For an excellent book on the historic uses of wood, and the archaeological
implications of wood's impact on our lives, read _Red Oaks & Black Birches:
The Science and Lore of Trees_ by Rebecca Rupp (1990)

Larry wrote:
>I've never considered myself particularly sane, nevertheless I would never
>burn beautiful cabinet wood (cherry) if I could get oak!

Me neither ... not all cherry is perfect and good for useful enterprises,
besides, some bonehead cut it into odd lengths and at odd angles and no one
else recognized it as a good wood!  I did save a few good chunks for
turning and riving.  Hundreds of tons of incredible oak, on the other hand,
is being bucked up into cordwood as no sane lumberman would touch
residential trees.

While in Washington state I was surprised to see everyone burning perfectly
clear sitka spruce by the forest load.

         dan W.