AG VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & AG Landscape Materials, Inc.

I know I seem to blog a lot about firewood, but there is so much confusion out there regarding firewood I just feel the need to educate consumers the best that I can. Whether you purchase your firewood from A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. or from another source, I hope that you consider some of this information so that you do get the right product.

Let’s start with types of firewood – Of course, you can burn practically any type of tree wood that is available. However, there are some “woods” that I don’t recommend for indoor fireplaces. These woods include Spruces, Pines, Firs, any type of “soft” evergreen which may actually cause damage or facilitate the deposit of creosote in your chimney. Here at A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. we sell Oak firewood and Mixed Firewood. Our Oak includes Red and White Oak. Oak is a harder, denser wood than the majority of the mixed wood that we sell. The Oak will normally burn at a higher therm rate which will result in a hotter fire. The coals which form from the Oak will also add to the heat and the Oak will also burn longer than the Mixed. Some people find that the Oak may be a little hard to start because of the denseness, but once it catches, it burns. We also sell a Mixed Firewood. Our Mixed firewood consists of predominately Maples, Locust, Ash and Oak, although other varieties are also found within the various face cords that we stack here. Some of those woods include Hickory, Walnut, Alder, Cherry and some Birch – remember not all face cords will include all these different types of wood. The Mixed firewood tends to burn a little faster than the straight Oak and common theory is that because it burns at an overall lower therm rate, the fire tends to be not as hot; however, from my personal experience, I have found that the Mixed firewood provides plenty of warmth, especially in the room the fireplace is located. The flames from the mixed wood are usually a little more “showy”, a little more flame, less coals, a little more color within the flames. Some people think an overall prettier fire.

Seasoned Firewood is wood that has been cut and split and has sat for a period of time so that the moisture draws out of the wood. Usually, firewood should sit a minimum of 9 – 13 months in order to be seasoned. Of course, the longer it sits the more ‘seasoned” it becomes. The firewood that we sell here has been sitting at least 10 months – in most cases a minimum of 12 months. In order to ensure the readiness of the firewood, I will do a test burn from the different stacks. This way I personally know that the firewood I sell is ready to burn.

Next, I’d like to address the quantities in which firewood is sold. Firewood is normally sold in Full Cords, Face Cords, ½ Face Cords, Ricks, and Bundles. The most common quantity we sell here at A.G. Landscape Materials is a Face Cord. A face cord is an increment of stacked firewood. The stacked firewood should measure 4’ X 8’ X 1 log. The number of pieces of firewood varies, depending on the size of the pieces. Another factor in determining the number of pieces within the face cord is how it is stacked. We cross-stack the firewood at the ends, this makes for a more stable stack of wood. Some companies will cross-stack the entire face cord, this does result in a little more air getting through, but it also results in less firewood and since my customers don’t pay by the piece, I want to provide as much firewood within the face cord or ½ face cord that I can. Full Cords are 3 face cords. When it is stacked it is normally 4’ X 8’ X 3 pieces deep. Half Face Cords are just that; stacked wood that is 2’ X 8’ or 4’ X 4’. We sell in 30 piece and 60 piece ricks also. Obviously ricks are more than a bundle (which contains 5 – 10 pieces) but less than ½ Face Cord.

Where To Store Firewood – Personally, I like to store my firewood outdoors at my home. Keeping it outside enhances the seasoning process as the wind/air will maintain he dryness of the wood. I do throw a tarp over the top of the wood, just to keep the snow and rain off. Some of my customers like to keep their wood in the garage as that’s the most convenient place, especially when there’s a rack in which to stack the firewood. This isn’t a bad idea, however, be warned that as warmer weather approaches the wood may attract insects. Storing in the basement is my least favorite option, although a viable one. Most basements are rather high in humidity and therefore can actually put more moisture into the wood. However, barring any other alternatives, it’s not horrible.

Firewood is available year round here at A.G. Landscape Materials. As expected, the fall/winter months are our busiest, but with the popularity of outdoor firepits and outdoor fireplaces we sell a lot of firewood in the spring/summer months as well. More and more people are cooking with firewood, too. For cooking/smoking purposes, I would recommend using the Oak firewood. Some people prefer to remove most of the bark when cooking with it; leaving the bark on gives your food a very intense smoky flavor.

Keep in mind that my yard is open to the public, so that you are more than welcome to come to our location at 24 W 733 Lake Street, in Roselle, IL to see the firewood yourself. Once you’re here, purchase 30 or 60 pieces. Maybe purchase 30 of Mixed and 30 of Oak, that way when you get home you can play with the different types of wood and see which one you like better. Or, if you like what you see you, can set up a delivery. We do also offer stacking services, with a few restrictions.

The main point when ordering firewood is to be sure that you are getting it from a reputable seller.

Please check out our website at www.agvangundy.com for more information or call us at (630) 295-8190 for our hours.