Can Cedar Be Used for Firewood? BTU Ratings, Pros, Cons & Best Uses (2026)
Yes, cedar can be used for firewood. Cedar burns well and has a pleasant smell.
Yes — cedar makes good firewood, especially for outdoor fires, campfires, and fire pits. It lights easily, burns with a pleasant aroma, and seasons quickly (6–12 months). However, cedar is a softwood with lower BTU output than hardwoods like oak or hickory, and its resin content can produce sparks and creosote. Best use: fire starter and kindling with hardwood logs on top for longer-lasting heat.
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Introduction To Cedar Firewood
Cedar wood has been used for centuries. It is known for its pleasant smell. Ancient people used cedar for building and crafting. It was also used in religious ceremonies. Cedar trees grow in many parts of the world. They are found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Cedar is used in many ways. People use it to make furniture. It is also used for building homes and fences. Cedar wood is good for making chests and closets. This is because it keeps bugs away. Cedar is also used for making boats. It is a strong and durable wood.
Characteristics Of Cedar Wood
Cedar wood is light and soft. It is easy to split. It has a fine, even texture. The wood’s color ranges from pale yellow to dark brown. Cedar is durable and resistant to decay. This makes it a favorite for outdoor use.
Cedar has a distinct, pleasant smell. The aroma comes from natural oils. These oils make the wood resistant to insects. The oils also help with decay resistance. The scent is strong when the wood is fresh. It fades over time.
Pros Of Using Cedar As Firewood
Cedar firewood offers a pleasant aroma and burns easily. It also produces a good amount of heat, making it ideal for kindling.
Availability And Cost
Cedar is often found in many regions. This makes it easy to get. It is usually not too costly. Many people can afford it. There is enough cedar to go around. You can find it in most wood stores.
Ease Of Splitting
Cedar wood is easy to split. It does not take much effort. You can use a simple axe. It breaks apart with little force. This saves time and energy. Many people like this feature.
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Cons Of Using Cedar As Firewood
Cedar wood burns quickly. It doesn’t last long. This means you need more wood. Using more wood is costly. Cedar doesn’t produce as much heat as other woods. It’s not efficient for long-term heating. Cedar is best for starting fires. But not for keeping them going.
Cedar creates many sparks. This can be dangerous. Sparks can cause fires. Cedar also produces a lot of smoke. Smoke is bad for your health. It can make it hard to breathe. Cedar smoke can leave a strong smell. This smell can stick to clothes and furniture. Cedar may not be the best choice for indoors.
Safety Considerations
Cedar firewood needs to be stored properly. Keep it in a dry place. Wet wood can be dangerous. It can cause smoke and sparks. Make sure the wood is off the ground. Use a firewood rack or pallets.
Cover the wood with a tarp. This keeps rain off. Allow air to flow around the wood. Good air flow helps the wood to dry. Dry wood burns better and is safer.
Handle cedar firewood with care. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Cedar wood can have sharp edges. Also, the wood can splinter. Splinters can hurt your hands.
Always use the right tools. Use an axe or saw for cutting. Never use your hands. Make sure tools are sharp. Dull tools can slip. Slipping can cause accidents.
Cedar Firewood BTU Rating vs Other Woods
Cedar is a softwood with lower heat output than hardwoods. Here’s how it stacks up:
| Wood Species | BTU/Cord (Million) | Type | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Red Cedar | 13.0 | Softwood | Kindling, campfires |
| White Cedar | 12.2 | Softwood | Outdoor fire pits |
| White Oak | 29.1 | Hardwood | Long-burning heat, indoor fireplaces |
| Hickory | 28.5 | Hardwood | High heat, smoking meat |
| Pine | 14.9 | Softwood | Kindling, campfires |
| Douglas Fir | 20.7 | Softwood | Better heat than cedar but more smoke |
Key takeaway: Eastern red cedar produces about 13 million BTU per cord — roughly half the heat output of oak or hickory. This makes cedar better suited as a fire starter than a primary heating wood. For indoor heating, mix cedar kindling with hardwood logs for a balance of easy ignition and long burn time.
