What exactly is ash?

Now as I know it, 'ash' is what you call the residual, grey-black powdery material left over following the combustion of wood. I'm under the impression that ash is largely just carbon, with little or no organic constituents present along with it (since I'm pretty sure that pure powdered carbon is black, not grey-black ).

Why do people burn ash trees?

The ash tree was thought to have medicinal and mystical properties and the wood was burned to ward off evil spirits. In Norse mythology, ash was the 'Tree of Life' and the first man on Earth was said to have come from an ash tree. Even today it is sometimes known as the 'Venus of the woods'.

Is ash a good wood to burn?

Probably one of the best woods for burning, it produces a steady flame and a good heat output - one kiln dried log can burn for around an hour, producing 4KW of heat. Ash is very dense, with its fibres packed close together, which means it burns for much longer periods than softwood; and indeed most other hardwoods.

Where are ash trees found?

Ash trees are common in woodland and non-woodland settings. They make up 12% of Great Britain’s broadleaved woodland, and are often found in parks, gardens, hedgerows and roadside margins. Ash dieback is present in most parts of England, although the severity of the disease varies locally.