I would think much of this would be based on the density of the wood itself. The heaviest wood I have is oak and hickory. They do burn the best as far as length of time, heat output and lingering coals. I load my wood stove with hickory 'night logs' and it is still hot when I get up in the morning.

I do burn a little eastern red cedar that is very dry. I notice when I cut it (live trees) the blocked wood is very heavy but in time, as it dries out it, gets very light. To me it burns similarly to pine, fast. Black walnut and elm are also heavy when first cut but seasoned they are much lighter in weight.

suprised mesquites' not on the list... that and pecan are all that i have, unless i buy liveoak...

Here's a good page that explains the BTU is given per cord, and volume of wood (and the associated weight of the wood) can vary as well. The listing gives the BTU per cord as well as the weight of the cord of wood for that species:

https://firewoodresource.com/firewood-btu-ratings/

-41 here tonight, which is the same C or F, the gas furnace can't keep up, my wood stove is proving it's worth.

quote:

suprised mesquites' not on the list... that and pecan are all that i have, unless i buy liveoak...

Same here in North Texas. 90% mesquite. Burns pretty hot and zero soot.

I wonder if mesquite is similar to red cedar (juniper)?

Having run a saw through plenty of mesquite, oak, juniper, and pinion, I found myself sharpening chains most often with the mesquite. The only species I've found harder is Desert Ironwood, and man lemme tell you, a chunk of that in the potbelly stove will have you opening the doors and windows to let the heat out of the house...

Desert Ironwood


.

The same can be said for Bois d arc. It's hell on chainsaw blades; I sent off a blank to Hulet at Bishops years ago + he said, don't you EVER do that again!

Beechwood fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year,
Chestnut's only good they say,
If for logs 'tis laid away.
Make a fire of Elder tree,
Death within your house will be;
But ash new or ash old,
Is fit for a queen with crown of gold

Birch and fir logs burn too fast
Blaze up bright and do not last,
it is by the Irish said
Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.
Elm wood burns like churchyard mould,
E'en the very flames are cold
But ash green or ash brown
Is fit for a queen with golden crown

Poplar gives a bitter smoke,
Fills your eyes and makes you choke,
Apple wood will scent your room
Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom
Oaken logs, if dry and old
keep away the winter's cold
But ash wet or ash dry
a king shall warm his slippers by

In the Northeast, most of our Ash has died out due to invasive insects. You need to get it down and split pretty quickly, as it doesn't stand long before it starts to go soft and break apart.

Ash is extinct in my area too.

Biebs, the same can be said of large mesquite trees down here. Usually, any tree that is large enough to make a good stock has the heart easily eroded. But it sure does have some beautiful character if you can find one.