Although I have plenty of standing timber on my place, I buy a truck load of logs and cut them into firewood. I always ask my friend to give me as much locust as he can as I prefer locust above any other wood as it burns very hot, is easy to ignite and leaves a very fine ash. Locust bark, like many others have posted, is a great firestarter. I always gather up the locust bark after splitting and put it on a pile which I then tarp. As needed, I bring a bucket of bark up to the house for starting. Another starting trick I discovered is to purchase one of the "Fireplace Logs" from Walmart, chop it into walnut sized pieces, place them in a ziploc bag and you have great, cheap firestarters. It's cold and rainy in Western MD tonight, I'm stoking the woodstove and hittin' the sack. Good night Ladies!