When Should You Order Firewood in Maryland?
If you're searching for a reliable firewood delivery service in Maryland, the timing of your order matters just as much as the type of wood you buy. Many homeowners wait until cold weather hits, only to find prices spike, quality drops, and options are limited. The smarter move? Order early and ensure your firewood is properly seasoned and ready to burn when it matters most.
Ordering ahead also gives you the flexibility to choose between hardwood and softwood, depending on your needs. Whether you’re heating your home in Towson or entertaining guests by a fire pit in Parkville, proper planning makes a difference.
Why Spring or Early Summer Makes Sense
According to theMaryland Department of Natural Resources, most firewood requires at least
6 to 12 months of seasoning
to burn efficiently and safely. That means if you wait until October or later to buy firewood, you risk getting logs that haven’t dried out fully — which creates more smoke, less heat, and dangerous creosote buildup in your chimney.
Spring and early summer offer several advantages:
- Fresh inventory
becomes available as tree services pick up
- Discounts
are more common for early orders and bulk purchases
- Ample time
for wood to continue seasoning on your property
- Better delivery availability with less seasonal backlog
What Is “Seasoned” Firewood?
“Seasoned” means the wood has been
air-dried long enough to reduce internal moisture content, usually below 20%. This is essential for efficient burning, and a
properly seasoned log:
- Lights easily
and produces steady heat
- Burns clean, releasing fewer pollutants
- Reduces creosote
buildup in chimneys
- Keeps indoor air cleaner
(important for asthma or allergy sufferers)
Hardwoods like oak, ash, and hickory take up to 12 months to fully season. Softwoods like pine or poplar may dry in 6 to 9 months, but they also burn faster and cooler.
How Long Does Firewood Need to Season in Maryland?
In Maryland’s humid mid-Atlantic climate, firewood takes:
- 6–9 months
for softwood to dry
- 9–12 months
for hardwood to fully cure
You can speed up seasoning by stacking firewood off the ground in rows, under a breathable cover, and with proper airflow. But unless you have space, airflow, and the time to manage it yourself — it’s easier to purchase pre-seasoned logs from a reputable firewood delivery service.
At
A1 Tree & Mulch, all firewood is
locally sourced, pre-seasoned, and split
before delivery. We deliver to areas like Baltimore, Towson, Hunt Valley, and Monkton — and we offer
same-day delivery
in many cases.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long?
Waiting until October or November to order your firewood can cause major issues:
- Lower quality
inventory or green logs
- Long delivery delays
as demand spikes
- Higher prices
due to limited availability
- No time to season wood on your own
if buying fresh
Don’t wait until the cold hits. A1 Tree & Mulch offers fast, reliable firewood delivery service in Maryland — with seasoned hardwood and softwood available all year. Our wood is ready to burn now, and we deliver within a 15-mile radius of our location, often same-day. Whether you’re heating a home or stocking a restaurant oven, we’ll get you the right mix of wood at the right time.
What to Ask Before You Order
To make sure you’re getting high-quality firewood, ask your supplier:
- What types of firewood are available? (hardwood, softwood, or both?)
- Is the wood split and seasoned? For how long?
- Do you offer
free or same-day delivery?
- Are bulk or commercial orders available?
- Can you recommend a mix based on my needs?
A1 Tree & Mulch delivers
mixed hardwoods (oak, ash, hickory, cherry) and mixed softwoods (pine, poplar, spruce) — all seasoned and sourced in Maryland. We serve both residential and commercial clients, including restaurants and pizzerias.
Still Not Sure When to Order?
If you're not sure how much firewood you need or which type is best, we can help. Whether you’re looking to stock up for the winter or planning a few weekend bonfires, we’ll guide you through the process and help you avoid common mistakes.
