Logs to Burn!

Logs to BurnLogs to burn. Logs to burnLogs to save the coal a turnHere's a word to make you wiseWhen you hear the woodman's cries.
Never heed his usual taleThat he has splendid logs for saleBut read these lines and surely learnThe proper kind of logs to burn.
Oak Logs will warm you wellif they are old and dryLarch logs of pinewood smellBut the sparks will fly.
Beech logs for Christmas timeYew logs will heat you well'Scotch' logs it is a crimefor anyone to sell.
Birch logs will burn too fastChestnut scarce at allHawthorn logs are good to lastif you cut them in the fall.
Holly logs will burn like waxYou should burn them greeElm logs like smouldering flaxWith no flame to be seen.
Pear logs and apple logsThey will scent your roomCherry logs across the dogssmell like flowers in bloom.
But ash logs all smooth and greyburn them green or oldBuy all that come your wayThey're worth their weight in gold.
Another one:
Oak logs will warm you well

That are old and dry

Logs of pine will sweetly smell

But the sparks will fly.Birch logs will burn too fast

Chestnut scarce at all;

Hawthorn logs are good to last

Cut them in the fall.Holly logs will burn like wax,

You may burn them green;

Elm logs like smoldering flax

No flame to be seen.

Beech logs for winter time

Yew logs as well

Green Elder logs it is a crime

For any man to sell.Pear logs and apple logs

They will scent your room,

Cherry logs across the dogs

Smells like flower of broom.Ash logs smooth and grey,

Burn them green or old,

Buy up all that come your way –

Worth their weight in gold.
There are lots of these poems - interestingly, they seem to have blended, with whole verses transposed from one version to another.
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 woodsman cry.

Beechwood fires burn bright and clear,Hornbeam blazes too,If the logs are kept a year,to season through and through.
Oaken 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,
The Poplar and the Willow too, they take too long to blaze.

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

Holly logs will burn like wax, you should burn them green,
Elm logs like smouldering flax, no flames with them are seen.

Pear logs and Apple logs, they will scent your room,
Cherry logs, across the dogs, they smell like flowers in bloom.

Ash logs, so smooth and gray, burn them green or old,
Buy up all that come your way they're worth their weight in gold.
This is a version which I posted in January last year...
Beechwood flames are bright and clear

if the logs be kept a year

Oaken logs burn steadily

If the wood be old and dry

Chestnut's only good they say

If long dry years it's laid away

But Ash when new or Ash when old

Is fit for a queen with a crown of gold.

by Dorothy Tilson

Birch and Fir they burn too fast

Blaze too bright and will not last

Build a fire of elder tree

Death within your house you'll see.

If you would bake the sweetest bread

Use Hawthorn, or so 'tis said

But Ash when green or Ash when brown

Will please a queen with a golden crown



Elm will burn like churchyard mould

Even the very flames are cold

Poplar gives a bitter smoke

Burns your eyes and makes you choke

Apple wood will scent your room

Pear wood smells of flowers in bloom.

But Ash when wet or Ash when dry

A queen may warm her slippers by.
Each version has something to offer. I must conduct an experiment next autumn...cut some Hawthorn (second poem) then, when it has seasoned, use it to fire-up the Rayburn when I am baking bread (final poem) ... It is cold and snowy outside - another day for sitting next to the fire and dipping into old books - life is tough!