I came across this poem years ago. I have no idea as to the original author — If you do – please let me know.
Beech wood fires burn bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year
Chestnut only good they say
If for long ‘tis laid away
But ash new or ash old
Is fit for queen with crown of gold
Birch and fir logs burn too fast
Blaze up bright and do not last
It is by the Irish said
Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread
Elmwood burns like churchyard mold
E’en the very flames are cold
But ash green or ash brown
Is fit for queen with golden crown
Poplar gives a bitter smoke
Fills your eyes and makes you choke
Apple wood will scent your room
With an incense like perfume
Oaken logs, if dry and old
Will keep away the winter’s cold
But ash wet or ash dry
A king shall warm his slippers by
Author unknown
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My Granddaughter read this poem in school and says the author is Julia W. Wolfe.
First published in THE TIMES (of course) March 2nd 1930
Poem written by Celia Congrove see link
www://hobbyfarming.co.uk/firewood.htm
I came across this poem along time ago , i actually read it on a wall in a public house on the Isle of Anglesey, it was in a frame, which to me looked very old, no author was listed, but if you know your fire wood every word is true.
I knew this poem in childhood. The only lines I could remember were ‘but ash wet or ash dry for a Queen to warm her slippers by.’ So glad to find it again.