Many things have changed since then. Orchards have been replaced by urban forest. Seasonal fragrances are now from garden flowers, shade trees and freshly mowed lawns. There are more cars, but they create much less pollution. Smog is scarce, and smoke has been nearly eliminated from the winter sky.

Fireplaces simply are not used as commonly as they have been in the past. Newer homes are not even equipped with them. (Modern building codes allow only gas fireplaces or pellet stoves.) Many fireplaces that were damaged by the Loma Prieta earthquake were removed from older homes. Natural gas is much more convenient, burns cleaner and is relatively inexpensive.

Those of us who still use our fireplaces have found that firewood has also become scarcer. It can no longer be picked up from orchards that are being displaced by new homes, since the orchards are already gone. By the time trees that could be grown for firewood are large enough to be cut, they are protected by heritage tree (preservation) ordinances. Even if firewood is easily obtainable, neighbors might object to the smoke.

Growing trees specifically for firewood is generally impractical on urban lots. Even if trees get cut before they are large enough to be protected by local ordinances (different towns have different ordinances), urban lots simply cannot accommodate enough small trees to produce a substantial quantity of firewood, and disposal of debris might be a problem. Fast-growing trees that could provide wood within a few years are unfortunately the same sort of trees that cause problems if they are not cut down.

Firewood can, of course, be obtained from large trees in the landscape as they get pruned or removed. In fact, tree services charge more if wood must be removed from a job site. They would much rather cut it to firewood length, which is a standard 18 inches, and leave it. For a minimal fee, firewood can even be cut shorter for small wood stoves. Some tree services can provide referrals to splitting services, if needed. People who lack their own firewood can purchase mixed wood (various species) from a few tree services that collect it from jobs where wood is not wanted.

By now, firewood for this winter should have been cut, split and stacked. If firewood is to be obtained as weather begins to get cool, it will need to be "seasoned," which means that it was cut and split several months ago so it is now dry enough to burn. Firewood cut and split now will be too fresh or "green" to burn. Seasoned firewood needs to be sheltered from rain.

The chimney should be cleaned, particularly if it is a stovepipe or duct type chimney. Trees and vines should be pruned at least several feet away, and nothing should be left above the chimney.

Everyone prefers particular types of firewood. Dense hardwoods, such as oak or maple, are popular because they burn the longest. Fast-growing hardwoods, such as poplar or willow, burn fast and rot more readily if left in the woodpile more than a year. Conifers, such as pine, are generally the least desirable because they burn so rapidly and deposit more residue inside chimneys.

Flower of the Week: Japanese anemone

Trees cannot take the credit for all fall color. In the partial shade of these trees, foliage of Japanese anemone, Anemone hybrida, can be just as colorful after a summer of white or pale pink flowers. It may be somewhat sensitive when first planted, but thrives and spreads without much care when established.

Large clumps can be propagated by division after the leaves fall off to the end of winter. Limber flower stalks may get as tall as three feet and may need to be staked. The lobed leaves are slightly fuzzy. Those on the flower stalks are smaller than the dense basal leaves. Japanese anemone likes rich soil and regular watering.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.