Softwood vs. Hardwood: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing firewood for your Northern home? Softwood or hardwood? At Northern Firewood Co, we champion kiln-dried softwood (Larch) for its value and practicality. Here’s why softwood beats hardwood for warming homes in Scotland and Northern England.

Softwood vs. Hardwood: The Basics

Softwoods (pine, spruce, larch) grow fast in Scotland’s forests, making them abundant and affordable. Hardwoods (oak, ash, birch) are denser, slower-growing, and costlier. These traits drive differences in cost, burn rate and sustainability.

Softwood’s Edge: Cost & Availability

Softwood is a Northern Star being cheap and local. Over 80% of Scotland’s timber is softwood, keeping prices at £100–£150 per cubic meter vs. £150–£250 for hardwood. Fast-growing trees (20–40 years vs. 60–100 for hardwood) and local sourcing in the Borders and Galloway regions cuts costs and emissions. Hardwood, often imported these days, has a bigger carbon footprint. 

Heat: Hardwood’s Strength, Softwood’s Value

Hardwood’s density gives more heat per volume (~2100kWh/m³ for ash vs. ~1700 kWh/m³ for larch), burning longer so ideal for overnight fires. But softwood, at £100–£150/m³, is often 30–50% cheaper. A cubic meter of kiln-dried softwood delivers ~75% of hardwood’s heat for less cost, offering better value. Softwood ignites fast, perfect for quick heat in modern stoves especially for those evening burners setting their fire after work.

Kiln-Dried: The Game-Changer

Kiln-dried logs (<20% moisture) burn cleanly, whether softwood or hardwood. Our Scottish-sourced, kiln-dried softwood produces minimal smoke and tar, keeping flues clear and reducing chimney fire risks. Hardwood burns longer, but softwood’s just as clean when dried.

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps emphasize; burning kiln-dried wood, regardless of type, slashes tar buildup, reducing maintenance costs and fire risks

Eco-Win: Softwood’s Sustainability

Softwood forests regrow quickly, supporting sustainable Scottish forestry. Hardwoods take decades, making softwood greener for frequent use. Local sourcing cuts emissions further.

Verdict: Softwood for the win for Northern Climes

Kiln-dried softwood is affordable, sustainable, and plentiful, delivering great heat for less. Hardwood’s longer burn costs more and is less eco-friendly. Choose softwood for cozy, budget-friendly fires.

Addressing the Myths

•    “Softwood tars up flues”: Not true with kiln-dried softwood. Proper drying allows timber to burn hotter with less water vapour so ensuring a clean burn.
•    “Hardwood is always better”: Only if you value burn time over cost. For most homes, softwood’s affordability and availability outweigh hardwood’s marginal heat advantage. 
•    “Softwood burns too fast”: This is a feature for quick heat or smaller stoves, and modern stove design (with solid airflow control) mitigates the need for constant reloading.

Tips for Burning Softwood 

1.    Use kiln-dried logs for clean burns. 
2.    Store in a dry, ventilated space. 
3.    Clean chimneys yearly to minimize tar. 
4.    Burn at 250–350°C for efficiency.