Can any logs be used for firewood? Is there a problem in using logs from a diseased tree?

First of all, it is best for the “health” of your fireplace to use wood from hardwood trees (maple, oak, ash, hickory, elm, apple, etc.) rather than from evergreen trees. Evergreens contain high amounts of resins, which can quickly accumulate in the chimney as creosote, thereby creating a fire hazard.

Burning wood from diseased trees is usually not a problem, since the disease will not spread by smoke. Occasionally, storing logs can be a concern if there are active insects present in the wood itself, especially when bark beetles or borers are involved. In most cases, simply removing the bark can expose the insects to the elements and make the wood safer to store.