[matt87]

A very noble cause sir! Were I wearing my hat, I'd doff it to you!

Never been to Jamaica, but I've jest got back from Sri Lanka, where I visited a smithing guild village (more on this later!). There were two local species of wood the smiths preferred to use, but when they couldn't get it (or when the forest rangers were looking) they had to use charcoal from the coconut tree. It works, but is not preferable. I think the general criteria for suitable wood are that there is a lot of it, it's fairly seasoned, and that it has a low wet/dry weight differential.

Don't forget to find out about the local scrap steel availability! Could be embarasing... ;-)