The Short Answer
Most firewood needs between 6 months and 2 years to season. Softwoods such as spruce and pine usually take around 6 to 12 months. Hardwoods such as ash and beech typically take 1 to 2 years, and dense oak can take longer. In Ireland's damp climate, expect the longer end of those ranges. Time is only a guide, though. The real test is moisture content: logs are ready to burn at 20% or below.
What Moisture Content Should Firewood Be?
Firewood burns best at 20% moisture or below. A freshly felled tree can be 40 to 60% water by weight, which is far too wet to burn properly. As wood seasons, that figure drops: part-seasoned wood sits at roughly 25 to 35%, and well-seasoned wood gets down to around 20%.
The New 20% Limit for Firewood Sold in Ireland
Under the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022, as amended in 2025, wood logs sold in units of 2 cubic metres or less must have a moisture content below 20%. That limit took effect on 1 September 2026, replacing the previous limit of 25%. Wood sold in larger quantities (more than 2 cubic metres) can still be wetter, but it must come with a notice explaining that it needs to be stored and seasoned before use.
These rules apply to sellers, and local authorities enforce them. If you're seasoning your own wood, the same 20% figure is still the best target for a clean, efficient burn.
How to Season Firewood Properly
- Split logs early. Splitting exposes more surface area, so moisture escapes much faster.
- Stack off the ground. Use pallets or bearers to keep logs out of wet soil.
- Leave gaps for airflow. A loose stack in a sunny, breezy spot dries far faster than a tight stack in shade.
- Cover the top only. Keep rain off, but leave the sides open. Don't wrap logs in plastic, which traps moisture inside.
- Be patient. Natural seasoning often takes two summers in Ireland, so start well ahead of when you need the wood.
How to Tell If Firewood Is Ready to Burn
- Moisture meter. The most reliable method. Split a log and press the meter's pins into the freshly exposed face, along the grain. A reading of 20% or below means it's ready.
- Weight. Dry logs feel noticeably lighter than wet logs of the same size and species.
- Sound. Two dry logs knocked together give a sharp clack. Wet logs give a dull thud.
- Appearance. Cracks in the end grain and greyer, darker ends are good signs.
- Warning signs. Hissing or bubbling at the log ends, a smoky fire, and blackened stove glass all point to wood that's still too wet.
Why Wet Firewood Is a Problem
Wet wood wastes energy boiling off water instead of heating your home. It produces more smoke, and it builds up creosote in your chimney, which raises the risk of a chimney fire. It's also the reason behind the new rules: burning solid fuel at home is a major source of fine particle pollution in Ireland.
Using Wood From a Felled Tree
If you have a tree removed, you don't have to lose the timber. You can choose to keep it: we cut the wood into 12-inch rounds and stack it for you, or split it on site if you ask. Whatever you keep is green wood, so stack it early and plan to burn it in a later winter, not the first.
Not everything from a tree makes good firewood. Thin branches and brash burn poorly and are better chipped and used as mulch (see our woodchip page). And if you'd rather skip the waiting, our firewood page has details of the seasoned hardwood and softwood logs we sell, with free local delivery.
Why Cork & Kerry Homeowners Choose Heritage Tree Care Ltd
We turn wood from our own tree work into logs, so we know how much difference proper drying makes. Our team is fully insured and NPTC and ISA qualified, and happy to talk through what happens to the timber when a tree comes down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does firewood take to season in Ireland?
Usually 6 to 12 months for softwoods and 1 to 2 years for hardwoods, sometimes longer in damp conditions. A moisture reading of 20% or below is the real test.
What moisture content should firewood be?
20% or below for clean, efficient burning.
Is there a legal moisture limit for firewood in Ireland?
Yes. Since 1 September 2026, wood logs sold in units of 2 cubic metres or less must have a moisture content below 20%, down from 25% before. The rules apply to sellers.
Can I burn freshly cut wood?
It's not recommended. Freshly cut wood can be 40 to 60% water, so it burns poorly, gives off a lot of smoke, and builds up creosote in the flue. Season it first.
How can I check if firewood is dry without a moisture meter?
Check the weight (dry logs are lighter), the sound (a sharp clack rather than a thud), and cracks in the end grain. A moisture meter is still the only reliable method.
Want to keep the timber from a tree removal, or order logs for the winter? Contact Heritage Tree Care Ltd or call 083 2060088.
