Discover top-grade firewood from Rutherfordton through Skippers Tree Service. We deliver thoroughly seasoned hardwoodsfeaturing oak, hickory, and maple, cut to standard 16" lengths, tested at or below 20% moisture with calibrated meters. This wood is clean, pest-free, and maintained off-ground under breathable covers for reliable, effective burns. We ensure true cord measurement, moisture-protected delivery, and skillful stacking to ventilation and clearance standards. Benefit from higher heat, lower creosote, and steadier coal beds that preserve your appliance. Keep reading to learn how we deliver reliable quality and service.
Essential Points
- Premium hardwoods (maple, hickory, oak) dried to 15 to 20 percent moisture, checked with precision instruments for clean, efficient burns.
- Consistently sized 16-inch firewood pieces, entirely pest- and mold-free, stored off the ground below protective breathable tarps for consistent quality.
- We deliver in convenient two-hour windows using moisture-protected trucks, guaranteeing accurate cord and half-cord measurements through stacked, not heaped, volume verification.
- We offer turnkey stacking with organized single-row configurations, bark facing up, featuring ventilated bases, positioned 6 inches above ground, keeping 1-2 inches of wall clearance.
- Upfront pricing: complete breakdown of wood volume, delivery zone, stacking, and optional accessories-no surprise fees.
What Sets Premium Firewood Apart in Rutherfordton
Although the concept of "premium" may sound subjective, in Rutherfordton it comes with clear, measurable criteria: well-dried hardwood (usually oak, hickory, or maple) with moisture content at or below 20%, split to uniform lengths (commonly 16 inches) for efficient stove or fireplace operation, clear of pests, mold, and excessive bark, and stored off-ground under breathable cover to maintain dryness.
Test moisture content by using a properly calibrated moisture meter; spot-check various splits at the newly exposed interior. Low burn moisture provides reliable combustion, minimal creosote, and better flue temperatures. Check for end checking, clear sound when struck, and clean, gray surface - rather than green sapwood. Inquire about procurement and seasoning methods; legitimate kilns maintain records of cycle time, temperature, and final MC. Insist on uniform 16-inch, even splits to maximize air flow and stacking. Ensure pallets or rails lift stacks and ventilated covers protect from rain without trapping humidity.
The Value of Correctly Seasoned Hardwood
You can rely on properly seasoned hardwood to deliver greater heat output per log, more efficient combustion, and safer operation. You'll notice the difference at the stove: wood dried to 15-20% moisture starts reliably, keeps a consistent coal bed, and reduces creosote buildup. That optimizes draft and reduces chimney fire danger.
Perform moisture measurements with a testing device on a newly split surface; exclusively use firewood averaging below 20%. When moisture is lower, burning becomes more efficient because less energy is wasted removing moisture. You get hotter flames, improved oxidation of volatiles, and reduced particulates.
Good seasoning helps minimize harmful emissions, protecting catalysts, glass, and flue liners. You'll need fewer reloads, maintain safer flue temperatures, and increase equipment longevity with more efficient combustion.
Available Wood Species and Their Burning Properties
While moisture content drives performance, species determines how your fuel behaves in the firebox. You'll notice distinct heat output, coal formation, and spark profiles. Our Oak selections (white and red) offer reliable BTU levels, extended coal retention, and limited popping-excellent for sustained burns and temperature control. Hickory pieces provide more intense and sustained heat compared to oak, yielding compact coals and efficient burning when dried below 20% moisture; they're perfect for intensive heating needs.
We also offer ash and maple. Ash burns dependably, even when slightly damp, and offers consistent heating with reduced creosote buildup. Maple ignites easily for fire starting and between-season fires. Don't burn softwood in indoor fireplaces; elevated pitch levels leads to increased fire hazards. Always use a spark shield, ensure adequate draft, and monitor flue temperatures for safe and efficient operation.
Pricing, Delivery, and Stacking Information
You've click here picked the ideal species for your burn; we align that fuel with exact pricing, delivery, and stacking services so you know exactly what you're getting. We coordinate curbside delivery within set two-hour windows, use moisture-protected trucks, and verify volume by the true cord or half-cord-stacked, not heaped. When we arrive, we verify access, protect surfaces with mats, and stage wood at least 30 feet from structures unless you choose turnkey stacking.
