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Last winter I started scavenging wood for this winter. By September I had quite a pile. And when cut and chopped i thought I had enough for this winter. It was about 3 cubic meters. (We have a CRT Mooring and a wood store) Its mostly Willow, Chestnut, a little Ash and some Poplar and London Plain. Its not fully seasoned all of it but its done us fine so far and it is mostly free ( a bit of petrol for collection and cutting etc) Well, since October its mostly gone! I reckon I've got about a cubic meter left. Which, if the mild weather continues might get us to Christmas. So here's the question - Coal or wood? Its to late to scavenge as the wood would be unseasoned and anyway it's cold and wet out there. So Im going to have to part with some money - gritted teeth. Locally (London River Lee) I can get delivered 3m2 bags of seasoned Ash/Oak for £200 or buy coal Homefires 25kg for £16.50 at Springfield Marina. I think I would prefer wood but not if it's going to cost me significantly more. Any thoughts about how to compare costs? Will I use less wood if it Oak and Ash? Of I found this ditty : Beech-wood fires burn bright and clear If the logs are kept a year; Store your beech for Christmastide With new-cut holly laid beside; Chestnut's only good, they say, If for years 'tis stored away; Birch and fir-wood burn too fast Blaze too bright and do not last; Flames from larch will shoot up high, Dangerously the sparks will fly; But ash-wood green and ash-wood brown Are fit for a Queen with a golden crown. Oaken logs, if dry and old, Keep away the winter's cold; Poplar gives a bitter smoke, Fills your eyes and makes you choke; Elm-wood burns like churchyard mould, E'en the very flames are cold; It is by the Irish said; Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread, Apple-wood will scent the room, Pear-wood smells like flowers in bloom; But ash-wood wet and ash-wood dry A King may warm his slippers by. cute!