Guide · Firewood Species
Birch, oak, ash and alder — choosing Baltic hardwood firewood.
Species shapes how firewood lights, burns and sells. This guide compares the four main Baltic hardwoods so merchants, retailers and distributors can build a clear range. Tervete Wood produces firewood directly at its factory in Tervete, Latvia, as part of Agrolats Group.
Birch for the core range
Recognisable, easy to light and a reliable best-seller for merchants and retail.
Oak and ash for longer burns
Denser woods suited to premium and mid-tier positioning for stove users.
Alder for specialist uses
Quick ignition, popular for sauna, smoking and cooking in Nordic markets.
Species comparison
| Species | Density | Ignition | Burn behaviour | Typical use | Sales position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch | Medium | Easy | Bright flame, moderate burn time | Stoves, fireplaces, all-round | Core range, best-seller |
| Oak | High | Slower | Slow, steady, long-lasting heat | Stoves, long evening burns | Premium |
| Ash | Medium-high | Good | Balanced flame and burn time | Stoves, fireplaces | Mid-tier or mixed hardwood |
| Alder | Low-medium | Very easy | Fast, lively burn | Sauna, smoking, cooking, kindling-style use | Specialist / Nordic |
Relative, general characteristics of each species. Actual performance depends on moisture content, log size and storage. Product specifications are confirmed in each commercial offer.
Birch
Birch is the most familiar Baltic firewood. It catches quickly, gives an attractive bright flame and its white bark makes it easy to recognise on a shelf or in a crate.
For most merchants it is the volume product that anchors the range.
Oak
Oak's density means more wood mass per crate and a slower, longer burn. Customers looking for steady overnight heat often choose it.
Because it dries slowly, buyers should pay close attention to the moisture target and how it is verified.
Ash
Ash sits between birch and oak: it lights well and burns for a reasonable time. It works as a mid-tier product or within a mixed hardwood offer.
Alder
Alder is lighter and ignites very easily. It has a strong following in Nordic markets for sauna stoves, food smoking and cooking.
Building a range by species
Many buyers combine birch as the core product with oak or ash as a premium option, then add alder or kindling for specific customer groups. Species, moisture, log length, split size and packaging should all be agreed in writing before production.
Frequently asked
Is birch good firewood?+
Yes. Birch lights easily, burns with a bright flame and is widely recognised by end customers, which is why it is often the core product in merchant and retail ranges. Like any species, it performs best when dried to a specified moisture target.
Is oak good firewood?+
Oak is one of the densest common European hardwoods. Properly dried, it burns slowly and steadily, so it is often positioned as a premium, longer-burning option. It is slower to dry than lighter species.
How long does oak take to dry?+
Air-dried oak can take well over a year because of its density. Controlled kiln drying shortens this considerably; the exact cycle depends on log size, starting moisture and the finished target, so confirm it with the producer.
Is ash good firewood?+
Ash is valued for a balanced burn between birch and oak and naturally has relatively low moisture when freshly felled compared with many hardwoods. It suits a mid-tier or mixed-hardwood offer.
What is alder firewood used for?+
Alder is lighter and quick to ignite. It is familiar for sauna stoves, smoking and cooking in Nordic markets, as well as general fireside use.
Which firewood species gives the most heat?+
Per cubic metre, denser species such as oak and ash generally hold more energy than lighter species. Per kilogram at the same moisture, hardwood species are broadly similar, so moisture content matters as much as species.
Can I order mixed hardwood?+
Mixed hardwood loads can be discussed as part of a commercial offer. Specify the species allowed, the proportions if relevant, and the moisture and dimension targets.
Does species replace a moisture specification?+
No. Species sets the burn character, but moisture, log length and split size still need to be written into the order separately.
Factory-backed supply
Tervete Wood is part of Agrolats Group.
Wholesalers buy directly from our factory, without middlemen. We bring 10+ years of firewood production experience and the backing of Latvia’s largest agricultural company group, with more than 40 companies across production, agriculture, forestry and livestock farming.
Species Guide
Four hardwoods, sold honestly by spec.
Each species is graded, kiln-dried and split separately. No blending, no guess-work — just high quality product so you can match the right log to the right fire.
High Heat Output
Oak
Quercus robur
Dense, long-burning hardwood. Highest heat output. Hard to split perfectly. Ideal for overnight burns in stoves and open hearths.
| Burn Time | 8 hrs |
| Heat Output | 29 MJ/kg |
| Moisture | Under 20% |
Company & credentials
A direct producer with a verifiable business foundation
Tervete Wood is a direct firewood producer in Tervete, Latvia, and part of Agrolats Group, Latvia’s largest agricultural company group. Wholesalers work directly with our production team, without middlemen, drawing on 10+ years of firewood production experience.
Agrolats Group reports 40 partner companies, more than 25 years of experience, over 500 employment opportunities created and more than 15,000 hectares of agricultural land managed. Tervete Wood benefits from that wider group foundation.
We process approximately 3,000 m³ of round timber and produce approximately 80 truckloads of firewood per month. Our factory uses a state-of-the-art Pezzolato splitting system, 2 MW of heating power and 600 m³ of fully automated, firewood-specific kiln capacity. Supply schedules and specifications are agreed with each buyer.
- Registered company
- SIA Tervete Wood
- Registration No.
- 40203731374
- VAT No.
- LV40203731374
- Legal address
- Brīvības iela 10B - 9, Dobele, Dobeles nov., LV-3701, Latvia
- Business model
- Direct firewood producer
- Group
- Agrolats Group
Chain of Custody
The credential supports documented chain of custody for wood sourced through the production supply chain.
Legal timber
Full EUTR due-diligence documentation supplied with every export shipment.
Export paperwork
Customs, phytosanitary and origin documents prepared per destination country.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Wholesale quotation
Tell us what your business needs. Buy directly from Tervete Wood’s firewood factory.