Christmas Logs

Probably the epitome of Christmas is sitting around a blazing fire roasting chestnuts amongst its dancing flames. But as all folk of the moor know, not any old log will do, oh no it has to be the right sort of wood as the following Dartmoor verse explains:

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-

Cut them in the fall.

Holly logs will burn like wax,

You may burn them green;

Elm logs like smouldering 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 flowers of broom.

Ash logs, smooth and grey,

Burn them green or old,

Buy up all that come your way-

Worth their weight in gold.