It burns well, stores well and is widely distributed, but it is somewhat difficult to split. Red oaks are plentiful and easy to split. They often have a sour odor when freshly cut. Ash has often been called the best firewood. Blackjack and other scrub oaks are preferred by some almost to the exclusion of other woods.
Soft maple is available on wet sites as far south as Collier County.
The gums, in general, are difficult to split and store. Some hickories can be split without too much difficulty but pecan, which is a hickory, is difficult to split. If possible cut only trees small enough to be used as round or chunk wood. Wood formed at the base of limbs or in forks is usually difficult to break apart. Sometimes you can split off exterior parts and saw up the remainder into pieces which can be fit into a fireplace or stove.