Wherever you live in this country, you will find that there are far more than just six types of tree around, quite a number of which, you will find that you can name.
A lot you will know by just thinking; such trees as the Holly, Oak, Beech, Birch, Pine, Ash, Hawthorn, Horse Chestnut -there, in fact, are more than six already! So you see, there is nothing particularly difficult about that part of the test. The next part, though, is slightly more difficult, as you have probably not come across the need to know the burning qualities of them. Here, you will find a list of trees, and the burning qualities of their woods, and in some cases, their barks.
Birch bark Excellent for starting the fire, as both the wood, but especially the bark burns very easily. However, it burns very quickly.
Conifers Very good for taking over after Birch, but again, burns fairly quickly. The logs usually make the basis of the centre of the campfire.
Holly This makes a good fuel for really getting the fire going.
Crab Apple & Cherry Good burners, useful for the preparation of the cooking fire.
Ash & Beech These are perhaps one of the best woods to use as they are easy to prepare, and burn well for a reasonable time.
Yew, Hazel, Hawthorn Very good for cooking, dry twigs on bushes are excellent for starting a fire on a wet day. These burn very well, especially when dry.
Lime, Sycamore & Plane Difficult to light, but once burning gives off a good heat, which is useful for items
which do not require a lot of flame.
Oak Another wood difficult to light, but again, when once alight, will give a good heat, and last a long time. Useful when bedding down the fire at night, to keep it until morning.
Hornbeam Very hard to split and prepare, but will burn well.
Horse chestnut, Elder All woods to be avoided, as they either do not burn well
You may find this rhyme useful.
These hard woods burn well and slowly,
Ash, Beech, Hawthorn, Oak and Holly,
Soft woods blaze up quick and fine,
Birch, Fir, Hazel, Larch and Pine,
Elder and Willow you'll regret
Chestnut green and Sycamore wet.
