I actually have a splitting maul although I don’t think it’s ‘lady size’. This is all chestnut wood - I had looked it up before & it’s not that great. Here’s the skinny on it:
Chestnut wood is considered moderate to poor firewood compared to top-tier hardwoods like oak, primarily due to its low heat output (averaging 18.0–18.3 million BTUs per cord) and poor coal production. While it is a slow-burning hardwood with low sap content (resulting in low creosote), it produces heavy smoke and excessive sparks, making it unsuitable for open fireplaces without a screen and better suited for outdoor use or log burners with closing doors.
The burning performance varies significantly by variety and seasoning:
Seasoning Requirements: Chestnut is a moist wood requiring 18–24 months to season properly; burning it green results in heavy smoke and inefficient heat.
Variety Differences: American and Sweet Chestnut provide mild, sweet aromas and moderate heat, whereas Chinese Chestnut emits an unpleasant odor and is not recommended. Horse Chestnut (a different species) is a fast-burning, low-density wood with low heat output (approx. 13.8 million BTUs) but is generally avoided for indoor heating due to potential toxins in the smoke.
Usage Recommendations: Due to its low BTU rating, chestnut is best used as kindling or mixed with high-coal woods like oak to extend burn time. It is not ideal for primary heating in wood stoves unless no other hardwood is available.
OK, looks like a nice load of kindling, then. That should keep you busy for the rest of the week. ;)