Wood Burning Properties
Here is a list of commonly found wood in the UK with a brief description of it's burning characteristics.
Contributions are welcome.
As a rule, hardwoods burn slower/longer than softwoods. Softwoods are ideal for kindling.
Alder
A poor wood. It burns quickly and gives off little heat.
Apple
A good wood. It burns slowly and gives off good heat. It also smell nice and doesn't tend to spark/spit too much. Really needs to be dry (seasoned).
Ash
One of the best woods to burn. Gives good heat and flame, burns slowly. Will also burn when green.
Beech
Like Ash, burns well but not so good when green. Has a tendancy to spark.
Birch
Is a very good burning wood although burns fairly fast. Mix with slower burning woods.
Blackthorn
Another good wood. Burns slowly with lots of heat and little smoke.
Cedar
Good wood for cooking. Gives lots of heat but little flame. Also smell nice.
Cherry
Burns slow and with lots of heat. Needs to be seasoned. Little or no spitting.
Douglas Fir
Not very good. Produces little flame or heat.
Elder
Burns quickly with little heat. Very smokey.
Elm
Needs to be well seasoned to burn. Slow burner and good heat output.
Hawthorn
Burns slowly with lots of heat and little smoke.
Hazel
Excellent wood when seasoned. Burns fast but without spitting.
Holly
A good wood. Can be burnt green.
Hornbeam
Another good wood. Burns well.
Horse Chesnut
Produces heat and flame, but spits a lot.
Larch
Needs to be seasoned well. Spits excessively while it burns.
Laurel
Produces a good flame.
Lime
A poor wood.
Maple
A good wood. Burns slow with good heat.
Oak
One of the best firewoods. When seasoned well, it gives off a good, lasting heat. Burns reasonably slowly.
Pear
Needs to be seasoned well. Burns well with a pleasant smell and without spitting.
Pine
Burns well but tends to spit. The resinous wood makes good kindling.
Poplar
Burns slowly to produce a black choking smoke even when seasoned.
Spruce
Burns very quickly and sparks badly.
Sycamore
Burns well but produces only moderate heat.
Walnut
Low quality firewood.
Willow
A poor wood. Do not even try unless it is well seasoned.
Yew
Burns slowly and with a fierce heat.