Wood guide
Sycamore Firewood: Is Sycamore Good to Burn?
Sycamore is a good firewood. The Forestry Commission says it burns well when dry, though it isn't as dense as some other hardwoods, so each log burns a little faster than oak or ash. It's fairly dry when felled, at about 41% water, but like any wood it needs drying to 20% moisture before you burn it.
The Logs Local team Kiln-dried logs from our yard in Keighley
In this guide
Sycamore at a glance
Acer pseudoplatanus
- Heat per log
- High per log
- Density
- About 615 kg/m³
- Drying time
- Fairly dry when felled, at about 41% water, but still needs seasoning
- How it burns
- Burns well when dry
- Smoke
- Low when dry
- Sparks
- Not known for spitting
A good, dependable firewood, a little lighter than oak, ash and beech. Ideal as part of a mix.
Heat rating: our 1 to 5 scale based on density, where 5 is densest. Density: the Wood Database, at 12% moisture.
Is sycamore good firewood?
Yes. The Forestry Commission says sycamore burns well when dry, though it is not as dense as some other hardwoods. Hyndburn Council's firewood guide rates it good.
Densities from the Wood Database for solid wood. A bag of logs has air gaps, so it weighs less than these figures suggest.
How long does sycamore take to dry?
Freshly felled sycamore is about 41% water, the second driest after ash in Forest Research's figures. HETAS says hardwood generally takes 18 months to two years to dry, and to burn wood only at 20% moisture or less. See firewood moisture content.
How do I burn sycamore well?
- Burn it dry. Wet sycamore smoulders like any wood.
- Mix it with denser hardwood such as oak for a longer burn.
- Top it up a little more often than you would oak.
Is sycamore in your logs?
Yes. Our mixed hardwood is oak, ash, beech, sycamore and birch, kiln dried below 20% moisture. The tonne bag is £120 and the XL tonne bag is £160. Prices correct as of 21 October 2026.
Questions
Is sycamore a hardwood?
Yes. It's a broadleaf tree in the maple family.
Is sycamore as good as oak?
Close, but a little lighter, so it burns a bit faster per log.
Does sycamore spit?
It isn't known for spitting.
Can you burn sycamore green?
Not well. At about 41% water it needs drying to 20% first.
More in our guide to the best wood to burn.
Logs for this guide
Kiln dried below 20% moisture and ready to burn. Add a bag to your cart, then check out as normal.
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