As a result the grain is often quite twisted and the wood is only suitable for fires, although the logs produced are often difficult to split. They need to be well seasoned before burning, and burn slowly, the dense timber releasing tremendous heat. Ash logs are not as heavy. The straight- grained wood is pale, with smooth bark, easily split and this is reputedly the only species fit for burning when green. I have found that it is better burnt when dry and produces a good bright flame, but does not last as long as either oak or beech, the latter being the favourite of Queen Victoria.
Beech lasts well and produces a good flame.
The sycamore logs burn very quickly, releasing a lot of heat but not lasting too long, and birch is the shortest lasting of the lot - good for quickly reviving a sinking fire though. The two most unusual burners are holly and elm, but there is not much elm about now. A dry holly log burns like coal, except it occasionally produces a small burst of flame, almost as if there are pockets of resin trapped inside. The timber is very, very white and incredibly hard, but cuts like a dream with a chainsaw. Elm just smoulders, like the embers of a fire at the end of the evening.