Some of the best types of wood for burning are ash, beech, hornbeam, hawthorn, crab apple and wild cherry.

Softwoods tend to be easy to light and burn quickly which makes them good kindling. However, some species like spruce spit badly, which makes them a hazard in an open fire.

Hardwoods are generally heavier and denser, which means they have a higher calorific value and burn for longer. However, some of the densest hardwoods such as oak and elm can be difficult to burn, so it is a good idea to combine them with another type of wood.