Follow these tips when purchasing firewood

As the calendar turns to fall, some homeowners start purchasing, burning, storing and selecting firewood. Firewood can be purchased from individuals, dealers or retail stores, or many people cut their own firewood.

"The cost of firewood can vary a great deal depending on the price, size of load, and related issues," says John Church, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Rockford.

With the new pest, Emerald Ash Borer, buyers should be aware of the source of their firewood and not transport the pest via the firewood. Many northeastern Illinois counties also have a quarantine on movement of ash wood.

If buying wood, the best practice is to call several suppliers to determine the source and type of firewood, as well as to compare the cost, based on factors such as quantity, quality for desired use, delivery, and their willingness to stack the wood. Quantity is the first starting point for "comparison shopping". Be sure to find out if the price is based on a cord, face cord, pickup truckload or some other amount. A cord is a stack approximately 4 feet high, 4 feet deep and 8 feet long with pieces that are 4 inches or larger in diameter. A face cord is a less precise standard measurement, but usually means a stack equal in height and length, but less in depth compared to a standard cord.

"Pickup truckloads can vary the most," Church said. Be sure to ask if it is a full-size or small truck and if it is stacked to the top of the cab or just to the top of the box. A standard, full size pickup truck, stacked to the top of the cab, can hold approximately a cord of wood. To the top of the box, such a truck can hold approximately two-thirds of a cord. A small-size pickup stacked to the top of the cab can hold about half of a cord and to the top of thee box it can hold about one-third of a cord.

Quality is also a factor. Different types of wood have different characteristics, such as amount of heat, length of burn time, aroma, smoking, sparking, and other differences. Fireplace users often prefer the aroma and desire less sparking, but are not as concerned about the heating value. Wood stove or furnace owners look for high heat energy. Quality considerations also include the age or dryness of the wood and the internal condition of the firewood pieces, such as solid or decayed. Information on wood heating value of wood and related topics can be found at U of I. Extension Web site web.extension.uiuc.edu/forestry/timber ha vest/firewood.html.

Also, when shopping for firewood, ask if the price includes delivery and stacking. Size of the firewood may also be a factor. Ideally, the pieces should be pre-cut to a few inches shorter than the firebox in which it will be burned.

"By using some good consumer shopping skills, wood burners can be successfully prepared for the long winter ahead," Church said.