Comparing Cedar With Other Firewoods
Cedar is soft and burns quickly. Oak is hard and burns slowly. Cedar makes a lot of smoke. Oak makes less smoke. Cedar smells nice when it burns. Oak has a mild smell. Cedar can be split easily. Oak is harder to split. Cedar is lighter. Oak is heavy. Cedar can be used for kindling. Oak is good for long, warm fires.
Cedar and pine are both softwoods. Cedar burns slower than pine. Pine burns very fast. Cedar produces less creosote. Pine creates more creosote. Cedar smells pleasant when burned. Pine has a resinous smell. Cedar is easier to split. Pine can be sticky to handle. Cedar is lighter in weight. Pine is also light but sticky. Cedar is good for quick, hot fires. Pine can be used for kindling.
Best Practices For Burning Cedar
Cedar wood needs proper seasoning. This helps it burn better. Fresh cedar has high moisture. Let it dry for six months. Store it in a dry place. Keep it off the ground. Use a wood rack if possible. Split large pieces for faster drying. Smaller pieces dry quicker. Well-seasoned cedar burns cleaner and hotter.
Cedar works well in certain fireplaces. Not all stoves are ideal. Use cedar in open fireplaces. It burns quickly and smells nice. Avoid using cedar in closed stoves. It can create too much creosote. This can be dangerous. Mix cedar with other hardwoods. This helps control the burn rate. Always monitor the fire closely.
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Environmental Impact
Cedar trees grow quickly and are easy to replace. This makes cedar a sustainable choice for firewood. Using cedar for firewood helps manage forests. It keeps the forest healthy by removing dead or fallen trees. This way, new trees can grow. Sustainable practices ensure that we don’t run out of cedar trees.
Burning cedar releases carbon dioxide into the air. This is a greenhouse gas. Cedar burns faster than hardwoods. This means more carbon emissions in less time. Choosing sustainable sources of cedar can help lower overall emissions. Using dead or fallen cedar trees is better for the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Good For Firewood?
Cedar can be used for firewood, but it burns quickly. It produces a pleasant aroma and low smoke. It’s best for kindling or short fires.
How Does Cedar Compare To Other Firewood?
Cedar burns faster and cooler than hardwoods. It produces a lot of heat quickly but doesn’t last long. It’s great for kindling.
Does Cedar Firewood Produce A Lot Of Smoke?
Cedar produces less smoke compared to some other woods. It burns cleanly and creates a pleasant aroma. This makes it ideal for indoor use.
Is Cedar Firewood Safe To Burn Indoors?
Yes, cedar is safe to burn indoors. It produces minimal smoke and has a pleasant scent. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid smoke buildup.
Best Tools for Processing Cedar Firewood
Why we picked it: Cedar’s straight grain splits cleanly with a quality axe. The Fiskars X27’s 36-in handle and convex blade geometry deliver maximum force at contact. Cedar’s low density means it splits easier than hardwoods — this axe will blast through cedar rounds efficiently. The fiberglass handle is weather-resistant and won’t absorb moisture.
Main drawback: The 36-in length requires good overhead clearance; not ideal for smaller splitting blocks or tight spaces.
Why we picked it: Burning cedar and other resinous softwoods causes faster creosote buildup in chimneys. The CSL log releases a chemical when burned that makes creosote deposits brittle and easier to brush out during chimney cleaning. A must-have if you regularly burn cedar indoors.
Main drawback: Not a replacement for annual professional chimney cleaning — it’s a maintenance aid between professional sweeps, not a full solution.
Why we picked it: Burning wet cedar (above 20% moisture content) produces more smoke, more creosote, and less heat. A moisture meter takes the guesswork out — cedar is ready to burn when it reads below 20% MC, ideally 15–18%. Cedar seasons in 6–12 months depending on climate and how it’s stacked.
Main drawback: Pin-type meters require inserting into the wood face — best used on freshly split surfaces rather than the bark side.
