A cord of wood is a unit of measurement referring to the amount of wood that can fit into a stack measuring 4 feet in height, 8 feet in length, and 4 feet deep. This equates to 128 cubic feet of wood. While many assume that a cord of wood will weigh roughly 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), the answer is not so straightforward. The weight of a cord of wood will depend on several factors, like the type of wood and how much water it contains.
Please read our article about How Much a Cord of Wood costs.
How Much Does a Cord of Wood Weigh?
A cord of wood may weigh 5000 pounds. However, this given weight is subject to a few factors based on the type and how moist the wood is. For example, an Oak wood may weigh between 3800 – 4900 pounds if thoroughly dried and around 6000 – 7900 pounds if fresh and green. Pine wood can weigh between 2000 and 2500 pounds when thoroughly dried and between 3300 and 4300 pounds when fresh and green. This indicates that the weight of a cord of wood is not static.
Oak is one type of hardwood commonly used for firewood. If an oak cord were thoroughly dried, it would generally weigh between 3,800 to 4,900 pounds (1,724-2,223 kg). However, if fresh and green, an oak cord could weigh anywhere from 6,000 to 7,900 pounds (2,722-3,581 kg). Pine wood is another type commonly used for logs. If the pine is completely dry, it may only weigh around 2,000 to 2,500 pounds (907-1134 kg). But if fresh and green, it could be between 3,300 to 4,300 pounds (1.498-1.951 kg).
The density of a given species can vary drastically depending on how wet or dry it is. One pound of wet firewood may contain up to 40% more moisture than one pound of dry fuel. It follows then that the exact weight of a cord will vary greatly depending on the accuracy with which it was measured and its moisture content at the time it was weighed.
Furthermore, different types of trees offer varying densities, affecting their weight and heat potential when burned in a fireplace or other heating system. Hardwoods like Oak are typically denser than softwoods like pine, so they offer more heat per volume even though they are heavier overall when wet or green.
Nowadays, most firewood sellers have access to industrial scales that allow them to accurately measure cords without manually counting each piece inside them, so customers can get an accurate readout on how much their purchased firewood weighs before buying it by requesting this information from the seller beforehand.
In conclusion, one should not assume that all cords will weigh exactly 5 thousand pounds since this figure varies depending on circumstances like tree species as well as any preexisting natural moisture content present in each log or piece when weighing them together in bulk form as part of an entire stack measuring four by eight by four-foot dimensions otherwise knowns as a ‘cord’ size unit measure typical for firewoods logging industry standards today!
From 2022 onwards, Mark has also been contributing author of home repair articles at nimblefreelancer.com.
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