When the first autumn chill hits Gloucester County, South Jersey, the search for quality firewood begins. For Gloucester County homeowners like Mike Johnson, finding reliable firewood isn’t just about staying warm—it’s about creating experiences.
“Last year, I bought cheap firewood from a roadside seller,” Mike told us. “It was still green, smoked terribly, and barely gave off heat. My family’s cozy movie nights by the fire were ruined.”
Mike’s experience is common throughout our area. Many homeowners struggle to find properly seasoned, high-quality firewood at fair prices. With countless options—from big box stores to Craigslist sellers to established tree services—how do you know who to trust?
At FT Tree Service, we’ve supplied premium firewood to Gloucester County residents for years. This comprehensive guide explains everything local homeowners need to know about buying firewood in our region—from wood types and proper seasoning to pricing, delivery options, and storage solutions.
Understanding Firewood Basics
Before purchasing firewood, it’s important to understand what makes good burning wood.
Types of Firewood Available in Gloucester County and South Jersey
Different wood species offer different burning characteristics.
Hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory dominate South Jersey’s forests and make excellent firewood. These dense woods burn longer, produce more heat, and create better coals than softer alternatives. Oak is particularly abundant in Gloucester County and represents about 60% of the firewood we supply to local homes.
Fruit woods including cherry and apple provide pleasant aromas and moderate heat output. These specialty woods are less common but prized for their sweet smell when burning. A Mullica Hill customer specifically requests cherry wood each year for holiday gatherings, enjoying the subtle fragrance it adds to their home.
Softwoods like pine and cedar ignite easily but burn quickly with less heat output. While not ideal as primary heating wood, they make excellent starter material. Many of our Woodbury customers request a small amount of pine kindling with their hardwood orders to make fire starting easier.
Mixed loads combining several wood types offer versatility for different burning needs. This approach provides both easy-starting woods and longer-burning options in a single delivery. Our mixed hardwood loads typically include oak, maple, hickory, and cherry in varying proportions based on seasonal availability.
Seasoning and Moisture Content
Proper drying significantly impacts burning quality.
Freshly cut “green” wood contains 45-50% moisture content and performs poorly in fireplaces and stoves. This wet wood produces less heat, creates excessive smoke, and contributes to dangerous creosote buildup in chimneys. A Deptford customer learned this lesson the hard way after purchasing unseasoned wood that led to a chimney fire requiring professional cleaning.
Properly seasoned firewood has been dried for at least 6-12 months and contains less than 20% moisture content. This drier wood ignites easily, burns cleanly, and produces maximum heat. Our firewood is seasoned for a minimum of 12 months in covered, elevated stacks that allow optimal air circulation.
Testing methods help verify proper seasoning. The simplest is striking two pieces together—well-seasoned wood produces a clear, ringing sound rather than a dull thud. More precise measurement uses a moisture meter, an inexpensive tool that gives exact readings. We regularly test our inventory to ensure it meets our under-20% standard.
Regional climate considerations affect drying times in South Jersey. Our humid summers and mild winters mean wood typically takes longer to season than in drier or colder regions. Local wood that might be ready in 6 months elsewhere often requires 9-12 months in our climate to reach optimal burning condition.
Firewood Measurements and Terminology
Understanding how firewood is sold prevents confusion and overpaying.
A full cord is the standard measurement, consisting of stacked wood measuring 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet deep (128 cubic feet). This traditional forestry measure remains the legal standard for firewood sales in New Jersey. A full cord typically weighs between 2,500-3,000 pounds depending on wood type and moisture content.
Face cords (also called rick or fireplace cords) measure 4 feet high by 8 feet long but vary in depth—typically 16-18 inches instead of 4 feet. This smaller unit equals approximately one-third of a full cord and better suits occasional fireplace users. Many of our Sewell customers prefer face cords for their occasional weekend fires.
Fractional cords like half and quarter cords offer more manageable quantities for homeowners with limited storage space. These measurements should maintain the same proportions as full cords. Our delivery minimum is a quarter cord, which provides enough wood for about 15-20 typical fireplace fires.
Loose thrown measurements like “truckloads” lack standardization and often lead to disputes. Without stacking, a pickup “load” might contain as little as 1/4 cord despite appearing substantial. We always specify exact cord measurements rather than using these vague terms that frequently leave customers with less wood than expected.
