Good Wood: Wood that burns well includes: Apple, ash, birch, hawthorn, holly, oak, pear and sycamore. They give you a hotter and longer burn time and also have the least pitch and sap and are generally cleaner to handle.  Bad Wood: Wood that doesn't burn well includes: Douglas fir, chessnut, elder, larch, pine, poplar, spruce, walnut and willow. Although they vary, they tend to produce more smoke than flame or spark as well as leave more soot residue clogging up your log stove and chimney.