Local firewood: how to find quality kiln-dried wood in Fairfield and Westchester

Local firewood should be easy to find, but it is hard to judge from a roadside sign. Homeowners in Fairfield County, Connecticut, have plenty of places to buy wood, and the quality varies a lot. Moisture and sourcing matter more than the number on the price tag.

Wood quality is easy to check once you know what to look for. A few quick tests tell you whether a load will burn well or sit in the fireplace and smoke.

What counts as local firewood

Local has two meanings.

One is where the wood grew. The other is where the supplier sits and how quickly they can reach you.

New York cares about the first meaning. The Department of Environmental Conservation says untreated firewood grown in New York may not travel more than 50 miles from its source. Heat-treated wood, which reaches 160°F for 75 minutes, can move without restriction.

Nearby supplier, distant forest

Premier is based in Wilton, Connecticut, and harvests its wood from family land in Vermont. That makes Premier a nearby supplier rather than a nearby forest, and we say so plainly. Ask any seller where the wood grew and expect a direct answer.

A nearby supplier can also bring the wood to you. Premier’s firewood delivery service covers Fairfield and Westchester counties.

Where to look for wood in your area

You have more options than you might expect.

Roadside and farm stands

Stands are convenient and often cheap. Quality varies from one stand to the next, so inspect the wood before you pay. Ask how long the wood has dried.

Also ask who cut it and where. A stand that cannot answer is selling wood of unknown origin, which matters if the wood will cross a state line.

Hardware and big box stores

Stores sell bundles for convenience. A bundle suits a single evening by the fire, not a winter of burning.

Tree services and regional suppliers

Tree services often sell freshly cut wood, and fresh wood needs time to dry. Penn State Extension says natural drying generally takes 6 to 12 months. A Stamford homeowner who needs wood this week cannot wait that long.

Regional suppliers that kiln-dry their wood remove the wait. For a full comparison of your options, read where to buy firewood.

How to judge firewood quality before you pay

Dry wood looks and sounds different.

Check the moisture

Penn State Extension recommends about 20% moisture for clean burning. Ask the seller for a reading, and ask them to take it on a freshly split face. Premier’s kiln-dried hardwoods run at 10 to 15%.

Look and listen

Dry splits feel lighter, with cracks in the end grain and loose bark. Knock two pieces together. A hollow clack suggests dry wood, and a dull thud suggests moisture.

Weigh price against the burn

A low price per load can hide a high cost per fire. Wet wood hisses, smokes, and gives off less heat, so you burn more of it to stay warm. Compare what each load includes, not only what it costs.

Check for pests and mold

Good wood is free of bugs, mold, and debris. Premier stores all of its wood indoors for that reason. For more on how drying methods compare, read kiln-dried versus seasoned firewood.

Questions to ask any nearby supplier

A short phone call tells you a lot.

• Where was the wood grown and cut?
• Is it kiln-dried, air-dried, or freshly cut?
• What moisture does it test at?
• Is stacking included, or is it an extra charge?
• How do you measure a face cord, in inches?

A supplier who answers all five without hesitation has probably answered them before. Hesitation, or an answer that changes when you ask again, is a reason to keep calling around.

Delivery or pickup: which saves more effort

The answer depends on your truck and your back.

Pickup saves the delivery trip and lets you inspect the wood in person. It also means loading, hauling, and stacking the wood yourself, and a full load is heavy work.

Delivery puts the wood where you want it. With Premier, the crew stacks it and sweeps the porch before leaving, so you can light a fire the same evening.

When pickup makes sense

Pickup suits small orders and people who want to see the wood first. Bring a truck or trailer and gloves, and plan time to stack at home.

When delivery makes sense

Delivery suits larger orders, tight schedules, and anyone who would rather not stack a cord by hand. Tell the supplier where the stack should go so the crew places it correctly. Premier takes orders online and by phone at 203-866-4252.

What to do when your wood arrives

Good habits protect a good load.

Check a few splits for moisture and look for mold or insects before the crew leaves. If the wood is not what you ordered, say so right away.

Keep the stack off the ground and covered on top, with the sides open so air can move. Dry wood stays dry only when it is stored well. A rack with a Velcro top, like the ones Premier offers, keeps a small supply tidy and protected.

Local firewood from Premier Firewood Company

Premier is a family business started in 2012 by the Vasale family.

The wood is kiln-dried oak, maple, ash, beech, cherry, and birch at 10 to 15% moisture. The company reports up to 35% more heat than traditionally seasoned wood.

Local orders arrive with transport, stacking, and a porch sweep. Premier also offers delivery racks with Velcro tops for dry storage. You can pick up an order at 3 Pimpewaug Rd, too.

Beyond Fairfield and Westchester

Premier’s Kiln-to-hearth™ shipping, launched in 2021, sends kiln-dried wood nationwide. See the wood for warmth page for the heating woods.