When we remove a tree, some homeowners choose to keep the wood for firewood. Totally understandable! There’s nothing quite like a warm fire in the winter. But before you stack those logs or toss them in the firepit, there are a few “did you know?” firewood facts worth keeping in mind, especially here in Pennsylvania.

Firewood Facts: Seasoning Firewood

Freshly cut wood (sometimes called “green” wood) has a high moisture content. If you try to burn it right away, you’ll end up with smoky fires, poor heat output, and extra creosote buildup in your chimney. That’s why firewood needs to be seasoned – dried out until it’s below about 20% moisture.

• Hardwoods like oak: often take 1–2 years to season fully.
• Maple or birch: usually 6–12 months.
• Softwoods like pine: as little as 3–6 months.

A few pro tips:

• Split early – splitting exposes more surface area and speeds drying.
• Stack smart – keep wood off the ground and stack it so air can circulate. Cover only the top to protect from rain while letting the sides breathe.
• Look for signs of readiness – cracks in the end grain, a hollow “clink” when pieces knock together, or check with a moisture meter if you want to be precise.

Firewood & Pests: Why Moving It Is Risky

Here’s where things get serious. Firewood can hide more than just a few ants; it can be a vehicle for invasive pests that threaten Pennsylvania’s forests.

• Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, and other wood-boring insects can ride along in or under the bark.
• Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), one of Pennsylvania’s biggest current threats, loves to lay egg masses on smooth surfaces, including firewood. These eggs look like a smear of mud or putty and are easy to miss. Even seasoned-looking wood can still carry them.

Because of these risks, Pennsylvania has strict rules about moving firewood:

• You cannot legally bring untreated firewood into the state from outside Pennsylvania.
• Within PA, moving firewood out of Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zones is prohibited. The quarantine covers multiple counties, including much of southeastern and central PA.
• Violating quarantine rules can bring steep fines (up to $20,000 in civil penalties).

Bottom line? Buy it where you burn it. Keep firewood local, and if you’ve got logs from your yard, burn them onsite instead of transporting them to another county.

How to Be a Responsible Firewood User

• If you keep wood from a tree removal job, season it properly before burning.
• Inspect it carefully – scrape off any suspicious egg masses (especially gray, putty-like smears in fall/winter). Destroy them by placing in alcohol or hand sanitizer before disposal.
• Don’t move firewood long distances – even just a few counties over.
• Burn it within the season –  don’t stockpile large amounts you plan to haul around later.

A Final Thought

We love trees. Whether we’re helping them thrive or removing them safely when needed. If you decide to keep wood after a tree removal, remember these essential firewood facts and treat it with the same respect you give to the trees still standing. Season it right, burn it local, and help protect Pennsylvania’s forests from pests.