Mesquite Firewood

Mesquite is the go-to dense hardwood across the Southwest and Texas. It burns very hot, is famous for its smoke flavor in cooking, and often comes from clearing brushy pasture land.

Mesquite firewood at a glance

Heat per cord: 27.0 million BTU
Weight per cord: 4,000 lb (air-dried)
Ease of splitting: ●●○○○ 2 of 5
Seasoning time: 6 to 12 months
Smoke: Moderate
Sparks: Moderate
Coals: Excellent
Scent: Strong, sweet, smoky
Type: Hardwood
Common in (US): Southwest, Texas, Southern California

Also called: Honey mesquite, Velvet mesquiteHeat 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 mesquite

Mesquite is hard and often twisted, with knots and irregular trunks, so it can be difficult to split. Small pieces are usually burned whole.

Seasoning mesquite

Mesquite grows in dry climates and dries fairly quickly once cut, often within 6 to 12 months.

Burning mesquite

Seasoned mesquite burns very hot with long coals. It produces a strong, distinctive smoke and can throw sparks, so use a screen in open fireplaces.

Gear for mesquite

Because it burns so hot, load small amounts at a time in a stove and watch the temperature.

Splitters and splitting tools

Chainsaws

Stoves, storage and moisture

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mesquite good firewood?

Yes. It is dense and burns very hot with long coals.

Does mesquite spark?

It can pop and spark more than many hardwoods. Use a screen with an open fireplace.

Is mesquite good for cooking?

It is a classic cooking and smoking wood, with a strong flavor that suits beef.

Compare with similar woods

Hophornbeam (27.3 million BTU per cord), Eucalyptus (27.0 million BTU per cord). Or see all 23 species side by side.