How much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood—into one of a huge variety of modern wood stoves or fireplace inserts? Well, as much as he could find and haul. It’s a macho thing. But which wood would the woodchuck chuck into his beat up pickup truck, chainsaw and splitter in hand?
Traditional wisdom states that softwoods burn dirtier, wetter, and faster than hardwoods (with some notable exceptions such as poplar and willow). Actually, the wisdom should turn to another detail—seasoning. While soft woods (firs, evergreens) do burn faster and therefore less efficiently, if you are burning your wood wet soft woods are actually better. Because these logs burn so quickly the moisture is expelled out of the chimney at a greater speed, leaving less creosote to condense inside of the flue. Hardwoods, when wet, actually burn much slower and leave much more remnants behind.
Also, firs and evergreens are noticeable for their aroma and the popping noises they make, a holiday standby that is often missed when it is lacking. And softwoods dry much more quickly, usually a year or two to hardwood’s three or four. But you need a lot more wood to burn for the same length of time.
As far as woods to avoid, avoid white oak (which never seems to burn away completely) as well as species such as poplar, willow, chestnut, and cotton wood. And never burn any treated wood as the results can be highly damaging and, frankly, toxic.