Heat Value and Efficiency
Different woods produce varying amounts of heat.
BTU (British Thermal Unit) ratings measure heat output potential. Oak, hickory, and maple—all common in Gloucester County—rank among the highest BTU producers. Oak generates approximately 27 million BTUs per cord compared to pine’s 17 million, making it a far more efficient heating choice.
Density directly correlates with heat production and burning time. Heavier woods generally contain more potential energy and burn longer. A simple comparison: a full firebox of oak might maintain comfortable heat for 5-6 hours, while the same volume of pine might last only 2-3 hours.
Resin content affects both ignition and burning characteristics. Pine and other softwoods contain high resin levels that make them easy to light but prone to sparking and rapid burning. This characteristic makes them excellent for starting fires but poor for overnight burning. A Washington Township customer uses small amounts of pine to start fires quickly, then adds oak for sustained heat.
Practical efficiency depends on both wood quality and burning appliance. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves extract significantly more heat from the same wood compared to open fireplaces. A Mantua customer reported their wood consumption dropped by nearly 60% after upgrading from an open fireplace to a high-efficiency insert.
Sourcing Quality Firewood in Gloucester County
Finding reliable suppliers requires knowing what to look for and what questions to ask.
Local Firewood Suppliers
Several types of vendors serve our area, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Tree services often sell firewood as a byproduct of their removal operations. This direct-from-source approach typically ensures fresh, local wood with known origins. As a tree service, we can verify exactly where our firewood comes from—primarily Gloucester County properties where we’ve performed tree removals.
Dedicated firewood businesses focus exclusively on processing and selling firewood. These specialists typically offer consistent quality and reliable supply but may charge premium prices. Several established firewood businesses in our area maintain good reputations for quality and service.
Seasonal sellers appear during fall and winter, often selling from roadside locations or through marketplace listings. While sometimes offering competitive prices, these temporary vendors rarely provide documentation or guarantees. A Glassboro homeowner shared their frustration after a roadside seller delivered unseasoned wood despite promising it was “perfectly dry.”
Big box stores and gas stations sell bundled firewood at convenient locations but typically charge significantly higher per-cord equivalent prices. These small bundles serve occasional users well but prove extremely expensive for regular burning. A quick calculation shows these bundles often cost 3-5 times more per cord than buying in bulk from local suppliers.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
Proper vetting helps avoid disappointing purchases.
“How long has the wood been seasoned?” provides insight into burning quality. Vague answers like “it’s dry enough” should raise concerns. Reputable dealers can tell you when the wood was cut and how it’s been stored during seasoning. We track cutting dates for all our inventory and never sell wood seasoned less than 12 months.
“What species are included?” helps match the wood to your specific needs. Some suppliers sell whatever they have without identifying species. A Woodbury customer with a high-efficiency wood stove specifically seeks oak and hickory for overnight burns, making species identification important to their satisfaction.
“Do you deliver, and what are the fees?” clarifies total costs before committing. Delivery fees vary widely throughout Gloucester County, with some suppliers charging flat rates and others using distance-based pricing. We offer free delivery within 10 miles of our Deptford location and reasonable distance-based fees beyond that radius.
“How is the wood measured?” ensures you’re getting what you pay for. New Jersey law requires firewood to be sold by cord or fraction of cord with specific disclosure requirements. We provide written receipts specifying exact quantities in cord measurements as required by state regulations.
Red Flags When Buying Firewood
Several warning signs suggest potentially problematic suppliers.
Significantly lower prices than competitors often indicate unseasoned or lower-quality wood. While everyone appreciates a good deal, firewood pricing tends to be relatively consistent among reputable suppliers. When a Mantua resident found wood priced 40% below market rate, they discovered it was freshly cut and virtually unusable until the following year.
Reluctance to specify wood types or seasoning time suggests either ignorance or intentional misrepresentation. Professional suppliers know their inventory and willingly share this information. We provide complete transparency about our wood sources, species mix, and seasoning methods.
Selling by non-standard measurements like “truckloads” or “racks” without cord equivalents often masks actual quantity. These vague terms make price comparisons impossible and frequently disadvantage buyers. Our quotes always include precise cord measurements alongside any alternative descriptions for clarity.
