Cape Cod Firewood

Cape Cod Firewood

Firewood is usually sold by the cord (cordwood), but is also sold in truckload quantities. A full cord of wood (stacked tight) measures 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long (4’x4’x8’) and has a volume of 128 cubic feet. A half cord is 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 4 feet long (4’x4’x4’) and has a volume of 64 cubic feet. Firewood is also sold in smaller quantities, namely by the quarter cord which is 2 feet high by 4 feet wide by 4 feet long (2’x4’x4’). Half and quarter cords are sometimes delivered stacked and shrink-wrapped on pallets.

Many companies locally offer firewood. Cape Cod area tree services, landscape supply yards and landscapers often offer cut and split cordwood for use in woodstoves and fireplaces.

Make sure the firewood you buy is the proper length for your stove. If you have a small woodstove, you may need wood that is cut shorter than the standard 16 inches. You might need 14 inch or even 12 inch length wood.

Buying your firewood at the local convenience or grocery store in those little bundles for $5-$6 is not a good idea. You will end up paying about $600+/cord in the long run.

The price of firewood keeps climbing along with heating oil and natural gas. Expect to pay more for firewood on Cape Cod this year. Your best bet is to buy your wood early. Don’t wait until winter sets in to try to buy firewood!

Advice from the MA Consumer Affairs Office on Firewood Purchases

Don’t Get Burned On Firewood Sales

“If you order a cord of firewood, make sure the dealer understands that what you expect to get is what the law provides,” said Massachusetts Consumer Affairs Director Beth Lindstrom. “A cord is not a truckload or a pile dumped in your driveway. It must measure 128 cubic feet and measure four feet by four feet by eight feet long when closely stacked.”