Larch vs Spruce Firewood – Which Softwood Burns Better?
At Barochan Farm in Houston, Renfrewshire, we supply kiln dried larch firewood as a higher-quality softwood alternative to traditional spruce.
Both are softwoods, but they perform very differently when used as firewood in wood burning stoves and open fires.
Kiln dried larch firewood
Larch is a dense softwood, which makes it far superior to many other softwood options.
Benefits include:
- Higher heat output than spruce
- Longer burn time
- Easier lighting than hardwood
- Better value for money
When kiln dried, larch becomes a very efficient and reliable firewood choice.
Spruce firewood
Spruce is a much lighter softwood and burns quickly.
It typically:
- Lights easily
- Burns fast
- Produces lower heat output
- Requires more frequent refuelling
While useful for kindling, it is not as efficient as larch for main firewood use.
Which is better?
For most households, kiln dried larch is the better option. It offers a balance between ease of lighting and usable heat output.
At Barochan Farm, we recommend larch over spruce for customers looking for a more efficient softwood firewood option.
