Leo’s Firewood

About Leo’s Firewood — Firewood Supplier in Evanston

Leo’s Firewood serves Evanston and surrounding Chicagoland communities as a trusted firewood supplier, providing premium seasoned hardwood to homeowners heating with wood, camping enthusiasts, and restaurants operating wood-fired ovens. Located on Fowler Avenue, this local supplier understands the demands of Illinois winters and delivers reliable fuel for cozy nights and outdoor adventures.

The inventory features properly seasoned oak, hickory, maple, and cherry split logs, along with kindling bundles, full cord deliveries, and face cord options. Each delivery includes wood that’s been seasoned for optimal burn time and heat output, ensuring customers get maximum BTU value from every log.

Unlike big box stores selling green or improperly stored wood, Leo’s Firewood specializes in the seasoning process that makes all the difference between struggling with smoky, inefficient fires and enjoying clean-burning, high-heat flames. Local suppliers understand regional wood species and climate conditions that affect proper seasoning.

Evanston’s mix of historic homes with working fireplaces and modern residents embracing outdoor fire pits creates steady demand for quality firewood. The proximity to both urban Chicago and natural areas means customers range from city dwellers to suburban families hosting backyard gatherings year-round.

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Location & Directions

What to Expect When You Visit

Visiting a firewood supplier like Leo’s typically involves driving to a yard where seasoned wood is stacked and covered, ready for loading. You’ll see different wood species separated into piles, with staff who can explain the burning characteristics of oak versus hickory, help calculate how much wood you need, and arrange delivery if you can’t haul it yourself.

Expect to learn about moisture content, seasoning time, and proper storage techniques. Good suppliers will let you inspect the wood, checking for the telltale signs of seasoned hardwood: lighter weight, cracks in the end grain, and that distinctive hollow sound when pieces are knocked together.

Products & Materials

Leo’s Firewood specializes in premium seasoned hardwoods including oak, hickory, maple, and cherry, each offering different burn characteristics and BTU outputs. Oak provides long, steady burns perfect for overnight heating, while hickory delivers intense heat ideal for wood-fired cooking. Maple offers consistent, moderate heat with pleasant aroma, and cherry burns clean with minimal sparking.

Products include full cord deliveries (128 cubic feet of stacked wood), face cords for smaller needs, and convenient kindling bundles for easy fire starting. Split logs come in various sizes to fit different fireplace and wood stove configurations, all properly seasoned to 20% moisture content or less for optimal performance.

The supplier also stocks fire-starting supplies and can provide guidance on proper wood storage, stacking techniques, and seasonal timing for the best wood purchases.

Who Shops Here

Leo’s Firewood serves Evanston homeowners with working fireplaces and wood stoves, camping families preparing for weekend getaways, local restaurants operating wood-fired pizza ovens, and outdoor enthusiasts maintaining fire pits and backyard gathering spaces throughout Chicago’s extended heating season.

Serving the Evanston, Illinois Area

Evanston’s diverse housing stock includes many historic homes with original fireplaces alongside modern residences featuring contemporary wood-burning systems, creating consistent demand for quality firewood. The city’s proximity to lakefront parks and camping areas, plus a community that values sustainable heating options, supports local wood suppliers who understand the region’s specific needs and harsh winter conditions.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Call ahead to confirm wood availability and arrange delivery, especially during peak fall and winter seasons
• Ask about moisture content testing – properly seasoned wood should be 20% moisture or less
• Inspect end grain for cracks and listen for hollow sounds when pieces are knocked together
• Calculate your needs: a full cord typically lasts 6-10 weeks for primary heating, less for occasional use
• Consider mixing wood species – oak for overnight burns, hickory for maximum heat output
• Plan storage space before delivery – wood needs covered, ventilated area off the ground

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Evanston, Illinois

The Chicago Woodworkers Guild, one of the oldest and largest woodworking organizations in the Midwest, serves the greater Chicago area including Evanston with monthly meetings, workshops, and an extensive lending library. Nearby resources include the Evanston MakerSpace, which offers woodworking equipment and classes in a collaborative community environment, and Oakton Community College in nearby Des Plaines, which provides comprehensive woodworking courses through their continuing education program. The Windy City Woodturners, a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners, meets monthly in nearby Arlington Heights and welcomes woodturners of all skill levels.

Find a local woodworking guild →  ·  Find an AAW chapter →

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