[quote user="milkeybar kid"]Proof of the puddin is the eating - try it! We have that info Gondrin as well, but not about the black smoke!!! but tried poplar after we had it under cover for 12 months (well dried) and we found it burned adequately it gave off good heat - burnt a bit on the quick side and noticed nothing different to our usual as regards yuk on the front glass, and if its free - what the heck!!![/quote] Yes, I agree with that. For instance, all the advice - old and new- is that ash is excellent. In fact, I don't find it all that good, certainly not as good as oak for instance. And chopping up a mountain of poplar is going to keep one very warm indeed!