Is Beech Good Firewood?

Common to the northern and eastern regions of North America, beech (Fagus) is a genus of trees belonging to the Fagaceae tree family. It is often found growing near sugar maple and ash trees, able to survive in a range of soil conditions and growing up to 100 ft tall.

But is it worth harvesting a 100ft beech tree to use as firewood?

Having a high density and low sap content, beech is very high-quality firewood. It generates enough heat to warm your home for hours. It produces up to 29 million BTUs per cord while being a clean-burning wood.

beech firewood thumbnail

What Are The Varieties Of Beech

Though there are roughly 10 species of beech trees that grow all over the world, the most common to grow across America is the American beech. In fact, it is the only beech tree that is native to North America.

What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Beech

NameBeech
Heat per cord (Million BTUs)27.4  
Weight dry (lbs per cord)3978
Weight green (lbs per cord)4590
Seasoning time1 – 2 years
Resin / Sap contentLow
Splitting DifficultyModerate
SmokeMinimal
SmellSlightly nutty
Coal ProductionHigh quality
Creosote Build-upLittle

Does its Wood Split Easily?

If you can find a beech wood that hasn’t frown knots, then it will be fairly easy to split by maul.

However, beech does tend to develop knots so finding beech wood without knots is a hard task. If you have a hydraulic splitter, then a knotty beech will not be much of an issue.

You will also want to make sure to wear protective gear while splitting beech as it does tend to chip off aggressively.

How Much Sap Does It Have?

Beech has one of the lowest sap levels of any other wood type. This is why it is so easy to work with and will be less dangerous when burnt.

Woods with high levels of sap like pine are messier and are a pain to burn. That is partly why beech is the superior firewood.

How Does The Wood Smell?

Being from the same tree family as chestnut, beech emits a slight nutty smell. It is very faint and not as fragrant as chestnut, but the smell is still evident.

However, if unseasoned, beech will be unpleasant smelling.

Heat Output And Efficiency Of Beech

Beech is one of the hottest burning woods available, generating a high BTU of 27.4. This is just as hot as some species of dogwood, but can sometimes be too hot to use in your indoor fireplace for more than a few hours.  

Fire Characteristics Of Beech

Due to its naturally low moisture levels and pretty much no sap within its wood, beech firewood is a clean-burning wood.

It will produce more smoke than other woods of the same quality but will not be as smoky as cedar and spruce for obvious reasons. Even if you do find your beech wood to produce more smoke than normal, it is a clean-burning wood so will not create as much creosote.

Such low sap levels also mean that the fire itself will not create any sparks.

Beechwood can generate such a high heat because it is a very dense wood. As such, the hot flames generate their heat slowly and over a longer period.

The coals produced by beech wood are of very high quality, allowing the fire to keep burning for longer.

Is It Okay To Burn Beech In A Fireplace?

In short, yes, beech is perfectly fine to burn in a fireplace. Its lack of sap means that it will not spark, and the minimal amounts of smoke beech wood do create is clean.

Be aware of what kind of fireplace you burn beech wood in. Its high heat may be too hot unless burnt in a log burner, so just be aware of that when using beech wood during the warmer months.

How Long To Season Beech?

The density of beech wood means that you will need to give the wood at least a year to season. This is despite its low moisture and sap content. For the best burning quality, wait 2 years for it to season.

Pros And Cons of Beech Wood

Pros:

  • Highly efficient
  • Low sap content
  • High-quality coals
  • Little creosote production
  • Clean burning

Cons:

  • Takes a while to season
  • Can be difficult to prepare

How Does Beech Compare To Other Firewood?

Beechwood burns just as well as pacific dogwood and is better than yellow birch. Though it takes the same amount of time to the season as cherry wood.

In comparison, mesquite firewood only takes 6 – 8 months to season and generates better heat. However, chestnut wood (of which beech is related) generates a significantly lower heat and takes a full 2 years to season.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I Use Beech On A Stove Top? 

Beech is better suited for use on a BBQ as it burns too hot to be used on a stove.

Is Beech A Hardwood? 

Yes, beech is hardwood. Much like oak, maple, and hickory.

Can I Use Beech Outside? 

Beech is good for both indoor and outside use. You will be able to feel its heat without having to be too close to the fire on both occasions.

Conclusion

Beech is very high-quality firewood. It may emit more smoke than you would expect of wood with low sap, but its heat output and clean-burning capabilities make it a quality wood.

Scroll to Top