Best thing to do to make sure your wood is good and dry is to buy it two years ahead.....even three.Stack it outside where it will get a little sun and wind and it will be so dry you can light it with a match.
BTW ,Birch and beech is very close to oak in btu's.......I use a lot of both and it works out fine.
http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index...ng_value_wood/