Pick either full-service stacking or drop-off only. When stacking is selected, we create secure single-row stacks on even, ventilated bases, using bark-up orientation, placed 1-2 inches from walls, and elevated 6 inches off ground to reduce moisture wicking. Costs are broken down into quantity of wood, delivery area, stacking labor per linear foot, and add-ons such as racks or covers. We never add hidden fees for fuel or handling.
How Skippers Guarantees Consistent Quality and Service
Throughout the entire process, Skippers maintains uniform results through detailed guidelines and quality controls. Customers receive wood that's carefully graded by variety, cut specifications, and moisture readings validated with precision instruments. Skippers maintains 15-20% moisture, reject outliers, and organize inventory with traceable lot IDs. Seasoning times and ventilation levels are recorded, so all firewood performs optimally and securely.
Prior to delivery, techs perform quality inspections: moisture sampling tests, visual inspections for unwanted organisms, mold growth, and bark contamination, and quantity confirmation via cubic assessment. Staff maintain PPE and load-securement procedures to eliminate accidents and product compromise. Following delivery, Skippers finalizes the review process with customer input, tracking burning quality, smoke profile, and lighting speed. Identified trends prompts improvement actions, personnel training, or process modifications, ensuring consistent heat output and minimal creosote buildup.
Questions and Answers
Do You Offer Kiln-Dried Firewood Certifications for Pest Compliance?
Absolutely, we offer request kiln-dried firewood with certification documentation documenting pest compliance. We process to USDA/APHIS standards (160°F/71.1°C core temperature for 75-90 minutes), monitor with calibrated probes, and document batch numbers, timestamps, and moisture readings. You'll receive a treatment certificate and tracking documentation meeting requirements for regulatory inspections and interstate transport. Additionally, we maintain sanitation protocols, isolate untreated wood, and conduct spot audits to make certain consistent, protected, compliant fuelwood.
Can I Schedule Seasonal Firewood Deliveries on a Regular Basis?
Yes, you can arrange regular seasonal firewood deliveries. Choose between weekly or seasonal delivery schedules aligned with your usage needs and BTU requirements. We size loads precisely, maintain moisture targets (typically ≤20% MC), and arrange wood with proper orientation to promote airflow and safety. You can determine entry guidelines, storage placement, and preferred wood varieties. Our team verifies scheduling, weather-related backup plans, and driveway load limits to prevent rutting or tipping. Modify delivery timing whenever needed; we accommodate pauses and rush deliveries.
What Moisture Meter Readings Should I Expect Upon Delivery?
As a general rule, you can expect moisture meter readings of 10-15% with kiln dried wood and 18-22% for air dried lumber. Take measurements on freshly split faces, not ends, using a calibrated moisture meter at room temperature. Take multiple readings for each piece and average them. Store wood off the ground, maintaining a top-covered and sides open, to prevent moisture returning. Should readings surpass target levels, allow further drying before indoor burning to minimize creosote, improve BTU output, and maintain appliance safety.
Do You Provide Custom-Cut Lengths for Pizza Ovens or Smokers?
Indeed, we provide custom-cut lengths for pizza ovens or smokers. Just provide your firebox dimensions, and we'll create precision cuts to exact tolerances. For pizza ovens, we offer shorter splits and thin slices to speed ignition and maintain consistent heat. For smokers, we cut consistent splits or chunks for optimal smoking performance. Our calibrated gauges verify all dimensions, deburr edges to reduce splinter risk, and ensure proper moisture content for maximum efficiency.
What Environment-Friendly Packaging and Pallet Choices Do You Provide?
We provide eco-friendly solutions. Our eco-conscious approach features Reusable containers that prevent dampness and preserve package strength per ASTM D6251 standards. We also offer Biodegradable wraps made from compostable films that reduce environmental impact and satisfy EN 13432 criteria. We verify pallet stability with proper weight distribution, edge reinforcement, and strap tension testing to avoid movement or damage. You can expect efficient processing, decreased disposal, and sustainable, eco-certified packaging.
Final Thoughts
Ready to upgrade your burn? You'll receive top-quality, seasoned hardwood that burns reliably, burns longer, and keeps creosote accumulation minimal. Studies indicate firewood at 20% moisture content produces up to 40% more heating efficiency than green wood while decreasing creosote buildup and emissions. You'll select tested species, get safe, efficient delivery and stacking, and clear pricing. With Skippers' calibrated moisture checks and standardized lengths, you'll optimize burning, protect your stove and flue, and have worry-free fires all winter.