fuel or foe?

Oh dear. As well as being very ignorant concerning gardening....I'm also at a loss with the woodburner (multifuel, label on side) fire I inherited with new house.
A friend has just bought me a quite large amount of cherry logs. He said they're seasoned (don't know what with). They look rather damp to me so are now in my garage and conservatory to dry out. - I suppose I'm seeking reassurance that cherrywood does burn, he seemed quite keen to give them away....

 

Isn't the cherry tree related to plums and blackthorn and such, or did I imagine that? If it is, then it will make excellent firewood.

In any case, as FC says, it will be fine as long as its properly dried out (seasoned I guess, not just damp from rain). Perhaps your friend was keen to get rid of the logs for no reason other than that they were taking up space, he had no use for them, and he knew you could use them.

 

Here you are - advice in rhyme:

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.

Never heed his usual tale,
That he has good logs for sale,
But read these lines and really learn,
The proper kind of logs to burn.

Oak logs will warm you well,
If they’re old and dry.
Larch logs of pine will smell,
But the sparks will fly.

Beech logs for Christmas time,
Yew logs heat well.
“Scotch” logs it is a crime,
For anyone to sell.

Birch logs will burn too fast,
Chestnut scarce at all.
Hawthorn logs are good to last,
If you cut them in the fall.

Holly logs will burn like wax,
You should burn them green,
Elm logs like smouldering flax,
No flame to be seen.

Pear logs and apple logs,
They will scent your 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

 

Have you had the chimney or flue swept? Don't want it catching fire

 

Ash is the way to go (if you can get them).

How do I know this?

Well, the person who put up my fencing (and, erm, trimmed some ASH trees - and, kindly (?) took them away again - made comment that Ash wood is the very best for burning (and the blighter never even gave me a discount on his quote after he snaffled *my* ash trimmings - grr!

If the logs are "seasoned" (eg not with pepper, herbs or spice ) it should mean that they have been given, at least, one year to dry out. Therefore, they are not this years trimmings! They should burn nicely.

 

I'd love to get my hands on some cherry logs. Has a lovely colour to the wood.

 

Did you read that she wishes to *burn* them (not *carve* them) ?

No, wait! There could be a business/trade swap opportunity here ....

 

I know lol! I just think its such as shame that some lovely trees are just cut down and burn instead of letting someone like me butcher it. Makes the trees sacrifice more worthwhile IMO.

Forgot to add if you're unsure on the moisture content of the logs buy a moisture meter only costs £20 and will give you a reading to tell you if its still green or seasoned. There are a lot of people out there selling unseasoned wood which is no good to woodburners but great for wood carvers. ;-)

 

Might have some Cherry wood @Jungle Jane

I'll have a look over the weekend

 

I've burnt some of mine today. Thank you all so much for the advice, it's sooooo lovely and toasty ...... I shall have to look for a toasting fork, memories of how delicious toast done on fire was long, long ago. And want a kettle to put on top of stove in case of powercuts. Is a sheepskin hearthrug way too ott?

 

I have got some, but it's near the bottom of the wood pile @Jungle Jane

 

I can wait. How big are they?

 

Without going out with a torch, couple of foot by about 3 inches