Tamarack Firewood — BTU Rating, Burn Quality & Tips

Larix laricina

BTU per Cord

20,800,000

Density

3,040 lbs/cord

Category

softwood

Split Difficulty

easy

Spark Rating

high

Smoke Rating

medium

Coaling Quality

fair

Seasoning Time

6 months

Availability

regional

The densest North American softwood and the only native deciduous conifer (drops its needles). Burns hot for a conifer with good heat output. Produces significant sparking, so use in enclosed stoves only. Also known as eastern larch. Splits easily.

Pros

  • +Easy to split
  • +Seasons relatively quickly (6 months)

Cons

  • -fair coaling quality
  • -High sparking — use with a screen or in a stove

Best Uses for Tamarack

Open Fireplace

Not recommended — high sparking

Wood Stove

Good choice

Campfire

Great — easy to light and splits easily

Smoking/Cooking

Not recommended — resinous flavor

Seasoning Tamarack

Tamarack requires approximately 6 months of seasoning to reach the ideal moisture content of 20% or below. Split wood to 3-6 inch pieces and stack with good airflow. Keep the top covered but leave sides open to air. Store off the ground on pallets or rails.

Compare With Similar Species

Douglas Fir

20,700,000 BTU/cord · fair coaling

Juniper

21,600,000 BTU/cord · good coaling

Eastern Red Cedar

18,200,000 BTU/cord · fair coaling

Lodgepole Pine

17,700,000 BTU/cord · poor coaling

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Last updated: December 2024