Sitting around a great fire helps to bring family and friends together. Whether it's in the fireplace in your living room, or outside around the fire pit, having the proper wood is key.

A great fire is more than just gathering some wood, stacking it and lighting it. There are a few things to consider when preparing for a fire. It's important to make the right choice of firewood for cleaner, safer, longer burning fires.

Types of Firewood

There are many types of wood that can be used for firewood. Each have their own properties when burning. Choosing to burn inside or outside will affect your choice of wood.

• abundant in NY state
• a dense hardwood tree, so it burns for a very long time
• doesn't need much maintenance once it starts

• a deciduous hardwood tree offering good heat
• difficult to start but burns well once it gets going
• produces very little smoke, which is good for outside bonfire parties

• produces little smoke
• produces a sweet aroma when burning that can be very pleasant on a fall evening
• burns at medium heat
• good for a night of mild temperature and weather

• a softer wood, a great fire-starter because it burns very quickly
• burns bright and hot

• a great fire-starter
• should only be burned outdoors because of its high sap and resin content - can be smokey at times
• pleasant burning aroma
• because it burns quickly, pine should be used with other, longer burning woods

• a dense hardwood, common in the area
• provides good heat
• can produce good firewood because of how dry the wood is

Outdoor vs. Indoor

Over the last few years, residents in Westchester County and the surrounding areas enjoy outdoor fires around fire pits in the fall and winter. However, on very cold nights or inclement weather, an indoor fire can be ideal. Here are some tips when planning a fire.

• larger pieces and more junk-type wood could be used
• little to clean up since all the wood mess remains outside
• consider how close you are to neighbors and use wood with minimal smoke
• move fire pit out from under trees

• quality wood (size and moisture content) is best so as to prevent the build up of creosote in the chimney and smoke in the home
• need to make sure you get an annual chimney check
• keep debris clear from your chimney top and consider installing a chimney cap
• use a fireplace screen to control sparking

What You Need to Build a Good Fire

• Tinder - this is what will catch the spark and ignite the kindling (can be shredded paper)
• Kindling - small pieces of dry wood (approximately an inch or two in diameter)
• Pile the shredded paper in the middle of the fire pit
• Build a 'teepee' of kindling around the tinder
• Stack the burning logs over the kindling
• Ignite the paper in several places, preferably lighting the tinder first
• Fan the fire so it burns hotter and faster and gets the stack on fire
• Once the logs catch, all you have to do is feed the fire

If you know that you will be building fires throughout the cooler months, it's best to order wood in quantity and have it delivered. Your other option could be chopping your own wood, or buying small, wrapped amounts of firewood from local stores or supermarkets. This can get costly.

Since most residents in Westchester County don't necessarily chop their own wood, ordering firewood from a local landscaping company is usually the way to go.

Search for Firewood Companies

• Call a professional licensed, insured tree removal expert
• Only buy firewood that is sold in a cord. A cord is a legal unit.
• See if the firewood company will cut to burning length, split, and if they will stack upon delivery (may cost extra)

• Type of wood
• Where you live
• Supply and demand based on time of year and market conditions
• Pick up or Delivery
• Whether you order it "stacked" or "dumped" when they deliver it to your home.

Need firewood? Call Hickory Homes & Properties for your firewood needs. We can deliver firewood for the cold months of the year. Bundle up with a large stock of firewood while supplies last and stay warm! We will work with you to determine the proper amount of wood you need for the season and schedule automatic deliveries.

Firewood Services

• Fully Seasoned and Split to 16-20" Length
• Same Day Delivery Available
• Stacking and On-Site Firewood Splitting Services Available upon Re-quest

Call to Schedule a Firewood Delivery

914-666-6300

Or fill out the form below for a firewood delivery quote.