Its officially fall, which means its time toclean out the fireplaceandinspect the chimney.

Its also the ideal time to setup your firewood pile.

Heres how to pick and prepare the best burning firewood.

The Drier the Better

A rule of thumb for firewood: The drier, the better.

Wood consists of small tubes that deliver water from the roots into the trunk and branches of the tree.

These tubes can retain water for months after wood has been cut.

Moist and water-laden wood will not burn properly.

Seasoned firewood is dry and cut into pieces that will be easier to carry and build a fire with.

It can be outdoors as long as its covered and not in an area that can get flooded.

Look for dark to gray colored wood, which will signify older and drier wood.

Bang a few logs together.

If they sound hollow, thats a good thing.

The wood should be light, which signifies little to no water.

Look for wood with cracked ends, which means its dry.

Pick the pieces with the bark missing or pulling off.

Bark needs moisture to adhere to the wood.

Dont choose the newest wood from the top of the pile.

Dig a bit and pull the oldest looking wood you could find.

The best burning firewood is not only dry but dense.

Softer woods like pine and aspen will burn through faster.

Depending on how much firewood you use in the winter, this can get most people through a season.

Green cords are also sold at a lower price.

Buy in the Spring and Summer to get a discount, too.

How to Forage for Firewood

It can be a fun excursion to forage for your own firewood.

Check your local and state laws before heading into the forest, too.

The best wood is pulled from low hanging branches that snap off easily which means the branch is dead.

Dead wood found on the ground can be a great score, but can also be full of water.

Identify the hardwood and nut-bearing trees in your area and focus on wood from those trees.

Grab a few softwood pieces, as they ignite easier and are best for kindling.

Wood should preferably be stored inside a shed that is protected from the weather.

it’s possible for you to findsome other effective techniques here.

When it comes time to build that fire,we have tips for you there, too.

Photos byTom Brandt,Rob,mwms1916, andTravis.