Is a bonfire a good way to dispose of garden waste?

I wouldn't use engine or any other oil, you should be able to get it lit and burning, just need some dry twiggy stuff at the bottom to start it off with some old newspapers. I'd also move the heap away from the trees.

Edit: just realised I'm repeating pete and noisette's replies !

 

You obviously have a lot of land and should therefore be able to make sufficient compost from other materials in your garden.

I make sufficient compost, 5 compost heaps approx. 5ft x 5ft x 5ft, and still have to have regular bonfires.

Safety matters (mentioned above):- have it away from trees with no overhanging branches above, particularly if it is a big bonfire (mine is about 8ft - 10ft from trees), I consider a hose is essential and hose the trees down before lighting the fire and then keep it handy all the time and hose the trees down during the fire. I 'rattle' the bonfire heap before lighting by going round it and pushing a pole backwards and forwards through it (long handle of a rake or similar). This should get any wildlife out of it.

If you leave the bonfire sufficient time to get dry (the leaves having dried on the branches should be sufficient time) you can light it with just old newspaper. Place loosely scrunched up newspaper under the heap in a number of places. I then use newspaper as a fire lighter. I twist it into a tight long brand with just the last few inches left loose so that it will light easily. The tightly twisted part will burn gradually but give you enough time to walk round the heap and light the scrunched up piles. Don't light the fire if it is windy, to prevent flying embers.

Light blue touchpaper and stand back! If the heap is fairly dry it will burn quickly. Wear a hat to protect your hair from flying embers and keep an eye on flying embers in case you need to hose them down. Don't walk away whilst there are any flames. Once it is down to just embers you can leave it but check back a few times. It may continue to smoulder for a day or so.

The ash can be helpful. in small quantities, on the garden as it is potash.

 

The only place I have bonfires these days is at my allotment site. There is no electric so I couldn't use my shredder. We are only allowed to have bonfires in the first two weeks of November after dusk, so we don't annoy the locals.