Can Oak logs be burned straight after cutting?

No. Freshly cut oak logs should never be burned straight away. Like all newly felled timber, green oak contains a high level of moisture, often well over 50%. Before it can be used as firewood, that moisture needs to be reduced to below 20% so the logs burn efficiently, produce plenty of heat and comply with Ready to Burn standards.

Oak is particularly important to dry properly because it is one of the densest and slowest-growing firewood species. An oak tree can take many decades to reach maturity, storing an enormous amount of energy within its wood. Burning it before it has dried properly wastes much of that stored energy, as your stove first has to boil off the excess water before the wood can produce useful heat.

Seasoned Oak vs Kiln Dried Oak

Traditionally, oak logs were seasoned outdoors for two to three years before they were dry enough to burn. Even then, the weather has a huge influence on how much moisture is removed. A stack of seasoned oak stored in a damp British climate may still contain far more moisture than ideal, leading to slower ignition, smoky fires and reduced heat output.

Kiln drying is a much more reliable method. By carefully controlling heat, airflow and humidity, kiln dried oak logs are dried to a moisture content below 20%. This means they light more easily, burn hotter, produce less smoke and leave fewer deposits inside your chimney or flue.

Because oak is naturally dense, the difference between seasoned and kiln dried logs is often even more noticeable than it is with lighter hardwoods.

Don't waste good oak

Oak is one of the finest firewoods you can buy, but only when it has been dried properly. Burning green oak is rather like buying premium coffee beans and making them with cold water - you've paid for quality without getting the full benefit.

If you've invested in quality oak logs such as oak in barrow bags, an oak large crate, oak handy bag or oak net, make sure they're properly kiln dried. You'll enjoy longer burn times, more heat from every log and a cleaner, more efficient fire, making the most of a tree that has taken many years to grow.