How to Buy Firewood: What to Ask Before Seasoned Firewood Delivery and How to Spot Green Wood
Not all firewood sold as seasoned is ready to burn. Learn the questions to ask before you order seasoned firewood delivery, and four simple ways to spot green wood.
Buying firewood seems simple until you get a load home and it hisses, smokes and refuses to catch. The truth is that a lot of wood sold as "seasoned" isn't quite there yet. Whether you're looking for seasoned firewood delivery in Akron, Cleveland or Columbus, knowing what to ask and what to look for will save you money, frustration and a smoky living room. Here's what our family has learned from over four decades in the tree and firewood business.
Want wood that's guaranteed seasoned? Mike Jones & Sons delivers and stacks it for you.
Order Seasoned Firewood – Akron-Cleveland | Call or Text (234) 300-2311
Green Wood vs. Seasoned Firewood
Green wood is freshly cut. It's still full of water, and when you burn it, much of the fire's energy goes into boiling that water off instead of heating your home. That means more smoke, less heat and more creosote building up in your chimney.
Seasoned firewood has been split and left to dry until most of that moisture is gone. The usual target is a moisture content below 20 percent. Wood in that range lights easily, burns hot and steady, and produces much less smoke.
Green wood isn't "bad wood." It's just not ready yet. Some people buy it on purpose to season at home. The problem is only when green wood is sold as ready to burn.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy Firewood
A good firewood seller won't mind any of these:
- Is it seasoned, and how was it dried? Ask how long the wood has been split and stacked.
- What kind of wood is it? Dense hardwoods give longer-lasting heat; softer woods light fast and burn quicker.
- How much am I actually getting? Ask for the amount in cords or a clear fraction of a cord, not "a truckload" or "a pile."
- What's the piece length? Make sure the pieces fit your fireplace or stove.
- Is delivery and stacking included? Find out how delivery is priced and whether they'll stack it for you.
- Is the wood clean? You want firewood, not a load of bark, dirt and debris.

Photo: Mike Jones & Sons Tree Service
Four Easy Ways to Tell if Firewood Is Seasoned
You don't need to be an expert to check your wood. Use a few of these together:
1. Use a Moisture Meter
This is the most reliable test. Inexpensive moisture meters are easy to find at hardware stores. Split a piece open and test the fresh inside face, not the outside. A reading under about 20 percent means the wood is ready to burn.
2. Look for Cracks and Color
Seasoned firewood usually has cracks, or "checks," running out from the center on the cut ends. The ends often look gray or faded instead of bright and fresh. Bark may be loose or falling off. Green wood tends to look fresh and solid, sometimes with a damp or sappy feel.
3. Feel the Weight
Pick up two pieces of about the same size. Dry wood is noticeably lighter because the water is gone. If a piece feels surprisingly heavy for its size, it's probably still wet.
4. Listen to the Sound
Knock two pieces together. Seasoned firewood makes a sharp, hollow "clack." Green wood makes a dull "thud." It sounds simple, but once you've heard the difference, you won't forget it.
Skip the guesswork. Our seasoned firewood is split, dried and guaranteed ready to burn, with delivery in Akron-Cleveland, Columbus and Seattle.
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Red Flags When Buying Firewood
- Prices quoted for vague amounts like "a load" or "a rick" with no measurements
- Wood that hisses, bubbles or steams when you burn it
- Lots of mold, mushrooms or soft, crumbly pieces
- A seller who can't tell you how long the wood has been drying
It's also a good idea to buy firewood from a local source. Moving firewood long distances can spread tree pests, and a local company knows its wood and stands behind it.

Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels
Seasoned Firewood Delivery from Mike Jones & Sons
Mike Jones & Sons Tree Service, LLC is a family business with over four decades of experience, and we're fully insured. Our seasoned firewood is guaranteed seasoned, and we'll deliver it and stack it anywhere you need it on your property. Delivery is priced by mileage. Prefer to season your own? Ask us about green wood.
- Our seasoned firewood (Akron-Cleveland and Columbus): 1/6 cord $274.12 · Face cord (1/3 cord) $548.24 · VIP Full Cord Plan $1,422
- Seattle, WA: 1/6 cord $412.50 · Face cord (1/3 cord) $825
Order firewood you can trust. Choose your area to book delivery, or call or text (234) 300-2311 with any questions.
Order Seasoned Firewood – Akron-Cleveland | Order Firewood – Columbus | Order Firewood – Seattle | Call or Text (234) 300-2311