Cash-only policies without receipts may indicate tax avoidance or unwillingness to stand behind the product. Legitimate businesses offer multiple payment options and proper documentation. We accept various payment methods and provide detailed receipts that meet state requirements for firewood sales.
Sustainable and Legal Sourcing
Responsible harvesting practices matter for both environmental and practical reasons.
Local sourcing reduces transportation impacts and supports regional businesses. Gloucester County’s abundant hardwood forests provide excellent firewood without requiring long-distance shipping. Our inventory comes exclusively from local tree removals, primarily from properties within 15 miles of our Deptford location.
Invasive pest concerns have led to transportation restrictions for firewood in many areas. Moving wood long distances can spread destructive insects like emerald ash borer and spotted lanternfly. Our locally sourced wood never crosses quarantine boundaries and poses no risk of introducing new pests to your property.
Harvest methods impact forest health and sustainability. Responsible suppliers obtain wood through selective harvesting, storm cleanup, or necessary removals rather than clear-cutting. As a professional tree service, our firewood comes from legitimate removals performed for safety, construction, or property management—never from speculative cutting.
Permit requirements apply to commercial harvesting on both public and private lands. Legitimate suppliers comply with all forestry regulations and property rights. Our transparent sourcing from residential and commercial tree removals ensures all our firewood comes from properly permitted work with landowner authorization.
Pricing and Purchasing Guidance
Understanding cost factors helps set realistic expectations and budgets.
Current Market Rates in Gloucester County
Local prices reflect regional conditions and seasonal factors.
Full cord prices for seasoned hardwood in Gloucester County typically range from $250-$350 delivered. This price varies based on species, seasoning time, and delivery distance. Our standard mixed hardwood cord (primarily oak with maple and hickory) currently costs $275 delivered within 10 miles of our Deptford location.
Face cord pricing proportionally reflects full cord rates, typically ranging from $90-$125 delivered locally. This smaller quantity suits occasional users or those with limited storage space. Many of our Woodbury and Wenonah customers prefer this quantity for their weekend fireplace enjoyment.
Specialty wood commands premium prices based on desirability and availability. Cherry, apple, and hickory typically cost 15-25% more than standard mixed hardwood. A Mullica Hill customer gladly pays this premium for our cherry wood, which they use exclusively for special occasions due to its pleasant aroma.
Seasonal price fluctuations follow predictable patterns in our region. Prices typically reach their lowest point in late spring and early summer, then rise steadily through fall, peaking during the first cold snap. Savvy Gloucester County homeowners like those in Sewell and Mantua often purchase their winter supply in May or June to secure the best rates.
Delivery vs. Pickup Considerations
Logistics significantly impact both convenience and total cost.
Delivery services vary widely among suppliers. Some include delivery within certain distances, while others charge separately based on location. Our delivery service includes stacking in a single location within 20 feet of where our truck can access, a convenience many customers in Washington Township and surrounding areas appreciate.
Access requirements for delivery trucks must be considered when ordering. Standard delivery vehicles need adequate clearance and stable ground to safely access your property. Before scheduling deliveries, we confirm access details to ensure our trucks can reach suitable unloading locations without property damage.
Pickup options offer cost savings for those with appropriate vehicles. Loading your own wood typically saves $30-$50 per cord compared to delivery pricing. Several customers from Pitman and Glassboro regularly pick up their orders, using the savings to purchase additional wood.
Vehicle capacity limitations often surprise first-time buyers. A standard pickup truck holds approximately 1/3 to 1/2 cord when properly stacked—less when loosely thrown. A West Deptford customer learned this lesson when his full-size pickup could only transport about half his order, requiring an unexpected second trip.
Quantity Recommendations
Appropriate purchase amounts depend on your specific usage patterns.
Occasional fireplace users typically require 1/4 to 1/2 cord annually. This amount suffices for weekend fires and special occasions throughout the winter season. Many of our Woodbury customers in this category order a face cord each fall for their occasional enjoyment.
Primary heating needs for wood stoves or inserts range from 2-5 cords annually for typical Gloucester County homes. This variation depends on home size, insulation quality, stove efficiency, and desired temperature. A Mullica Hill family heats their 2,000-square-foot well-insulated home primarily with wood, consuming about 3 cords during a typical winter.
