🪵 Which wood for which fire?
Calorific value, density, and drying time for 33 species from Europe, North America, and the boreal zone, plus three species with dangerous smoke — never burn them.
★ North American hickory peaks at 2,700 kWh/stère, compared to 1,200 for poplar: more than double the energy for the same volume.
★ Birch bark lights up even when wet thanks to its betulin oil — it's the most reliable natural tinder in temperate and boreal forests.
★ Yew, oleander, and poison sumac must NEVER be burned: their smoke carries toxins (taxine, glycosides, urushiol) straight into your lungs.
★ Conifers (pine, spruce) catch fire 2 to 3 times faster than hardwoods, but their coals last 4 to 5 times less.
★ Sweet chestnut pops so many sparks (rating 5/5) that it's strongly discouraged in open fires or near a canvas shelter.
Energy : Net calorific value, dry wood at ~20% moisture — higher is better.
Sources (5)
- ADEME / comparatif PCI bois de chauffage (essences, 20% humidité)
- Picbleu — Pouvoir calorifique du bois de chauffage (PCI/PCS, séchage, stockage)
- Forest Research (UK) — Woodfuel: which wood to burn
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory — Wood Handbook, ch.4 (densité/gravité spécifique par essence)
- Certainly Wood / Woodland Trust — tableau usage bushcraft des essences (allumage, étincelles, fumée, braises)