Red Maple
For easy-to-find, easy-to-split wood that seasons quickly -- red maple is a moderate-heat hardwood that is cheap and common across eastern North America.
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Why this fits you
- You want a widely available hardwood that is easy to process.
- You can season wood for a year or less.
- You are fine with moderate heat per cord in exchange for easy handling.
Red maple is a common hardwood across eastern North America and is often sold as maple firewood. It has a lower heat value than sugar maple, roughly 18 to 20 million BTU per cord, but it splits easily, seasons within about a year and lights well. It is a practical, inexpensive fuel for shoulder seasons and as a supplement to denser woods.
Heat value and burn behaviour
Red maple burns cleanly and steadily but gives less heat per cord than sugar maple, oak or hickory. Burn times are moderate, so it works better for daytime fires and mild weather than for the coldest nights. It is a good all-rounder when you do not need maximum density.
Seasoning and splitting
Red maple dries relatively fast, often in 6 to 12 months when split and stacked in a breezy place, and it splits easily when straight. Check the moisture with a meter. Pieces with knots or forks from branching trees can be difficult, so choose straight stems when you can.
Supply and cost
Red maple grows abundantly and regrows quickly, so storm-felled trees and clearing work often produce plenty of it. It is often sold simply as maple, so ask which species you are buying. Compare price on a per-cord basis with the heat value in mind, since a cord of red maple gives less heat than a cord of oak or hickory.
Cautions
Wilted red maple leaves are toxic to horses, so keep fresh limbs away from pasture. Rot sets in quickly in dead red maple left on the ground, so process felled trees promptly. Standing dead red maple can be punky inside even when it looks sound.
When to choose something else
Choose a denser hardwood for the coldest part of winter. Use red maple when you want easy-to-process, readily available wood that is ready to burn within a year.
How it compares
| Species | BTU/cord (millions) | Season time |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 24-29 | 1-2 years |
| Hickory | 27-30 | 1-2 years |
| Ash | 20-24 | 6-12 months |
| Sugar Maple | 21-24 | 6-12 months |
| White Pine (softwood) | 15-17 | 3-6 months |
| Black Locust | 26-29 | 1-2 years |
| Red Maple | 18-20 | 6-12 months |
| Black Cherry | 20-21 | 6-12 months |
Buying checklist
- Ask which maple species a seller is supplying
- Split and stack at least 6 to 12 months before burning
- Keep fresh red maple limbs out of horse pasture
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
Is red maple good firewood?
It is decent, with moderate heat and easy splitting, though not as dense as sugar maple or oak.
How long should red maple season?
About 6 to 12 months for split wood in a dry, breezy stack.
Is red maple the same as soft maple?
Red maple is often grouped with soft maples, though it is harder than silver maple and has more heat value.
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