Supplemental heating alongside conventional systems typically requires 1-2 cords per season. This approach reduces fossil fuel consumption while maintaining the convenience of automatic heating. A Sewell homeowner uses this strategy to reduce their gas bill by approximately 30% during winter months.
Storage capacity should influence purchase quantity. Buying more than you can properly store leads to wood deterioration and waste. We help customers assess their storage space during ordering to recommend appropriate quantities that can be properly maintained.
Payment and Guarantees
Understanding terms and protections helps prevent disputes.
Deposit requirements vary between suppliers. Some require full payment before delivery, while others accept payment on delivery. Our policy requests a 25% deposit to schedule delivery with the balance due upon inspection and acceptance of the wood.
Satisfaction guarantees provide protection against quality issues. Reputable suppliers stand behind their products with clear policies. Our “dry or free” guarantee ensures customers receive properly seasoned wood—if moisture content exceeds 20% when tested with a meter, we replace the wood or refund the purchase price.
Cancellation and rescheduling policies matter when plans change. Weather, access issues, or personal circumstances sometimes necessitate adjustments. We maintain flexible rescheduling without penalties and full deposit refunds for cancellations more than 48 hours before scheduled delivery.
Documentation protects both buyers and sellers. Professional suppliers provide detailed receipts specifying quantity, price, species, and condition. Our delivery documentation includes all required information plus moisture content verification, creating a clear record of the transaction.
Firewood Storage and Maintenance
Proper storage preserves wood quality between purchase and use.
Optimal Storage Solutions
Correct storage maintains seasoning and prevents deterioration.
Elevated storage prevents ground moisture absorption that can rehydrate even well-seasoned wood. Pallets, lumber rails, or commercial racks create necessary air space beneath the pile. A Mantua customer cleverly repurposed wooden pallets from a local warehouse as free firewood racks, elevating their supply about 6 inches above ground.
Covering options should protect from precipitation while allowing airflow. Complete tarping creates harmful moisture trap, while no covering allows rain and snow absorption. The ideal approach covers the top and perhaps one side while leaving others open for circulation. Many of our Washington Township customers use this method with specialized firewood covers that protect the top while allowing side ventilation.
Location considerations balance convenience and protection. The ideal storage spot provides easy access during winter while maintaining good airflow and some sun exposure. A Sewell family created an excellent compromise with a rack along their garage’s south-facing wall—convenient to access, protected from northern winds, and receiving good solar exposure to aid continued drying.
Multiple-year storage systems benefit those with space to purchase in larger quantities. Rotating between two storage areas allows one year’s supply to continue seasoning while using the previous year’s fully-seasoned wood. A Mullica Hill homeowner implemented this system using two identical covered racks, purchasing a full cord each spring at lower prices while always burning optimally seasoned wood.
Pest Prevention
Proper management prevents unwanted insects from entering your home.
Insect inhabitants commonly include various beetles, ants, and occasionally termites. These creatures naturally reside in forest environments and often remain in firewood after cutting. A Woodbury homeowner discovered this when bringing in a large supply of wood during fall, inadvertently introducing hundreds of wood-boring beetles to their mudroom.
Distance from structures reduces pest migration risk. Storing firewood directly against your home creates a direct bridge for insects to enter. Maintaining at least 20 feet between main wood storage and your home significantly reduces this risk. A Deptford family maintains their primary storage area near their property edge, only bringing in small amounts for their convenient porch rack.
Inspection before bringing wood indoors allows you to identify and reject infested pieces. Taking a few moments to examine wood before carrying it inside prevents most pest introductions. A Wenonah customer makes a habit of brushing each log and examining it briefly before adding it to their indoor rack, effectively preventing pest issues.
Treatment options remain limited for firewood. Chemical treatments generally prove impractical and potentially dangerous when the wood will be burned. Physical methods like brief sun exposure on dark surfaces sometimes drives insects from wood before bringing it indoors. A Glassboro homeowner places their daily wood supply on a black metal tray in a sunny spot for a few hours before bringing it inside during winter months.
Indoor Storage Considerations
Bringing wood inside requires balancing convenience with cleanliness and safety.
Quantity limitations balance convenience with pest and moisture concerns. Most experts recommend bringing in only what you’ll burn within 1-2 days. A Woodbury family uses a copper rack beside their fireplace that holds exactly one evening’s worth of wood, refilling it each morning from their covered porch storage.
