Here is a poem to help you stay warm inside as the the New Year cold begins to bite.
Oak-logs will warm you well,
that are are old and dry.
Logs of pine will sweetly smell
but the sparks will fly.
Birch-logs will burn too fast
Chestnut scarse at all.
Hawthorne-logs are good to last,
cut them in the fall.
Holly-logs will burn like wax
you may burn them green.
Elm-logs like to smouldering flax,
no flame can 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,
smell 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.
The poem is an extract from “The White Goddess” by Robert Graves