Cosy Fires

 

At this time of year there is nothing like sitting in front of a cosy log fire. I love my fire because its toasty warm. You can see the soot on the inside of the glass has made a shape like a mushroom!

 

Not all wood is good to burn though, here is an old poem to teach you what is the best wood to burn on your fire -

 

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

 

Beechwood fires burn bright and clear

Hornbeam blazes too

If the logs are kept a year

To season through and through

 

Oak logs will warm you well

If they're old and dry

Larch logs of pinewood smell

But the sparks will fly

 

Pine is good and so is yew

For warmth through wintry days

But poplar and willow too

Take long to dry and blaze

 

Birch logs will burn too fast

Alder scarce at all

Chestnut logs are good to last

If cut in the fall

 

Holly logs will burn like wax

You should burn them green

Elm logs like smouldering flax

No flame is seen

 

Pear logs and apple logs

They will scent a 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

 

Remember this poem if you want to be toasty warm too