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We analyzed Google Trends search data for 17 firewood species across all 50 states, then cross-referenced every state’s top wood against published BTU heat output ratings. Some states are making excellent choices. Others are burning the worst firewood available.
Idaho and Montana have a firewood problem. Not a supply problem — a knowledge problem. Both states overwhelmingly search for pine firewood above all other species. Pine burns, sure. But it produces just 17.1 million BTU per cord — roughly 35% less heat than oak, which is readily available in both states.
To understand what firewood Americans are actually choosing — and whether those choices hold up to scrutiny — we analyzed Google Trends search data for 17 firewood species across all 50 U.S. states over a 12-month period ending March 1, 2026. We then cross-referenced each state’s top-searched wood against published BTU ratings from Penn State Extension and the USDA Forest Service.
The results reveal a country that mostly gets it right, punctuated by a handful of states making surprisingly inefficient choices — and a few regional outliers that are actually smarter than the national trend.
More than 35 states search for oak above all other species. At 26.4 million BTU per cord, the national preference isn’t just popular — it’s genuinely smart.
Pine tops both states. At 17.1M BTU per cord, it delivers 35% less heat than oak — residents pay full price for significantly less warmth.
Piñon pine rivals oak in New Mexico. With 24.7M BTU/cord and deep cultural roots, this is both thermally defensible and historically grounded.
Birch tops Alaska at 23.6M BTU/cord. Given what’s harvestable north of Anchorage, this is an excellent choice.
Oak wins, but walnut hit 92% of oak’s score — suggesting a genuinely divided firewood culture in the state.
Most people choose firewood based on what’s available locally. But the BTU difference between pine and oak is large enough to meaningfully affect your heating bill across an entire winter.
— Tyler Mainka, BestBurnFirewood.comEvery state’s top-searched firewood ranked by BTU heat output.
| State | Top Wood | BTU (M/cord) | 2nd Place | Heat Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Oak | 26.4 | Pine | Excellent |
| Alaska | Birch | 23.6 | — | Good |
| Arizona | Oak | 26.4 | Juniper | Excellent |
| Arkansas | Oak | 26.4 | Birch | Excellent |
| California | Oak | 26.4 | Pine | Excellent |
| Colorado | Oak | 26.4 | Pine (61) | Excellent |
| Connecticut | Ash | 23.6 | Oak | Good |
| Delaware | — | — | — | No Data |
| Florida | Oak | 26.4 | Pine | Excellent |
| Georgia | Oak | 26.4 | Pine | Excellent |
| Hawaii | Oak | 26.4 | — | Excellent |
| Idaho | Pine | 17.1 | — | Poor |
| Illinois | Oak | 26.4 | Maple | Excellent |
| Indiana | Oak | 26.4 | Maple | Excellent |
| Iowa | Oak | 26.4 | Maple | Excellent |
| Kansas | Oak | 26.4 | Maple | Excellent |
| Kentucky | Oak | 26.4 | Ash | Excellent |
| Louisiana | Oak | 26.4 | — | Excellent |
| Maine | Ash | 23.6 | Post Oak | Good |
| Maryland | Oak | 26.4 | Maple | Excellent |
| Massachusetts | Oak | 26.4 | Apple | Excellent |
| Michigan | Oak | 26.4 | Ash | Excellent |
| Minnesota | Oak | 26.4 | Ash | Excellent |
| Mississippi | Oak | 26.4 | — | Excellent |
| Missouri | Oak | 26.4 | Ash | Excellent |
| Montana | Pine | 17.1 | — | Poor |
| Nebraska | Maple | 25.5 | — | Good |
| Nevada | Oak | 26.4 | Pine | Excellent |
| New Hampshire | Oak | 26.4 | — | Excellent |
| New Jersey | Oak | 26.4 | Maple | Excellent |
| New Mexico | Piñon Pine | 24.7 | Oak | Good |
| New York | Oak | 26.4 | Ash | Excellent |
| North Carolina | Oak | 26.4 | Pine | Excellent |
| North Dakota | — | — | — | No Data |
| Ohio | Walnut | 22.2 | Oak (35) | Average |
| Oklahoma | Oak | 26.4 | Pecan | Excellent |
| Oregon | Oak | 26.4 | Maple | Excellent |
| Pennsylvania | Oak | 26.4 | Walnut | Excellent |
| Rhode Island | — | — | — | No Data |
| South Carolina | Oak | 26.4 | Pine | Excellent |
| South Dakota | Oak | 26.4 | — | Excellent |
| Tennessee | Oak | 26.4 | Walnut | Excellent |
| Texas | Oak | 26.4 | Pecan | Excellent |
| Utah | Oak | 26.4 | Pine (59) | Excellent |
| Vermont | — | — | — | No Data |
| Virginia | Oak | 26.4 | Hickory | Excellent |
| Washington | Apple | 21.6 | Maple | Average |
| West Virginia | Oak | 26.4 | Walnut (92) | Excellent |
| Wisconsin | Oak | 26.4 | Ash | Excellent |
| Wyoming | — | — | — | No Data |
BestBurnFirewood.com analyzed Google Trends search data for 17 firewood species across all 50 U.S. states over a 12-month period (March 1, 2025–March 1, 2026). Search terms were compared in four batches using oak firewood as a consistent anchor reference term to normalize relative scores across batches. The species with the highest raw score per state was identified as the most popular. States returning insufficient search volume for reliable comparison are designated as “No Data.”
BTU ratings (million BTU per cord, air-dried) were sourced from Penn State Extension and the USDA Forest Service / Virginia Tech. Species analyzed: Oak, Hickory, Maple, Birch, Cherry, Ash, Cedar, Pine, Mesquite, Douglas Fir, Alder, Walnut, Pecan, Apple, Post Oak, Piñon Pine, Juniper.
Heat efficiency ratings: Excellent = 26+ M BTU/cord | Good = 23–25.9 | Average = 20–22.9 | Poor = below 20.
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