Is alder good firewood?

Yes, once it's properly dried. Alder is one of the lighter hardwoods, so it catches quickly, gives a lively flame and gets a cold stove up to temperature fast. The trade-off is burn time: lower density means each log burns through sooner than oak, beech or hornbeam, and it leaves fewer lasting embers. Ready to Burn certified alder logs are under 20% moisture, so they light cleanly and burn without hissing.

Who alder suits

Alder works well for evening fires rather than all-day heating, for smaller stoves that don't need a deep bed of coals, and for spring and autumn when you want warmth without a roaring stove. It also makes a good fire-starter layer under denser logs. Its quick, clean flame suits fire pits and pizza ovens too.

Getting good value on alder logs

Alder is consistently the lowest-priced species per loose m³ on our tracker, but compare on value, not just price. Because it's less dense, a crate of alder holds less heat than a crate of oak or hornbeam, so you'll burn through it faster. For heating-heavy households, a mix of alder for lighting and a denser hardwood for the long burn is often cheaper overall. Our Which Firewood Should I Buy? guide compares them side by side, and the firewood calculator tells you how much you'll need.