Frequently Asked Question

I Feel I Was Cheated by Someone Selling Firewood
Last Updated 5 years ago

Before buying firewood from anyone, check to make sure they are licensed.

If the dealer is in the firewood business, they are required to have a Forest Products Operators License issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Forest Service. The Maryland Forest Service can provide you with a list of licensed operators in your area. If you have found a potential dealer, you can easily check if they are properly licensed by calling 410-260-8531 or by using this link: https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/fpo_search.aspx , select "firewood" and your county.

A common complaint is that people received far less wood than the cord they paid for. So, what is a cord?

A cord is a measurement of wood that when neatly stacked and rowed equals 128 cubic feet. This stack measures 4 feet tall by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long or its equivalent (which means stack it neatly any way you like as long as it equals 128 cubic feet).

If you think you were shortchanged, the State wants to know about it.

Maryland law states that firewood must be sold by a cord or a fraction of a cord. This is enforced by the Maryland Department of Agriculture's - Weights and Measures section. If you have a concern about the volume of wood you have paid for you should contact them at (410) 841-5790. Note: they only handle matters where the volume of wood is in dispute.

Don't Buy Firewood from Prince Georges County, Unless You Live There

P.G. County has been plagued with an invasive, tree-killing bug called the emerald ash borer that can devastate forests. The insect can be spread to other areas via firewood. Read more in the Headline News: https://search.somd.com/search.cgi?t=news&q=emerald+ash+borer

More tips and information about buying Firewood in Maryland is available from the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources at https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/firewoodinfo.aspx

Please Wait!

Please wait... it will take a second!