In message , "Keith (Dorset)"
writes
Hi Joan,

For what it's worth I grew up in woodland (down south).

Ash 'burns fierce when it is green' - and will readily shoot when cut from
the base. It should grow well where you are. Rowan is of course an ash...
but is not usually 'coppiced'. The Rowan's berries are very valuable for
winter feeding birds, attractive, and so best left for decorative use.

Like the eucalyptus, botanically rowan is not an ash. An ash is a member
of genus Fraxinus in the Oleaceae (olive family); a rowan (or mountain
ash) is a member of genus Sorbus sensu strictu in the Rosaceae (rose
family). (Sorbus sensu lato includes also includes whitebeams and
service trees). There's also a prickly ash, not closely related to
either.

There is little similarity between ashes and rowans - other than the
pinnate leaves and arborescent habit.

Ash, like Hazel, is also reasonably 'quick' growing, and is an extremely
useful timber to have around - ash has a strong grain and grows very
straight 'without knots'. It doesn't rot or split easily either, and so is
perfect for tool handles and fencing stakes.

Hazel is normally coppiced every 14 years ;-)

Willow is lousy for fires, much too sappy.

Keith


--
Stewart Robert Hinsley