Sustainable wood for fuel has far reaching benefits for the environment, countryside and wildlife
Wood is mankind's oldest form of fuel but over the last 300 years it has largely been replaced by fossil fuels such as coal, gas, oil and electricity. However wood is a major source of renewable energy and has many environmental benefits:
         
When burnt efficiently wood produces virtually no smoke and is 'carbon neutral' Thus the minimal smoke produced through burning wood does not add to 'greenhouse gases' which are associated with global warming and are produced through the use of fossil fuels.
Wood is a 'green 'fuel which doesn't harm the environment
Sustainable wood as fuel is a renewable source of energy
  If Harvested from sustainable sources, wood is a completely renewable source of energy.
Using a sustainable source of firewood promotes the active management of woodland with extensive benefits for the environment, countryside and wildlife.
Using wood as fuel encourages the active management of woodland with associated benefits
Active management of woodland encouraged by using wood as fuel can promote employment opportunities Similarly, but a social advantage, increasing the active management of woodland could increase the number of jobs and employment opportunities in some rural areas.
However, many people's experiences of burning wood are colored by efforts to burn unseasoned wood in open fires. This invariably produces dismal results and leads to a negative impression of the value of wood as fuel. If this is your experience please read on for further information and helpful hints!
The seasoning of the firewood is all imporant for the end result of the burning  

In order to get the best from using wood as fuel, drying is critical. Green, or unseasoned wood, typically contains several hundred liters of water per cubic meter and if burnt green, or unseasoned, the energy contained in the wood is wasted driving off this water rather than heating one's home.

The following information is supplied by the Forestry Commission and are guidelines that we actively follow in the seasoning and supply of our logs and endorse for our customers.
         
   
How wood should be correctly seasoned to release the best burning potential
Fell trees in winter or early spring for next winters fuel   Stack on a sunny site until autumn to become 'air dry'   Convert into logs and store under cover where the wood will not re-absorb water   Ideally, bring a supply of logs indoors prior to use to become 'house dry'  
           
   
It is perhaps worth remembering that we take orders for logs well in advance of the winter and as far as possible will try to meet any individual requirements you may have.
How hardwoods and softwoods compare in their burning  
In terms of the species of wood to use there is a common misconception that hardwoods i.e. Oak, Ash, Beech etc are better firewood than softwoods such as Scots Pine or Conifer. In fact, weight for weight, the energy contained in the wood is very similar.The only difference being is that because softwoods are less dense, a greater volume of wood is needed. However this is a relatively small difference and softwoods can in fact be easier to use simply because they dry more quickly than hardwoods. Indeed, in our experience of burning wood in an open fire, we find that it is the softwoods that give the strong flame and this is why we typically sell our logs as mixed loads.  
The following diagram, again supplied by the Forestry Commission, depicts a useful comparison between the amounts of hardwoods versus softwoods needed to produce the same heat
       
   

A comparisison between the heat given form soft and hard woods

  
   
 
  So, we are environmentally aware and have chosen to use wood to heat at least one room this winter by means of an open fire. We have a good supply of seasoned wood and a beautiful new grate to burn it in, what next? The following hints and tips, adapted form an information sheet provided by The Scouts, may prove useful for the novices among us! Read on!  
         
  Fires have been an essential element of life since man lived in caves! Knowing how to prepare, lay and light a fire as well as knowing how to extinguish a fire safely and clear the fireplace correctly are all equally important. A fire needs to be built carefully - you can't just pile lots of wood together and hope for the best! So it is always necessary to take the time to prepare everything before you actually strike the match!
       
For the wood to burn it needs oxygen. You may need to blow gently or use bellows to help the flames spread.  
FUEL
OXYGEN   HEAT
  Remove any one of these essential elements and the fire will go out!