Best Smelling Firewood: [The Top 5 Of All Time]


Best Smelling Firewood

Did you ever wonder what the best smelling firewood is? There are so many different kinds of trees in this world, that it would be impossible to be able to get a sniff of all of them burning in your fireplace. Some trees only grow in certain parts of the world.

So, with that in mind, I searched websites and forums online to find out what the best smelling firewood is and that is how I came up with this list.

Some of them, you might not agree with, but that is understandable. Different strokes for different folks. It is all about personal preference. One important note is, this list is in no particular order. So, let’s get to it, shall we?

1. Cedar

Best Smelling Firewood

Cedar firewood contains a lot of natural oils that give off a very nice smell when burned. The cedar tree produces these oils to protect itself from bugs and other pests that want a shot at it.

The smell is very similar to pine wood. which is why this will be the only pine type tree on my list. Just make sure it’s seasoned before you got to burn it.

If not, this type of wood has been known to leave a lot of residue in your chimney pipe. And that can lead to a chimney fire. Cedar also makes great kindling!

2. Hickory

best smelling wood

Hickory is one of the top firewoods you can burn because of its density. It will last longer than most other types of hardwood. The smell of hickory almost reminds me of the smell of a freshly baked ham or I could just be hungry, not sure.

Either way, hickory is one of my favorites because of the reasons mentioned above.

A lot of people use it for cooking and smoking. So, not only does it smell good, but it also has a good taste to it.

3. Cherry

best smelling wood

This one is my personal favorite! I love the smell that cherry wood gives off. You can smell it while your splitting it, let alone burning it. Plus the smell of cherry is a long-lasting smell, even after the fire is out. It’s not the best firewood to use to heat your home.

But it certainly one of the best smelling firewoods I know of. Can’t go wrong with burning cherry. Although it is used mostly for making boards and not so much for firewood.

4. Oak

best smelling wood

Oak has a pleasant aroma to it when it’s burning. It’s not a strong smell like the cherry wood is. The appeal of oak is more so for its heating value. Oak firewood is one of the top firewoods you can burn.

The nice smell is a bonus. Avoid red oak if you are going for good-smelling wood. Nobody cares for the smell of it, just the BTU’s. The smell of red oak can be compared to you sitting on the hopper after eating Mexican food.

5. Walnut

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Walnut is up for debate among most people. Some love the smell while others, not so much.  Walnut is light brownish colored and smells the way it looks, to me anyway.

Because walnut is one of the densest firewoods you can burn, it will last a while in your fireplace. It does leave behind a lot of ash. But it is a fair trade-off in my mind.

Conclusion

There you have it. These are some of the best smelling firewood you can burn. Plus there all good for there heating or, in the case of cedar, kindling properties.

Burning firewood in a fireplace at night with the family around brings a real comforting feeling. And to have the pleasant smells of the above-mentioned wood flowing through your home and outside is an added bonus.

Brian Koller

Growing up on a farm in eastern PA, I’ve grown fond of wildlife and the woods and learning about the critters and firewood and everything else in-between. I made this site to share my experiences and knowledge.

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