Alaska’s harsh winters. While native species like birch, spruce, and tamarack are often the most practical choices, each wood type offers unique benefits. The ideal strategy for most Alaskans is to use a combination of different woods, leveraging the quick-burning properties of softwoods for fire starting and the long-lasting heat of hardwoods for overnight burns. Proper seasoning and storage are crucial for optimal burning efficiency. By understanding the characteristics of different firewood types and following best practices, you can ensure a warm, efficient, and safe heating experience throughout the long Alaskan winter, while also supporting sustainable forest management practices.

External Resources

  1. Alaska Department of Natural Resources – Firewood Information: https://dnr.alaska.gov/forestry/firewood/
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service – Firewood for Home Heating: https://www.uaf.edu/ces/energy/wood/firewood/
  3. U.S. Forest Service – Measuring Firewood: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/communityforests/?cid=fsbdev2_038351
  4. Alaska Energy Authority – Wood Energy: http://www.akenergyauthority.org/Programs/AEEE/Biomass
  5. TreeRemoval.com – Firewood BTU Comparison Charts: https://www.treeremoval.com/firewood-btu-charts/

These resources provide additional information on firewood selection, preparation, and use specific to Alaska’s unique climate and forest ecosystems. Always consult local experts and follow regional guidelines for the best and most sustainable firewood practices in your area.