Firewood

In general, hard woods will burn slowly, whereas soft woods burn fast. Use soft wood as kindling to start the fire and hard wood as fuel when it is established. The wood is assumed to be dry and seasoned. This page currently covers english trees but contributions are welcome.

Alder
A poor fuel, it burns quickly but gives off little heat.

Apple
A good fuel, it burns slowly and gives off a good heat. It is ideal for cooking as it gives off little flame and produces a pleasent smell.

Ash
One of the best burning woods. Produces both heat and flame, and will also burn well when green.

Beech
Like Ash, it produces both heat and flame, though it does not burn as well when green. It also has a tendency to spark

Birch
Produces good heat but burns quickly.

Blackthorn
Burns slowly, with lots of heat and little smoke.

Cedar
Good for cooking as it gives lots of heat witrh little flame, and has a pleasant smell.

Cherry
Burns slowly and with lots of heat.

Douglas Fir
Produces little flame or heat

Elder
Burns quickly and with little heat. Is very smokey.

Elm
Slow burning but may smoke. Burns poorly unless seasoned.

Hawthorn
Burns slowly with lots of heat and little smoke.

Hazel
A good fuel.

Holly
Good when seasoned.

Hornbeam
Another good fuel.

Horse chestnut
Produces both heat and flame, but tends to spit a lot.

Larch
Fairly good for heat.

Laurel
Produces a good flame

Lime
A poor fuel

Maple
A good fuel

Oak
Produces little flame and an acrid smoke but is a very slow burning fuel which give off lots of heat.

Pear
Produces good heat

Pine
Burns well but tends to spit. The resinous wood makes good kindling.

Poplar
A mediocre fuel.

Spruce
Burns very quickly and sparks badly.

Sycamore
Burns well but generates only moderate heat.

Walnut
A good fuel

Willow
A poor wood. Is completely useless when green.