Plymouth Tree Felling Sparks Warning: Seasoned Wood vs Green Wood

Recent reports of trees cut for stove fuel in Plymouth highlight the dangers of burning green wood. Experts recommend seasoned logs as the cleaner, hotter, and safer choice for wood burner owners.

June 4, 2015
By Reece Toscani
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Woodburner News

Tree felling in Plymouth raises alarm

Reports have emerged this week of wood burner owners cutting down trees in Plymouth’s Central Park in an attempt to source free fuel for their stoves. This has reignited the debate around burning seasoned wood vs green wood. As many as 15 trees are believed to have been felled in recent days, prompting concern from both the local council and stove industry experts. With gas and electricity prices on the rise, more households are turning to wood burners for affordable heating. Yet the cost of logs has also increased, and some people have turned to felling fresh timber.

The hidden dangers of free fuel

On the surface, cutting down trees for fuel may seem like a cost-saving move. However, what many don’t realise is that freshly cut timber is “green wood,” meaning it contains a very high level of moisture. In the debate of burning seasoned wood vs green wood, the risks of choosing the latter are severe. Green wood is hard to light, smokes heavily, and deposits dangerous tar inside chimneys. What looks like a thrifty solution is, in reality, a recipe for mounting costs and serious safety hazards.

Expert warning against green wood

Burning wood that has not been correctly dried and prepared for your burner is a very bad idea. Green wood is damp wood, and this can cause a build-up of creosote tar in your chimney, which must be cleared out. This tar-like substance is also highly flammable, and very likely to cause a chimney fire if it is not removed. So what may seem like a cheap alternative in the beginning could lead to a very costly and even dangerous outcome.

These comments underline the central issue of burning seasoned wood vs green wood: one protects your stove and home, the other puts them at risk.

Why seasoned wood is the smarter choice

The preferred fuel for any wood burner is properly seasoned logs – ideally kiln dried. Seasoned wood is cut, stored, and dried for many months, reducing its moisture content to below 20%. Kiln-dried logs go further, ensuring consistent dryness and efficient burning. The best type of fuel for a wood burner is kiln dried wood, with a lower moisture content and burns with greater heat.

This is where the debate over burning seasoned wood vs green wood becomes most practical. Seasoned logs not only burn cleaner and hotter, they also produce less smoke, reduce the likelihood of chimney fires, and protect the long-term efficiency of your stove.

Green wood: a false economy

The appeal of “free fuel” is understandable in tough economic times, but burning green wood is a classic false economy. Its moisture content means lower heat output, more smoke, and faster build-up of soot and tar. This leads to increased sweeping bills, a greater risk of chimney fires, and even potential damage to the stove itself. When weighed up properly, burning seasoned wood vs green wood shows just how costly a mistake green logs can be.

A reminder for wood burner owners

The situation in Plymouth is a timely reminder of why responsible fuel choices matter. Chopping down fresh trees may seem like a shortcut, but it endangers both property and personal safety. By sticking to seasoned or kiln-dried wood, stove owners get the warmth they expect, protect their investment, and keep their homes safe. The message is clear: when it comes to burning seasoned wood vs green wood, the seasoned option is always the safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective path.

👉 “Have you ever tried burning green wood, or do you always stick to seasoned logs? Share your experiences in the comments below – we’d love to hear your thoughts.”

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Reece Toscani

Reece has over two decades in the fireplace and stove world — testing, reviewing, and occasionally getting covered in soot, all in the name of wood-fired home heating. He cuts through the nonsense, busts the myths, and shares straight-talking advice to help you enjoy your stove without the confusion. From Fireplace Products to Redefining Woodburners, if it burns wood, he’s probably tested it, fixed it, or argued about it. Now, through Woodburner Insights, he shares that experience with the world — both here and on YouTube.