Splitting this elm was a dream. I’d take 100 more dead standing elm logs if I could get them. Another species I would love to have more of is Hawthorn. I have a slim to none chance for BL, so I’d go Hickory, WO, RO.
I’ve never even heard of smooth bark hickory, so hard to judge there. For me, I’d pick white oak first. I’ve been burning the chestnut variety for years and still have years c/s/s. Love the smells, only negative is the messy nature of its sapwood/bark. Next wood be red oak. When I split RO, my splitter wedge goes in about 2-3” and done. Really cuts back on processing time. I’m 5-6 years ahead so dry time is a non issue. I personally like the smell unless there is any decay, then it can get putrid. 3rd black locust. I really love having it on hand. It cranks btu’s for a very long time in my Englands add-on wood furnace. The smoke is not pleasant when reloading. IF you listed shaggy hickory, it wood be #1 on my list.
He maybe referring to bitternut hickory. Of the three common here it has the smoothest bark. I just googled it and the result was another name for pignut hickory Carya glabra
