A Woodburner's Guide

There is nothing like wood heat to really warm your bones. I found this interesting little poem the other day and thought I would share it with you. I never knew much about the burning  properties of various types of wood and so had sporadic luck with getting a good fire going in my stove. I will keep this information in mind as I look for wood to stockpile for the next winter.



A WOODBURNER'S GUIDE:

Beechwood fires are bright and clear

If the logs are kept a year.

Chestnut's only good, they say,

If for long it's laid away.

Birch and fir logs burn too fast,

Blaze up bright and do not last.

It is by the Irish said,

Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.

Elm wood burns like a churchyard mold,

E ' en the very flames are cold.

Poplar gives a bitter smoke,

Fills your eyes and makes you choke.

Apple wood will scent your room

With an incense like perfume.

Oak and maple, if dry and old,

Keep away the winter cold.

But Ash wood wet or Ash wood dry,

A king shall warm his slippers by.


Note: birch bark is extremely flamable even when wet, it makes an excellent fire starter if you have lots laying around.