Wood as fuel

[terrier]

Question time ! OH and myself remember a few years ago reading a verse/poem about different types of wood and how well/hot it burns, etc. We think it as in a leaflet for the Solid Fuel Advisory Service? We now can't remember any of the verse so if there's anyone who knows what I'm on about, please post. It listed loads of different types of wood commonly available for fuel and commented on their suitability for burning.

[Peter]

Google works wonders, , found at http://forum.rivercottage.net/viewto...ce49d86e49398e by searching for "willow ash oak burn poem" was this:

LOGS TO BURN

Logs to burn, logs to burn,
Logs to save the coal a turn
Here's a word to make you wise,
When you hear the woodman's cries.
Never heed his usual tale,
That he has good logs for sale,
But read these lines and really learn,
the proper kind of logs to burn.

OAK logs will warm you well,
If they're old and dry.
LARCH logs of pine wood smell,
But the sparks will fly.
BEECH logs for Christmas time,
YEW logs heat well.
SCOTCH logs it is a crime,
For anyone to sell.

BIRCH logs will burn too fast,
CHESTNUT scarce at all
HAWTHORN logs are good to last,
If you cut them in the fall
HOLLY logs will burn like wax
You should burn them green
ELM logs like smouldering flax
No flame to be seen

PEAR logs and APPLE logs,
they will scent your room.
CHERRY logs across the dogs,
Smell like flowers in bloom
But ASH logs, all smooth and grey,
burn them green or old;
Buy up all that come your way,
They're worth their weight in gold.

More info at: http://www.wildeye.co.uk/trees/firewood.html

[terrier]

Many thanks, Peter, that's the one. I'll have to be more inventive with my Google searches.

[Snadger]

Just to be awkward, my main burning wood is Sycamore, a weed tree of which there is no mention!

[scarey55]

Just to be awkward, my main burning wood is Sycamore, a weed tree of which there is no mention!

Can you send me some seeds We are trying to think of what to plant to produce fairly quick growing trees for firewood. Much cheaper that paying for logs to be delivered.

[Birdie Wife]

If you want quick firewood, try willow. Grows really quick, and you can use the 1st year wood as bean poles. Really easy to propagate too, no need to sow seeds, just cut a bit off and poke it in the ground, right side up.

[scarey55]

Thanks BW,
We have always fancied a willow in the garden anyway. Scared55 will need something for his newly sown broad beans too so doubly good advice. I shall go out on the "pinch" this afternoon .

[terrier]

Just to be awkward, my main burning wood is Sycamore, a weed tree of which there is no mention!

Thats 'cos no one wants a Sycamore tree anywhere near their garden. I had one in a previous house, it was HUGE and all the neighbours for several hundred yards around complained about it seeding their lawns.

[shirlthegirl43]

Just to be awkward, my main burning wood is Sycamore, a weed tree of which there is no mention!

I have a pile of leylandii logs drying out and waiting for me to get either a fire-pit or a chiminea. Anyone know how well they will burn?

[Snadger]

I have a pile of leylandii logs drying out and waiting for me to get either a fire-pit or a chiminea. Anyone know how well they will burn?

Someone mentioned burning some on another thread methinks? They are a hardwood so should burn hot and I would imagine they would be quite aromatic?

[shirlthegirl43]

Someone mentioned burning some on another thread methinks? They are a hardwood so should burn hot and I would imagine they would be quite aromatic?

Might have been me memory is not what it used to be!! Cheers Snadger.

[GeordieVik]

Hi Terrier,

I found this a while ago - quite informative

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/...s/fs315001.pdf

Vik

[Alice]

Shirlthegirl, the Leylandi will burn great, just make sure they are in an enclosed wood burning stove as they spark all over the place.
Ash is the best burning logs for my money.
Rowan and Cherry do nothing but smoulder and put the fire out.

Scarey55 - as Birdiewife says, willow is very fast growing and burns well. And you could try Eucalyptus. Easy from seed, grows fast, burns well, smells great.

[terrier]

Thanks GeordieVic, handy link.
A couple of years ago I had quite a bit of oak to burn. I thoughty it would burn slowly being hardwood but it didn't last long, burnt to ash in no time. I've used a lot of leylandii in the past ( I call it road kill,after the council have been round and not cleared away fast enough). Good stuff for woodburners but needs air or it will die on you.The list GeordieVic found says that Horse Chestnut burns well but spits. I can vouch for that 'cos I burnt some last night and it spit like a good'un, frightened the life out of puppy who'd never seen a 'real' fire before.

[Snadger]

My two main burning woods are chipboard and sycamore logs! The chipboard blocks used on pallets give off a lot of heat!