Woods Not Good for Fireplaces

Unseasoned Wood

• Unseasoned wood is also called green wood. This type of wood has not had enough time to naturally dry out after it has been cut from its source. Unseasoned wood may appear dry on the outside, but may still be wet on the inside. The green wood will have a tough time producing a flame. Instead, you will encounter a lot of smoke within the fireplace and possibly through your home.

Wood With Residue

• Wood that has residue can cause damage to the fireplace -- and danger to the home's occupants. "Never burn trees (branches or needles) in a fireplace," warns an article for the Walnut Hill, Florida, local news website, "North Escambia." "Firs and pines have a lot of sap, which can explode." Another example of natural residue is creosote, which can catch fire within the chimney itself, leading to a chimney fire. Driftwood contains a high-salt-content residue that will cause corrosion to your fireplace over time.

Treated Wood

• Never put chemically treated wood into the fireplace. This includes varnished and painted wood. These types of wood may let off chemical fumes when burned which are not good for you, the environment or the fireplace. Additionally, wood with extra non-natural pieces attached to it should not be burned. For example if you have old pallets with nails, remove the nails or don't burn the pallets. The nails could cause damage to the fireplace.

Good Wood

• Look for properly seasoned wood that is clean and dry, without any sort of moisture on it. Seasoned wood will have a discolored look to it, will have natural cracks throughout the logs and will not look freshly-cut. For wood to be properly seasoned, the whole logs are cut in half or quarters, and are exposed for about six months to a year. Look for hardwood rather than than softwood. Types of hardwood that will burn longer in your fireplace include mulberry, cherry, oak and ash.