Some handy hints & tips

(See right for links for more information…)

Some types of tree make better firewood than others. In general ash, oak, beech, birch, sycamore, hornbeam are all first class firewoods. All Conifers such as pine burn very hot when properly air dried and are more suited for Wood Burning Stoves and Gasifiers. Alder, willows and poplars have traditionally been considered poor firewoods due to their high moisture content and tendancy to smoulder in an open fire. However modern stoves are so efficient that they will burn any timber provided it is dry and willow is now being grown specifically as a fuel crop for making wood chip and pellets.

Here are some excellent links if you want to read more:

http://www.sei.ie/uploadedfiles/InfoCentre/irbeawoodfuel.pdf