The paper deals briefly with the basic principles of tile nitrogen oxide formation in small wood furnaces. It is shown that the nitrogen oxide emissions of these furnaces are determined extensively by the nitrogen content of the wood. An assessment of the conversion ratios of fuel-nitrogen to nitrogen monoxide for the various combustion phases (start-up, main combustion and burn-out phase) during the combustion of the charges shows the NO-reduction potential through measures on tile primary side. A description of the emission situation and of the emission proportions of the energy carrier wood as to the total emissions ill tire area of households and small consumers shows the load of nitrogen oxide emissions and of products of incomplete combustion and points to tile necessary consequences, for example in tile area of testing methods.