Get premium firewood in Rutherfordton via Skippers Tree Service. We provide thoroughly seasoned hardwoodsfeaturing oak, hickory, and maple, cut to standard 16" lengths, confirmed at or below 20% moisture with calibrated meters. The wood is clean, pest-free, and stored off-ground under breathable covers for optimal, efficient burns. We ensure true cord measurement, moisture-protected delivery, and expert stacking to airflow and clearance standards. Enjoy better heat, lower creosote, and steadier coal beds that preserve your equipment. Keep reading to see how we ensure consistent quality and service.

Essential Points
- Premium timber selections (hickory, oak, maple) seasoned to 15-20% moisture, measured with calibrated meters for clean, efficient burns.
- Even 16-inch splits, completely pest- and mold-free, maintained off the ground below breathable covers to ensure quality.
- Our moisture-protected trucks deliver within two-hour windows, guaranteeing accurate cord and half-cord measurements through stacked, not heaped, volume verification.
- Optional turnkey stacking provides organized single-row configurations, with bark oriented upward, with breathable base structures, elevated 6 inches from the 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 Defines Premium Firewood in Rutherfordton
Even though the concept of "premium" can seem subjective, in Rutherfordton it comes with clear, measurable criteria: properly seasoned hardwood (typically oak, hickory, or maple) with moisture content at or below 20%, cut to uniform lengths (typically 16 inches) for efficient stove or fireplace use, clear of pests, mold, and excessive bark, and stored off-ground under breathable cover to preserve dryness.
Test quality with a calibrated moisture meter; inspect multiple splits at the fresh interior. Low moisture content provides consistent combustion, lower creosote, and better flue temperatures. Look for end-grain checking, clear tone when struck, and clean, gray appearance - not green sapwood. Ask about wood sources and drying processes methods; reputable kilns document cycle time, temperature, and final MC. Demand uniform 16-inch, square splits to maximize air flow and stacking. Ensure pallets or rails raise stacks and proper covers shed rain without containing humidity.
The Value of Correctly Seasoned Hardwood
Count on well-dried hardwood to produce greater heat output per log, smoother combustion, and risk-free operation. You'll experience the difference at the stove: wood dried to 15-20% moisture starts reliably, keeps a consistent coal bed, and decreases creosote formation. That optimizes draft and reduces chimney fire danger.
Perform moisture measurements with a testing device on a freshly cut surface; burn only loads averaging under 20%. When moisture is lower, combustion effectiveness increases because fewer resources are spent removing moisture. You achieve increased heat output, better oxidation of volatiles, and reduced particulates.
Proper seasoning also reduces soot and smoke, safeguarding catalysts, glass, and flue liners. You'll need fewer reloads, maintain safer flue temperatures, and prolong your appliance's lifespan with cleaner burns.
Wood Species We Stock and Their Burning Characteristics
Though moisture content impacts performance, species determines how your fuel behaves in the firebox. Different woods display varying heat levels, coal production, and spark patterns. Our Oak selections (white and red) offer reliable BTU levels, extended coal retention, and limited popping-ideal for overnight burns and controlled heat. Hickory splits burn hotter and longer than oak, producing dense coals and a clean flame when seasoned below 20% moisture; they're perfect for intensive heating needs.
We also offer ash and maple. Ash lights consistently, even at elevated moisture levels, and provides consistent heating with minimal creosote accumulation. Maple catches quickly for starting fires and between-season fires. Stay away from softwood in indoor fireplaces; its high resin content leads to more sparks and creosote. Always use a spark shield, ensure adequate draft, and check flue temperatures for secure and effective combustion.
Pricing, Delivery, and Stacking Information
You've chosen the right species for your burn; we'll pair that fuel with exact pricing, delivery, and stacking services so you have complete clarity on your purchase. We arrange curbside delivery within defined two-hour windows, employ moisture-protected trucks, and verify volume by the true cord or half-cord-stacked, not heaped. When we arrive, we verify access, safeguard surfaces with mats, and position wood no less than 30 feet from structures unless you choose turnkey stacking.
