Pyrotecnics between vMC and BTW

[utakataJ6]

So, people always complain about leaving floating trees, and I'm no exception. Recently, I had the idea to burn them down. Obviously if they're too tall to mine, one cannot simply use the flint and steel... but I was under the impression that arrows could be set afire. The solution? Set up netherrack, light it, and shoot arrows through the fire to the tops of the trees. Simple, believable, and quite cool.

But when I set up a creative target range to practice this...

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...nothing. The arrows simply don't light up. I know this isn't specific to BTW, so... am I being stupid? Is it because it's creative mode? Or do I simply remember wrong, and one cannot actually create "fire arrows" regardless of how intuitive it is?

[Detritus]

It only works when shot through lava if I recall correctly.

[gftweek]

The minecraft wiki confirms that it's only lava, and also that this won't work as it doesn't ignite blocks, only entities:

Arrows shot through lava, but not fire, will catch on fire and show an appropriate animation until they pass through water. They can set other entities they hit on fire.

[Ferrus.Manus]

Only exception is that fire arrows detonate TNT (powder keg) blocks.

[DaveYanakov]

If you're looking for a creative way to nuke tree tops, try tossing a soul urn. It takes some dancing but it can be done.

[jakerman999]

Perhaps try a Fire Charge?

[mazer246]

Perhaps try a Fire Charge?

Another vanilla feature long forgotten...

[utakataJ6]

Ahhh, I completely forgot those existed. Same with fireworks, which at 1 gunpowder and 1 paper must make excellent Hardcore Spawn signal flares... or they would, but that they require brimstone which is so late in the tech tree.

Also, on a side note, according to the minecraft wiki signal flares might eventually scare wolves? That's actually a pretty neat feature when you consider the BTW implications.

[CreeperCannibal]

But one that would screw vinalla further down the hole. If FC had beated Mojang to fireworks, everything would have a good reason to fear them.
Back on topic: Fire charges are your best bet but they're brutally inacurate from a long range. Personally, I'd look at the uncut wood as leftovers to be cut later.

EDIT: Grammar

[Grass_Block]

You can do that, just with a hibachi instead of netherrrack, if I recall correctly.

[RalphKastro]

but it won't set blocks on fire