Dogwood (Cornus species), particularly the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), is a dense hardwood known for its ornamental value. Despite its common use in landscaping, dogwood wood is highly effective as a fuel source. It is considered a high-quality firewood, offering substantial and enduring heat output due to its density and efficient burning characteristics.
Wood Density and Heat Output
Dogwood is a dense hardwood, which is the primary factor determining its superior heat output. The wood’s density dictates the amount of fiber packed into a given volume, directly translating to its energy content. Dogwood trees grow slowly, developing a tight grain structure that makes the wood heavy when dry, similar to premium species like oak or hickory.
The measure of heat energy in firewood is quantified in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per cord. Flowering Dogwood can yield an impressive heat content of up to 31.1 million BTUs per cord, placing it among the highest-ranking firewoods available. For comparison, this figure is higher than many varieties of oak and is comparable to some of the best burning woods like Osage orange.
This high energy density ensures that a Dogwood log burns for a long time, providing a sustained, intense heat rather than a quick, flashy flame. The wood also creates excellent, long-lasting coals, which continue to radiate warmth long after the flames have subsided. This coaling property makes it especially desirable for overnight burns in wood stoves or for cooking applications where consistent heat is necessary.
Processing and Seasoning Characteristics
The high density that provides Dogwood its excellent heat also presents challenges during processing. Dogwood has a tough, interlocking grain structure, making it difficult to split by hand. Using a splitting maul or wedge requires significant effort, so many prefer a hydraulic splitter for larger pieces.
Once split, the second challenge is seasoning, which is the time required for the wood’s moisture content to drop below 20%. Due to its inherent density, Dogwood logs require a longer drying period than less dense woods, often needing between 12 and 18 months to fully season. The pieces must be stacked off the ground and loosely covered to maximize airflow and ensure efficient moisture evaporation.
Smoke, Sparking, and Sourcing
When properly seasoned and burned, Dogwood produces a clean flame with minimal smoke and creosote formation. Excessive smoke and the buildup of creosote, a flammable tar residue in the chimney, are primarily caused by burning wood with a high moisture content. Since Dogwood burns so hot and cleanly once dry, it minimizes these unwanted byproducts, contributing to safer and more efficient heating.
The wood also has a low tendency for sparking or popping during the burn, making it a safe choice for open fireplaces. The primary difficulty with Dogwood firewood is not its quality, but its availability, as the tree is small and frequently grown as an ornamental in yards and parks.
Dogwood trees rarely grow to a large diameter, meaning the logs are typically smaller than those from species like Oak or Maple. Because it is not a common commercial logging tree, finding Dogwood for sale in large quantities, such as a full cord, is uncommon. Most Dogwood firewood becomes available only when storm-damaged or dead ornamental trees are removed, making it a prized, but limited, resource for the dedicated wood burner.