Wood Lore

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;
Hawthorne-logs are good to last —
Catch them in the fall.

Holly logs will burn like wax,
You may burn them green;
Elm-logs like to 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,
Smell like flower of broom.

Ash-logs, smooth and gray,
Burn them green or old,
Buy up all that come your way —
Worth their weight in gold.


Beware of an oak,
It draws the stroke. (lightning)
Avoid an Ash,
It courts the flash. (again lightning)
Creep under the thorn,
It will save you from harm.


Burn ash-wood green,
'Tis fit for a queen;
Burn ash-wood sere,
'Twill make a man swear.

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