Is it OK to burn storm-fall or dead trees from my own property?
In Arden, the payoff from burning your own wood depends entirely on the firebox. The 1980s-90s open masonry fireplaces across Royal Pines and Skyland are notorious for pulling room heat up the chimney — so your free, well-seasoned storm-fall mostly warms the outdoors. A sealed EPA insert turns that same wood into real heat.
Turn a drafty box into a heater
An open masonry fireplace can actually run a net heat loss, quietly drawing warm room air out through the flue on a cold night. Drop a correctly sized wood insert into that same opening and the math flips — you're suddenly capturing 70 percent or more of your own wood's heat instead of sending it up the chimney. It's one of the more satisfying upgrades we do in these Skyland and Royal Pines homes: same masonry, same free storm-fall, dramatically more warmth. Buncombe County permits the insert and liner, and we meet the inspector.
Season it first, either way
Insert or open hearth, wet wood defeats both. Buck and split freshly downed trees, stack them up off the ground, cap the top, and leave the sides open to move air through. Green oak takes six to twelve months to season in our humidity, and a moisture meter reading under 20 percent is the go-ahead. Standing-dead wood may be closer to ready, but the only way to know for sure is to measure it.
Untreated wood only
Burn natural, untreated wood exclusively — never anything off a deck, fence, or painted surface, since treated wood releases toxic fumes. Keep pine for kindling. And keep up the annual sweep, especially with a full season of your own wood going through. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Arden
We install and service fireplaces throughout Arden and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.