Location options include dedicated wood boxes, decorative racks, or simple stacking areas. The best choice depends on your home’s layout and aesthetic preferences. A Sewell homeowner incorporated a built-in wood storage nook when renovating their family room, creating both functional storage and a rustic design element.
Cleanliness measures prevent bark, insects, and debris from creating household messes. Simple solutions include designated canvas carriers, indoor/outdoor rugs beneath storage areas, or regular sweeping. A Washington Township family uses a large galvanized tub to transport wood from their outdoor rack to their fireplace, containing mess and simplifying cleanup.
Safety considerations include maintaining proper clearance from heating appliances. Wood stored too close to stoves or fireplaces creates obvious fire hazards. The National Fire Protection Association recommends maintaining at least 36 inches between wood storage and any heating appliance—a guideline we emphasize to all our firewood customers.
Aging and Rotation Strategies
Proper inventory management maximizes wood quality.
First-in, first-out usage ensures you’re always burning the oldest, driest wood. Consistent rotation prevents wood from deteriorating through excessive aging. A Mullica Hill customer maintains three clearly marked sections in their storage area—current season, next season, and new deliveries—to maintain proper rotation.
Multi-year storage benefits and limitations deserve consideration. While additional seasoning beyond 1-2 years provides minimal improvement in burn quality, it significantly increases deterioration risk. Wood stored more than 3-4 years often shows signs of decay and insect damage that reduce its value as firewood.
Separation by species and size optimizes both storage and usage. Keeping smaller pieces accessible for fire starting while maintaining larger pieces for overnight burns improves convenience. A Mantua family organizes their wood rack with kindling and small pieces on top shelves, medium pieces in the middle, and large overnight logs on the bottom for logical fire building.
Weather-based usage strategies match wood types to conditions. Denser woods like oak and hickory excel during the coldest weather when maximum heat output and long burns matter most. A Sewell homeowner strategically uses their lighter maple and cherry during mild conditions while reserving dense oak for the coldest nights when sustained heat becomes crucial.
Burning Best Practices
Proper burning techniques maximize heat output while minimizing problems.
Building Effective Fires
Correct fire building improves both performance and enjoyment.
Starting methods vary in effectiveness and convenience. Traditional paper-and-kindling approaches work well but require more attention than modern starters. Many of our Woodbury customers use a combination approach—natural kindling for regular fires but keeping commercial fire starters on hand for convenience or challenging situations.
Airflow management significantly impacts both ignition and sustained burning. Proper spacing between pieces during building and appropriate damper adjustment during burning makes substantial differences in performance. A Deptford wood stove owner discovered their heat output improved nearly 30% after learning proper loading and airflow techniques from an experienced neighbor.
Wood arrangement follows different patterns for different goals. Upright “teepee” arrangements maximize initial flames and quick heating, while horizontal “log cabin” or “top-down” methods provide longer, more consistent burns. A Mullica Hill family uses different arrangements based on their needs—teepee for quick evening ambiance but log cabin overnight for sustained heating.
Size progression from smallest to largest pieces ensures reliable ignition and establishment. Beginning with kindling and gradually adding larger pieces as the fire develops prevents smoldering and frustration. A Sewell homeowner who previously struggled with starting fires now consistently achieves success by following this progressive approach.
Maximizing Heat Output
Efficiency techniques improve performance regardless of your heating appliance.
Moisture content directly impacts heat production. Well-seasoned wood with less than 20% moisture content produces approximately 20-25% more usable heat than wood with 30-35% moisture. This difference explains why a Mantua customer’s heating improved dramatically when they switched from a questionable roadside vendor to our properly seasoned firewood.
Appropriate sizing matches wood dimensions to your specific appliance. Fireplaces generally accommodate larger pieces than wood stoves, while wood furnaces might require specific lengths. We offer custom cutting to match our customers’ equipment—18″ for most wood stoves in Gloucester County, while fireplace customers often prefer 16-20″ lengths.
Loading density balances airflow with fuel quantity. Overloading restricts necessary oxygen, while too much spacing wastes potential heat. Finding the right balance for your specific appliance significantly improves performance. A Washington Township wood stove user developed a simple “two-finger” spacing rule that optimizes their particular stove’s performance.
