Free firewood

[Jane11]

Hello,
I usually buy firewood but it’s getting so expensive. I had an idea on how to get free firewood and wanted opinions on whether they know if people have done this before.

I have a tree guy who I’ve gotten 20 loads of wood chips for my garden and flower beds from. I was thinking of buying a hydrolic wood splitter and then when he has a tree that he is taking down (as a job) he could cut the wood into 16”-20” pieces. Then I could come in the next day and split it and take it home to cure for our use in the winter. I’d only need 1-3 trees if that and it would save me lots of money. Also, I’m a farm girl and have done this before so im fully aware of the work involved.

Do tree guys ever do this?

 

[kborndale]

Lots of us get wood from tree guys, by me tree guys have to pay to dispose of trees so they want to give it away. Many post on Craigslist offering free rounds of firewood. Just keep in mind that hardwoods take at a minimum 1 year after you split it to be ready to burn. Some species like oak can take up to 3 years to be ready to burn. Softwoods can be split in spring and be burnt that winter.

 

[Dix]

Yes they do!!

I have guys who will drop it off to me, saves them the disposal fees!!

Doesn't hurt to ask!

Welcome to the Forums, always nice to see another Sistah here

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, become a wood addict 😀

But do make space,. off the ground, to stack enough wood for two years (better three...). That's a lot of wood..10 trees ..

You'll be so much happier with how it burns.

This does involve a LOT of work to "get ahead", so be prepared.

If you get pine or fir for the next season (25/26), cherry and maple for the year after that, and oak or what you can get for the year after, you'll be happy much sooner than if you stack oak for 25/26... This is because drying times increase with the species mentioned above.

 

[NickW]

In my experience it is more likely to get log drops rather than cut to length, but a farm girl should have no problem with running a chainsaw with a little training...

Depending on how much you burn in a season it won't take long to recoup the cost of a chainsaw, some safety equipment and a splitter.

Ditto to getting a couple of years ahead on the wood supply.

 

[30WCF]

I can get a load dropped off occasionally. Other than that, I just look around as I drive. Most folks are happy for you to ask if you can clean up a downed tree. Now, I actually clean it up and haul the limbs into the woods or wherever they want.
I’ve never paid for wood except for the occasional gas station bundle while camping.

 

[MongoMongoson]

I have had a couple of different tree services drop logs at my place. The wood is not always the best (mixed hard and soft woods, or stuff big and gnarly that is a pain for them to deal with). The tree services here also sell firewood, so they keep the best and easiest to process for themselves. But what I get is free and it saves me having to go get it. I have scored some excellent wood from them with some drops, as well.

I made a Facebook account only for use on Marketplace so I can find free wood. I used to run and get it, but if I can get it dropped at my house, that saves wear and tear on my back, truck and trailer. Marketplace is where I found the tree services. They advertise looking for places to drop logs.

If you watch Marketplace, there are often random people looking for someone to come and take the wood out of their yard, and it is often even cut to length. One woman, 8 minutes from my house, gave me 2-3 years worth of elm (mostly red elm) one summer.

A good cant hook is a really wonderful tool to have if you need to move big rounds or logs. I use it to help me get big rounds on the trailer, roll big logs while bucking, or when moving really big rounds under the splitter when it is in the vertical orientation. I try to be more careful with my back now that I am old enough to be smart about it. I have the Peavey 4-footer. When someone asks you what you want for Christmas... cant hook.

Cant Hook(30" to 66")

This Cant Hook is fitted with a quality hardwood handle, 2 3/8" in diameter which gives it maximum strength.

peaveymfg.com

 

[MRD1985]

Facebook marketplace is also your friend.

Most of my wood I got for little or no cost other than my time and fuel/oil.

 

[Jane11]

Yes they do!!

I have guys who will drop it off to me, saves them the disposal fees!!

Doesn't hurt to ask!

Welcome to the Forums, always nice to see another Sistah here

🙌🏻 thanks, Sistah! 😀

 

[Jane11]

Facebook marketplace is also your friend.

Most of my wood I got for little or no cost other than my time and fuel/oil.

In my area, right now, there isn’t much. Plus I was thinking for late spring/summer since I homeschool during the day through winter and have no time to do the work. Plus I work some evenings. I’ll keep an eye out but a few of the posts are an hour or more away. Not advantages for having to drive many loads back home.

 

[ericm979]

In my experience it is more likely to get log drops rather than cut to length,

In my area of California the tree crews cut logs into rounds and lift them by hand into the back of the chipper truck. Hardly anyone wants wood so they usually heft them into the chipper if they don't leave them on the ground. The tree crews here are terrible about making consistent rounds. Some of them cut logs 3 feet long and at a 45 degree angle!

 

[djlew]

I'm always on the lookout for stuff on the side of the road. If you have the ability to keep your eyes peeled you might be surprised at how much stuff gets left behind by tree guys! Obviously take care of private property. Personally, the best luck I've had was finding that side of the road stuff, and if it was on somebody's property, asking them if they had any plans with it. I hate talking to people usually, but if you get the right person you may be able to cut a deal and go halves with some other folks in your area who burn. In reality though, a lot of tree guys will do what you're suggesting, so it's worth an ask! My neighbor does this exact thing and I've gone halves with him.

 

[Jane11]

Lots of us get wood from tree guys, by me tree guys have to pay to dispose of trees so they want to give it away. Many post on Craigslist offering free rounds of firewood. Just keep in mind that hardwoods take at a minimum 1 year after you split it to be ready to burn. Some species like oak can take up to 3 years to be ready to burn. Softwoods can be split in spring and be burnt that winter.

Yes, I am aware of cure time. Thanks!!

 

[Jane11]

Yes, become a wood addict 😀

But do make space,. off the ground, to stack enough wood for two years (better three...). That's a lot of wood..10 trees ..

You'll be so much happier with how it burns.

This does involve a LOT of work to "get ahead", so be prepared.

If you get pine or fir for the next season (25/26), cherry and maple for the year after that, and oak or what you can get for the year after, you'll be happy much sooner than if you stack oak for 25/26... This is because drying times increase with the species mentioned above.

Thanks so much!