Black walnut Firewood

Black walnut is a valuable timber tree, so straight trunk logs are usually worth more as lumber than firewood. Branches, crotches and damaged trees still make good, mid-range firewood with a pleasant smell.

Black walnut firewood at a glance

Heat per cord: 22.2 million BTU
Weight per cord: 3,200 lb (air-dried)
Ease of splitting: ●●●●○ 4 of 5
Seasoning time: 12 months
Smoke: Low
Sparks: Few
Coals: Good
Scent: Pleasant, nutty
Type: Hardwood
Common in (US): Midwest, Appalachia, South, Plains

Also called: WalnutHeat 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 black walnut

Walnut generally splits well, apart from crotch wood and knots.

Seasoning black walnut

Walnut needs about a year after splitting to dry properly.

Burning black walnut

Seasoned walnut burns with moderate heat, low smoke and a pleasant smell, and leaves fair to good coals.

Gear for black walnut

Before you cut a large, straight walnut into stove lengths, ask a local sawmill whether the log has timber value.

Splitters and splitting tools

Chainsaws

Stoves, storage and moisture

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is walnut good firewood?

It is good, mid-range firewood. Its heat per cord is similar to soft maple and birch.

Should I burn black walnut?

Branches, crotches and damaged wood, yes. A straight, clear trunk may be worth far more as lumber.

How long does walnut take to season?

About a year after splitting and stacking.

Compare with similar woods

Ash (23.6 million BTU per cord), Maple (sugar and red) (22.1 million BTU per cord). Or see all 23 species side by side.