Reloading timing prevents both wasteful burning and difficult restarts. Adding new wood while sufficient coals remain ensures continuous burning without starting difficulties. A Woodbury homeowner who monitors their fireplace insert’s coal bed has eliminated the frustration of frequent restarts by adding new wood at the optimal time.
Smoke and Creosote Management
Proper techniques reduce both pollution and safety hazards.
Visible smoke indicates incomplete combustion and wasted energy. Well-seasoned wood burned in sufficient oxygen produces minimal visible smoke after the initial ignition phase. A Sewell resident who previously received neighborhood complaints about smoke solved the problem completely by switching to properly seasoned wood and improving their burning techniques.
Creosote formation occurs when wood gases condense in chimneys, creating fire hazards. This sticky, flammable substance builds up faster when burning wet wood or restricting airflow. A Deptford family learned this lesson the hard way when their chimney fire required emergency response—an expensive and frightening experience that proper wood selection could have prevented.
Chimney cleaning schedules should reflect usage patterns and burning habits. Heavy users burning exclusively well-seasoned hardwood might need annual cleaning, while those burning less ideal wood require more frequent maintenance. We recommend professional inspection at least annually for all wood-burning households in Gloucester County.
Burn temperature management significantly impacts both efficiency and safety. Maintaining proper temperatures—hot enough for complete combustion but not excessively hot—optimizes both performance and safety. A Mullica Hill wood stove owner uses a simple magnetic stove thermometer to monitor and maintain ideal burning temperatures between 300-600°F.
Fireplace vs. Wood Stove Considerations
Different appliances require different approaches for optimal results.
Efficiency comparisons reveal significant differences between appliances. Traditional open fireplaces convert only 10-15% of wood’s potential energy to usable heat, while modern wood stoves achieve 70-80% efficiency. This dramatic difference explains why a Woodbury homeowner who upgraded from an open fireplace to an EPA-certified insert reduced their wood consumption by nearly two-thirds while heating more effectively.
Draft management techniques vary between appliances. Fireplaces require more attention to damper positions and sometimes benefit from glass doors to control airflow. A Sewell homeowner who installed high-quality glass doors on their traditional fireplace reported both improved heat output and reduced wood consumption.
Loading differences reflect design variations between appliances. Wood stoves generally perform best with specific loading patterns and fuel quantities, while fireplaces offer more flexibility. Understanding these differences helps optimize performance for your specific situation. We provide appliance-specific burning guidance to all our firewood customers.
Safety considerations include clearances, floor protection, and appropriate tools. Each appliance type has specific requirements for safe operation. A Washington Township family who recently installed a new wood stove created a proper hearth pad, maintained required clearances, and invested in quality tools—creating both a safer and more convenient heating system.
Seasonal Considerations for South Jersey
Our region’s climate creates specific challenges and opportunities for firewood users.
Buying Season Recommendations
Timing significantly impacts both availability and pricing.
Off-season purchasing (spring/early summer) typically offers the best pricing and selection. Demand drops significantly after winter, creating buyer’s market conditions. Many of our savvy Gloucester County customers place their orders in April or May, securing both better prices and preferred delivery dates.
Peak season challenges include limited availability, higher prices, and extended wait times. By mid-October, quality seasoned firewood becomes increasingly scarce throughout South Jersey. A Woodbury homeowner who waited until November last year found themselves paying nearly 30% more than spring prices and waiting three weeks for delivery.
Weather impact on delivery schedules can create frustrating delays during wet periods. Saturated ground prevents heavy delivery trucks from accessing many properties without causing damage. We maintain a weather-contingent delivery policy that protects both customer properties and our equipment during unsuitable conditions.
Storage preparation should precede delivery. Having proper storage ready before wood arrives prevents quality degradation from improper temporary stacking. A Mantua customer who prepared elevated racks with proper covering before delivery maintained their wood’s quality throughout the season, while their neighbor’s ground-stacked pile quickly absorbed moisture during fall rains.
Summer Storage and Maintenance
Warm weather presents both opportunities and challenges for firewood management.
Continued seasoning during summer months can improve marginally dry wood. Wood purchased in spring continues drying through summer if properly stored. A Sewell homeowner who purchased borderline-seasoned wood in late winter found it had improved significantly after proper summer storage with good sun exposure and air circulation.
