Buying a Cord of Firewood
Get the amount, the species and how dry it is in writing before the truck shows up.
Your order checklist
Tick each one off once the seller has agreed to it.
What you should get with a cord
Ask for a full cord, the piece length, and what kind of wood it is. Get it on the receipt. A photo of a truckload doesn’t tell you how much is in it. If the seller says “rick,” “load” or “face cord,” ask for the dimensions.
Seasoned vs green
Green wood is freshly cut and too wet to burn well. Seasoned wood has been drying for a while, but “seasoned” on its own doesn’t say how dry it is. Ask when it was split and how it was stored. A cheap moisture meter on a freshly split face tells you for sure.
What does kiln-dried mean?
Kiln-dried wood has been dried in a heated chamber. Some sellers kiln-dry to kill pests rather than to make it burn-ready, so ask what moisture it’s at. If you’re taking wood across state lines, check the local firewood rules too.
Delivery and stacking are two different jobs
Tell the seller where to drop it and how to get there. Ask whether they’ll stack it or just dump it — and if stacking costs extra. Sort out what happens if the load is short before the truck arrives.
Before you pay
Check the wood matches what you ordered: species, length, dryness. Look for rot. Stack it, measure it, and take photos. It’s much easier to sort out a short load the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I burn painted or treated wood?
No. It gives off toxic fumes. Burn clean, untreated firewood only.
Can I buy green wood to burn tonight?
You can, but it’ll hiss, smoke and give little heat. Buy green wood for next year.
Can I take firewood to another state?
Often not. Many states restrict moving firewood to stop tree pests. Buy it near where you’ll burn it.
What should the receipt say?
How much, which species, piece length, how dry, whether stacking is included, and the seller’s contact.