Seasoning Firewood: How Long It Takes and How It Works (A Guide for Columbus and Akron Homeowners)
Seasoning is what turns heavy, wet wood into firewood that lights easily and burns clean. Here's how the drying process works and roughly how long it takes in Ohio.
If you've ever wondered why some firewood roars to life and other wood just smolders, the answer is almost always seasoning. Whether you're shopping for firewood in Columbus or splitting your own in Akron, understanding how wood dries, and how long it really takes, will help you get better fires all winter. Our family at Mike Jones & Sons Tree Service has been cutting, splitting and drying wood for over four decades, so here's the simple version of how it works.
Need wood that's ready now? Our seasoned firewood is dried and ready to burn the day it arrives.
Order Seasoned Firewood – Akron-Cleveland | Order Firewood – Columbus
What "Seasoning" Actually Means
A living tree is full of water. When it's cut, that wood is called green wood, and a large share of its weight is water. Seasoning is simply the process of letting that water evaporate until the wood is dry enough to burn well. The common goal is a moisture content below 20 percent.
Dry wood puts its energy into heat and flame. Wet wood wastes energy boiling off water, which gives you more smoke, less warmth and more creosote in your chimney.
How Firewood Dries
Wood loses most of its moisture through the cut ends and any exposed surfaces. That's why the way you handle it matters so much:
- Cut it to length. Shorter pieces dry faster than long logs.
- Split it. Splitting opens up the inside of the wood to air and speeds drying a lot. Whole rounds can sit for a very long time and stay wet inside.
- Stack it for airflow. Air moving around each piece carries moisture away. A tight, messy pile dries slowly and can start to rot.
- Give it sun and wind. A sunny, breezy spot works better than a shady, damp corner.
- Keep it off the ground and covered on top. Ground moisture and rain slow everything down. Leave the sides open.

Photo: Kaboompics / Pexels
How Long Does Seasoning Take?
There's no single answer, because it depends on the type of wood, how it's split and stacked, and the weather. As a general rule of thumb:
- Softer woods like pine, spruce or poplar can be ready in around six months under good conditions.
- Most hardwoods like maple, ash and cherry usually need six months to a year.
- Dense hardwoods like oak can take a year or longer, sometimes closer to two.
Ohio weather plays a part too. Our humid summers and wet springs mean wood often takes a bit longer than it would in a dry climate. Wood that's split and stacked in late winter or spring has the whole summer and early fall to dry, which is why a lot of folks plan a year ahead.
The calendar is only a guide. The best way to know is to test it. Split a piece and check the fresh inside with a moisture meter. You can also look for cracks on the ends, a lighter weight and a hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together.
Short on time this season? Skip the year-long wait. We deliver and stack seasoned firewood in Columbus, Akron-Cleveland and Seattle.
Order Seasoned Firewood Delivery | Call or Text (234) 300-2311
Common Seasoning Mistakes
- Leaving logs unsplit. Big rounds dry painfully slowly.
- Covering the whole stack with a tarp. A tarp wrapped to the ground traps moisture. Cover the top only.
- Stacking against the house. It blocks airflow and invites insects close to your home.
- Burning it too soon. If it hisses or steams, give it more time.

Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels
Season It Yourself or Order Firewood: Columbus, Akron and Cleveland
Some homeowners enjoy seasoning their own wood, and if that's you, we can provide green wood to get you started. If you'd rather just have a good fire tonight, our seasoned firewood is guaranteed seasoned and ready to go. Mike Jones & Sons Tree Service, LLC is a family business with over four decades of experience, we're fully insured, and we'll deliver and stack your firewood where you need it. Delivery is priced by mileage.
- 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
Ready for firewood that burns right? Choose your area to book, or call or text (234) 300-2311.
Order Seasoned Firewood – Akron-Cleveland
Visit Us at: https://www.mikejonessonstreeservice.com/









