Logs to Burn in Winter Time

Logs to Burn 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 wood 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. ----------Another Variation---------------------

Beech-wood fires burn bright and clear If the logs are kept a year; Store your beech for Christmastide With new-cut holly laid beside; Chestnut's only good, they say, If for years 'tis stored away; Birch and fir-wood burn too fast Blaze too bright and do not last; Flames from larch will shoot up high, Dangerously the sparks will fly; But ash-wood green and ash-wood brown Are fit for a Queen with a golden crown. Oaken logs, if dry and old, Keep away the winter's cold; Poplar gives a bitter smoke, Fills your eyes and makes you choke; Elm-wood burns like churchyard mould, E'en the very flames are cold; Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread - So it is in Ireland said; Apple-wood will scent the room, Pear-wood smells like flowers in bloom; But ash-wood wet and ash-wood dry A King may warm his slippers by.