Tamarack Firewood
Tamarack, or eastern larch, is a deciduous conifer of northern bogs and wetlands. It is one of the densest softwoods and gives heat similar to some hardwoods.
- Heat per cord
- 20.8 million BTU
- Weight per cord
- 3,000 lb (air-dried)
- Ease of splitting
- ●●●●○ 4 of 5
- Seasoning time
- 6 to 9 months
- Smoke
- Moderate
- Sparks
- Many
- Coals
- Fair
- Scent
- Resinous
- Type
- Softwood
- Common in (US)
- Great Lakes, Upper Midwest, Northeast, Alaska
Splitting tamarack
Tamarack usually splits easily.
Seasoning tamarack
Tamarack dries fairly quickly, often 6 to 9 months after splitting.
Burning tamarack
Dry tamarack burns hot and fairly fast and pops and sparks a lot. It is best in a closed stove.
Gear for tamarack
In the North, tamarack is a useful heating wood where hardwood is scarce. Burn it in a closed stove rather than an open fireplace.
Splitters and splitting tools
- Best Electric Log Splitter Under $500: 5 Splitters for Home Firewood
- Best Splitting Maul: 5 Mauls for Splitting Firewood by Hand
- Best Log Splitter for Home Use: 4 Splitters for a Cord or Two
Chainsaws
- Best Battery Chainsaw for Homeowners: 5 Cordless Saws Compared
- Best Chainsaw for Firewood: 5 Gas Saws for Cutting Cords
Stoves, storage and moisture
- Best Wood Stove for Heating a House: 5 Freestanding Stoves Compared
- Best Firewood Moisture Meter: 5 Pin Meters for Seasoned Wood
- Best Firewood Rack with Cover: 5 Outdoor Racks Compared
Size the splitter for your tamarack with the log splitter tonnage calculator, and see how many cords a winter takes with the firewood cord calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tamarack good firewood?
Yes. For a softwood it is dense and burns hot.
Does tamarack spark?
Yes, a lot. Burn it in a closed stove.
How long does tamarack take to season?
About 6 to 9 months after splitting.
Compare with similar woods
Birch (21.0 million BTU per cord), Cherry (20.4 million BTU per cord). Or see all 23 species side by side.