11 Kinds of Wood That Should Not Be Burned in a Fireplace (Plus Bonus Materials)

I know it’s tempting to burn just about anything that will produce heat, especially if you’ve got a pile of “free wood” sitting around. But not everything that burns is safe to burn.

Some types of wood give off toxic smoke that can be dangerous to breathe. Others burn so hot or dirty that they can seriously increase your risk of a chimney fire. That’s why it’s important to know what not to throw into your fireplace.

Below is a list of 11 kinds of wood you should not burn in a fireplace, followed by 7 common household materials that also don’t belong in your fire.

11 Kinds of Wood Not to Burn in Your Fireplace

1. Green (Unseasoned) Wood

The best firewood is seasoned wood, not green wood. Depending on the species, firewood usually needs 6–12 months to dry properly.

When you burn green wood, you’ll get a lot of smoke and a lot of creosote buildup in your chimney. All wood creates some creosote, but green wood creates much more than normal.

Creosote is basically unburned particles in smoke that stick to your chimney walls. If enough builds up, it can ignite and cause a chimney fire. If you can avoid it, don’t burn green wood indoors.

2. Non-Local Wood

If you buy firewood, try to buy it locally. Ask where it came from. If it was hauled in from far away, it’s best to pass.

Invasive pests like the emerald ash borer and Asian long-horned beetle move slowly on their own, but they spread fast when we move firewood for them. Bringing non-local wood onto your property can introduce insects that damage your trees and nearby forests.

Buying local firewood helps protect your land and the woods around you.

3. Christmas Trees

You’d be surprised how many people toss their old Christmas tree into the fireplace.

Christmas trees are loaded with dry needles and sticky sap. They burn extremely fast, pop and spark, and can send embers racing up your chimney. That combination makes them a great way to start a chimney fire.

They may look like free firewood, but they’re not worth the risk.

4. Driftwood

Driftwood can produce pretty blue and purple flames, but it doesn’t belong in your fireplace.

Driftwood often contains salt and other minerals, and when burned it can release harmful chemicals, including dioxins. Instead of burning driftwood, it’s better used as decoration or kept as a reminder of a good trip to the coast.

5. Poisonous Woods

This one should be obvious, but it’s worth saying.

Don’t burn anything with “poison” in the name — poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and similar plants. Burning them releases irritating oils into the smoke. Breathing that smoke can cause serious lung irritation and severe allergic reactions.

6. Oleander

Oleander is a beautiful plant, but it’s extremely toxic. All parts of it are poisonous.

Burning oleander can release toxins that affect the heart, digestive system, and nervous system. Don’t burn it, don’t cook over it, and don’t use sticks from it for roasting marshmallows.

7. Endangered or Protected Trees

Some tree species are rare or threatened, and they shouldn’t be burned if you have other options.

In some cases, insects, disease, or habitat loss have pushed certain trees close to extinction. If a tree species is protected or endangered in your area, it’s best to leave it standing and burn something more common instead.

8. Plywood, Particle Board, or Chipboard

A lot of cheap furniture and building materials are made from particle board or plywood. These materials are glued together with strong adhesives.

When burned, those glues release toxic fumes you don’t want in your house. If you need to get rid of old furniture or scrap wood, repurpose it or dispose of it properly — don’t burn it.

9. Painted or Stained Wood

Painted and stained wood often contains chemicals that become airborne when burned.

This kind of wood might look dry and burnable, but the smoke can be hazardous to breathe. If the wood has been painted or stained, it doesn’t belong in your fireplace.

10. Pressure-Treated Lumber

Pressure-treated wood is designed to resist rot and insects. That means it contains chemical preservatives.

Burning pressure-treated wood releases those chemicals into the air inside your home. Never burn it in a fireplace. Repurpose it or dispose of it at a landfill.

11. Wood Pallets

Wood pallets seem like a great source of free wood, but they’re often treated with chemicals or exposed to industrial substances.

Because you usually don’t know where a pallet came from or what it’s been exposed to, it’s best not to burn pallet wood indoors.

7 Bonus Materials You Should Not Burn

1. Cardboard

Cardboard contains manufactured chemicals and burns unpredictably. Pieces can float up the chimney or blow out of the fireplace if you don’t have a screen in place. It’s better recycled than burned.

2. Trash

Your fireplace is not an incinerator. Burning trash releases unhealthy fumes and can make your house smell terrible. This includes food waste, wrappers, cartons, and packaging.

3. Plastic

Burning plastic produces thick black smoke and hazardous fumes. It also leaves a nasty mess behind. Plastic belongs in the recycling bin or trash — not the fireplace.

4. Paper

Loose paper can easily catch a draft and go airborne. If you burn paper at all, do so carefully and in small amounts. A fireplace screen is a must.

5. Magazines

Magazine ink releases chemicals when burned. Instead of burning them, recycle or donate them to a waiting room, library, or nursing home.

6. Styrofoam

Styrofoam doesn’t burn cleanly and gives off fumes that can affect the nervous system. It’s best reused for packing or disposed of properly.

7. Coal

Coal burns much hotter than wood and produces carbon monoxide. If you want to burn coal, you need a fireplace or stove designed for it. Don’t burn coal in a standard wood fireplace.

Conclusion

When it comes to fireplaces, it pays to be a little picky. Burning the wrong wood or materials can lead to chimney fires or fill your home with harmful smoke.

Just because something burns doesn’t mean it should be burned. When in doubt, take a few minutes to check before tossing it on the fire.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments.