Don't Get Burned When Buying Firewood

Q. What do I need to know about purchasing firewood for my home this season? D.A Upper Black Eddy, PA

A. This is the time of year when lots of folks call The Bucks County Weights and Measures Office about firewood. 

If consumers intend to use the wood to burn this season, make sure the purchase is seasoned firewood.  If you plan on using the wood for the following winter you can buy green wood and cut and split it and allow it dry out.

*Please note that currently there are restrictions concerning the movement of hardwood firewood. This is under order of quarantine because of an invasive disease named the Thousand Canker’s Disease.* 

For more information on the 2012 quarantine please visit the following website: www.agriculture.state.pa.us or contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 1-866-253-7189.

In addition, there are some basic requirements the firewood seller must adhere to. 

An invoice with the following information must accompany all firewood sales; the name, address and phone number of the business, amount and type of wood purchased, and the price. 

All firewood sales in Pennsylvania must be sold by the cord or fraction of a cord.  A cord is the legal description of amount of wood purchased.  A cord is measured by stacking the wood 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet in length or a total of 128 cubic feet. 

If you get a delivery that is not stacked, stack the delivery within 48 hours of delivery, and if there is a discrepancy with the amount call the business immediately.

If they do not address the problem call The Bucks County Weights and Measures Department at 215-348-7442. Click here for more information on Weights and Measures.