A HORTICULTURIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION OFFICE OFFERS SOME ADVICE FOR CHOOSING AND STORING YOUR FIREWOOD THIS WINTER. 

WHILE PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING GOES OUTSIDE…THE SAME DOESN’T HOLD TRUE WHEN BURNING INSIDE. THE EXTENSION'S RICHARD HENTSCHEL RECOMMENDS USING DRY, SEASONED FIREWOOD, WHICH MEANS IT HAS BEEN CUT AND SPLIT. STAY AWAY FROM WOOD WITH SAP LIKE PINE…AND IF YOU STORE THE WOOD OUTSIDE:

HENTSCHEL SAYS YOU SHOULDN’T BRING THE WOOD INDOORS UNLESS YOU’RE GOING TO BURN IT WITHIN THE WEEK. THAT WAY ANY BUGS BURROWED IN DON’T HAVE TIME TO GET OUT OF DORMANCY AND CAUSE A NUISANCE IN YOUR HOME.