Pick either full-service stacking or drop-off only. When stacking is selected, we create sturdy single-row stacks on flat, ventilated bases, utilizing bark-up orientation, positioned 1-2 inches from walls, and elevated 6 inches off ground to avoid water absorption. Our pricing structure includes cordage, delivery area, stacking time by foot, and additional items including racks or covers. We never add hidden fees for fuel or handling.
How Skippers Delivers Service Standards and Quality
From start to finish, Skippers delivers reliable quality using documented standards and measurable checks. They provide wood meticulously sorted by species, split size, and moisture content confirmed with professional testing equipment. They target 15-20% moisture, reject outliers, and classify inventory with unique batch identifiers. Seasoning times and ventilation levels are recorded, ensuring all firewood performs optimally and securely.
Before delivery, technicians perform quality checks: random moisture level checks, visual examinations for unwanted organisms, mold growth, and bark contamination, and volume verification through cubic measurement. Crews adhere to PPE and here load-securement procedures to prevent accidents and product compromise. Following delivery, Skippers completes the quality circle with client responses, tracking burn performance, smoke characteristics, and ignition time. Identified trends initiates remedial steps, retraining, or process modifications, guaranteeing reliable heating performance and low creosote risk.
Popular Questions
Are Kiln-Dried Firewood Certifications Available for Pest Compliance?
Indeed, you can obtain kiln-dried firewood with certification documentation documenting pest compliance. Our drying process follows to USDA/APHIS standards (160°F/71.1°C core temperature for 75-90 minutes), monitor with calibrated probes, and log batch identifiers, timestamps, and moisture readings. You'll receive a certificate of treatment and custody verification appropriate for regulatory inspections and interstate transport. We also follow sanitation protocols, segregate untreated wood, and perform spot audits to guarantee reliable, secure, compliant fuelwood.
Is Recurring Seasonal Firewood Delivery Available?
We offer schedule regular seasonal firewood deliveries. Select from weekly or seasonal delivery schedules aligned with your burn rate and BTU requirements. We size loads precisely, ensure moisture content (typically ≤20% MC), and stack materials using correct orientation for better airflow and safety. You'll set access instructions, containment location, and preferred wood varieties. We validate delivery times, alternative weather arrangements, and delivery route capabilities to eliminate rutting or tipping. Modify delivery timing whenever needed; temporary stops and urgent orders available.
What Moisture Meter Readings Should I Expect Upon Delivery?
As a general rule, you'll find moisture meter readings of 10-15% with kiln dried wood and 18-22% for air dried timber. Check freshly split faces, not ends, using a calibrated testing device at room temperature. Take multiple readings from each log and calculate the average. Store wood off the ground, with the top-covered and sides open, to stop moisture rebound. If readings are above targets, re-season before indoor use to decrease creosote, improve BTU output, and preserve appliance safety.
Do You Provide Custom-Cut Lengths for Pizza Ovens or Smokers?
Yes, we provide custom-cut lengths for cooking appliances. Just provide your firebox dimensions, and we'll create precision cuts to exact tolerances. For pizza ovens, we supply shorter splits and thin slices to enhance ignition and ensure steady temperature. For smokers, we cut evenly sized pieces for optimal smoking performance. We verify dimensions with calibrated gauges, deburr edges to reduce splinter risk, and ensure proper moisture content for peak performance.
What Environment-Friendly Packaging and Pallet Choices Do You Provide?
We provide sustainable solutions. Our eco-conscious approach features Eco-friendly boxes that repel water and maintain load integrity per ASTM D6251 standards. You can also choose Compostable packaging constructed with compostable films that minimize microplastic risk and comply with EN 13432 criteria. We ensure pallet stability with safe stacking limits, corner protection, and strap tension testing to eliminate sliding or displacement. We deliver smooth operations, decreased disposal, and compliant, carbon-conscious packaging.
Summary
Want to take your fires to the next level? You'll receive top-quality, seasoned hardwood that lights easily, burns longer, and reduces creosote risk low. Tests confirm firewood at 20% moisture content delivers up to 40% more thermal output than green wood while reducing creosote buildup and emissions. You'll choose proven species, get safe, efficient delivery and stacking, and straightforward pricing. With Skippers' precise moisture checks and consistent lengths, you'll maximize heating, maintain your stove and flue, and experience hassle-free fires all winter.