Apple Firewood

Apple and other fruitwoods are dense, slow-burning and fragrant. Most apple firewood comes from orchard prunings and old trees, so it often comes in small, twisted pieces rather than straight rounds.

Apple firewood at a glance

Heat per cord: 25.8 million BTU
Weight per cord: 4,000 lb (air-dried)
Ease of splitting: ●●○○○ 2 of 5
Seasoning time: 12 to 18 months
Smoke: Low
Sparks: Few
Coals: Excellent
Scent: Sweet, fruity
Type: Hardwood
Common in (US): Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic

Also called: Apple tree, FruitwoodHeat and weight are typical published figures for air-dried wood at about 20% moisture. Real loads vary with moisture, growing conditions and how the cord is stacked. Compare all species.

Splitting apple

Apple is dense and often twisted and knotty, which makes larger pieces hard to split. Much of it is small enough to burn without splitting.

Seasoning apple

Apple takes about a year or more to dry when split; small branch wood dries faster.

Burning apple

Dry apple burns hot and slow with little smoke and long coals, and has a sweet smell. It is also a favorite for smoking food.

Gear for apple

Do not burn fruitwood that has been sprayed or treated recently if you plan to cook over it; ask where it came from.

Splitters and splitting tools

Chainsaws

Stoves, storage and moisture

Size the splitter for your apple with the log splitter tonnage calculator, and see how many cords a winter takes with the firewood cord calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is apple wood good firewood?

Yes. It is dense, burns long with good coals and smells pleasant.

Is apple wood hard to split?

Larger pieces often are, because of twisted grain and knots. Small pieces can usually be burned whole.

How long does apple wood take to season?

Usually around a year after splitting.

Compare with similar woods

Eucalyptus (27.0 million BTU per cord), Oak (red and white) (24.9 million BTU per cord). Or see all 23 species side by side.