Pest activity increases during warmer months, requiring additional vigilance. Regular inspection and proper storage become even more important during peak insect seasons. A Deptford family who maintains their wood storage area away from their home and periodically repositions outer layers reports minimal pest issues despite our region’s abundant insect population.
Covering adjustments may be necessary during summer thunderstorm season. Flexible covering approaches that can be adjusted for weather conditions protect wood quality. Many of our Washington Township customers use adjustable systems that can provide additional protection during heavy rain but maximum airflow during dry periods.
Inventory assessment during summer identifies any quality issues before the burning season. Taking time to inspect and reorganize during good weather prevents unpleasant surprises when temperatures drop. A Mullica Hill family makes this assessment part of their late August routine, ensuring their supply remains in excellent condition before fall arrives.
Fall Preparation Checklist
Proactive measures before the burning season improve both convenience and performance.
Chimney inspection and cleaning should occur before the first fire each season. This critical safety measure prevents dangerous chimney fires and ensures proper draft. Most professional chimney services in Gloucester County become heavily booked by October, making August or September ideal for this annual maintenance.
Appliance maintenance includes checking gaskets, door seals, and mechanical components of stoves and inserts. These inspections identify wear or damage before the heating season begins. A Woodbury homeowner who replaced their worn door gasket during fall preparation saw immediate improvement in burn control when winter arrived.
Tool and accessory inventory ensures you have everything needed for convenient and safe operation. Checking gloves, pokers, brushes, and ash containers before the season prevents frustration later. A Sewell family maintains a complete set of quality tools that makes their wood burning both safer and more enjoyable.
Emergency backup planning acknowledges that power outages or appliance failures may occur during critical heating periods. Having alternative heating options and necessary supplies provides peace of mind. A Washington Township family maintains both their wood stove and a propane space heater with adequate fuel, ensuring they’re prepared for any winter scenario.
Winter Usage Patterns
Cold weather creates specific requirements for optimal heating.
Consumption rates typically peak during January and February in South Jersey. Planning adequate supplies for these coldest months prevents mid-winter shortages. A Mullica Hill family who heats primarily with wood ensures they enter January with at least half their annual supply remaining, having learned from a previous winter when they exhausted their wood during February’s coldest week.
Species selection can be matched to temperature patterns. Denser woods like oak and hickory provide longer burns and more heat during the coldest periods. A Deptford wood stove user strategically saves their oak for the coldest nights while using maple and cherry during milder conditions.
Overnight burning techniques maintain heat during sleeping hours. Proper loading with larger pieces, appropriate air control, and banking coals helps maintain comfortable temperatures until morning. A Woodbury family who mastered these techniques reports waking to a home that’s still comfortably warm even on the coldest mornings.
Supplemental heating integration creates efficient hybrid systems. Most Gloucester County homes benefit from combining wood heat with conventional systems for optimal comfort and economy. A Sewell homeowner programmed their thermostat to maintain minimum temperature if their wood stove can’t keep pace during extreme cold, creating an automatic backup system.
Key Quality Firewood Insights from FT Stump Grinding and Tree Service
Quality firewood represents both a practical heating resource and an enhancement to home comfort for Gloucester County residents. Whether you’re an occasional fireplace user seeking ambiance or a dedicated wood stove owner supplementing your home heating, understanding firewood basics helps you make informed decisions.
The distinction between properly seasoned, quality hardwood and inferior alternatives becomes most apparent during use. Well-seasoned oak, maple, and hickory from reputable local suppliers provides more heat, cleaner burning, and better overall experience than hastily processed or improperly stored alternatives. This quality difference justifies the modest additional investment for many South Jersey homeowners.
Proper storage and burning techniques maximize your return on this investment. Simple practices like elevated storage, appropriate covering, and correct fire building significantly improve both performance and enjoyment. These small efforts yield substantial benefits throughout the burning season.
For Gloucester County residents seeking reliable, high-quality firewood, local knowledge and reputation matter. Established suppliers with transparent practices, clear pricing, and quality guarantees provide both better products and peace of mind compared to temporary or unverified sellers.
For premium seasoned firewood throughout Gloucester County, contact FT Tree Service at (856) 740-7941. Our locally sourced, properly seasoned hardwood is available for delivery or pickup year-round, with special pricing for early season orders.