I like deadfall oak and maple, personally. Hedge (Osage Orange) burns hot and relatively smokeless if you can get it to burn. Unfortunately, a lot of times it comes down to what you can find.
You're right, Dave, when there's a choice people tend to make some poor choices. Wish I'd have paid more attention to my Dad. I grew up with a wood burning furnace, and he knew an awful lot about how to make a proper fire.