View Full Version : Best time to cut firewood
tmjohnson
03-03-2014, 19:44
I am tired of paying for firewood and would like to know when is the best time to cut.
I read on the forest service site that you pay them 20 dollars a cord to cut on public forest.
I only have a 2 wheel drive truck so can anybody tell me where to cut.
Any other information would be helpful. I have enough wood to last this winter, just getting a jump on next year.
I don't know if this helps, but the word in Michigan when I was unfortunately living there for 20 years, was "cut it in Winter, and it warms you twice". The other advantage is that when the wood is really cold, it splits a lot easier.
And $20 a cord? That is a LOT of wood! That's a bargain.
SideShow Bob
03-03-2014, 19:55
First off get a trailer to make it worth the trip. Cut as early as possible to be able to let it season before winter or go for the older bettle kill trees if you need to use it right away.
As to where and how on the public lands I don't know about. I haven't had a real wood burning fireplace for several years. When I did, I was always scavenging construction sites, chainsaw went to work with me every day and I would stick around after work and cut a truck load when and where possible. Of course these were sites where the company had jobs going on.
Doesn't matter when you cut the wood, so long as you season it for long enough. So the answer is, "cut early and cut often."
Holger Danske
03-03-2014, 20:28
Early afternoon is the best time to cut wood. j/k.
As a kid my dad heated primarily by wood. we would lay in six cords or so a year. As mentioned get a trailer that can hold a cord. We pulled wood out of the natl forest in western Colorado on permit. Find a large dead tree that isnt too far from the trailer. Cut the tree down and cut it to lenghts that will fit your stove. Carry to trailer stack and repeat. If you have kids take them along the work builds "character.". When you get it home split it and stack it to season before the winter.
funkymonkey1111
03-03-2014, 20:30
pine will season in 30 days here. cut it whenever you want. if you look on craiglist you will often see folks wanting to get rid of beetle kill wood--all you need to do is go get it.
When I had a fireplace I went on craigslist and got free/cheap wood. Found one that the trees were down from wind, I just had to help cut them into pieces and haul away for free. They got the trees removed and I got firewood. Though for $20 a cord, I wish I had a pickup again to go grab some and keep extra around for SHTF stock.
Depends on where you get the permit. I can tell you it's a lot of work. I use to go up to Fraser because they would cut the logs into 4ft sections. Saved a ton of time.
When my wife had the cancer I was going through 8-9 cords a year. I'm burned out on splitting wood.. Lol
I got a 6x10 trailer that helped out loading and unloading.
When you run out of wood, you get cold
When you get cold, you panic.
When you panic, you overload your truck.
Don't overload your truck.
Get a trailerhttp://i.ytimg.com/vi/ENtmpNCW17g/0.jpg
would like to know when is the best time to cut
When the saw has oil, gas, and a sharp blade.
-not meant as a flippant response, I'd happily fire up the Stihl if you were local.
When you run out of wood, you get cold
When you get cold, you panic.
When you panic, you overload your truck.
Don't overload your truck.
Get a trailerhttp://i.ytimg.com/vi/ENtmpNCW17g/0.jpg
True dat!
One of the only times I've gone out into the forest to cut wood was with Sixgun.
One of the only times I've gone out into the forest to cut wood was with Sixgun.
That was some of the easiest cuttin and best time cuttin wood I've ever had. Lol
funkymonkey1111
03-03-2014, 23:05
from time to time the craigslist folks will advertise drive up wood gathering. i've always figured you could rent an uhaul open topped trailer and get most of the wood you needed in one trip (assuming you're burning for ambiance and not going through 8-9 cords a year)
Great-Kazoo
03-03-2014, 23:08
Local and cheap wood. pallets / skids. Outside of pulling nails, they are Oak. I miss bucking wood. Went out with the neighbor and his dad one year. 3 saws cutting to 6" lengths 1/2 day, other 1/2 loading and dumping.
hghclsswhitetrsh
03-03-2014, 23:33
If you could figure out logistics from southeast kansas to you, my brother sells oak and hedge fire wood for $60-70 a rick.
Don't burn plywood inside. Probably not outside either.
hghclsswhitetrsh
03-03-2014, 23:40
Don't burn plywood inside. Probably not outside either.
Plywood is ok. Particle board no ok.
Plywood is ok. Particle board no ok.
Plywood has the glue right? Where regular "sparks" will come out of the chimney and be gone within a few inches of exiting. Plywood "sparks" will fly out, float around in the air, and still be burning as they settle on the ground. If you have a baffle you'd probably be okay.
GilpinGuy
03-04-2014, 00:09
I heat my house 100% with wood. We cut all year, for the most part, but if you get a live tree down in the spring it might be ok that winter. 30 days seems a bit short to me. I usually go for the standing dead though. Cut, split, and burn. If you're going into the NF, you should be able to find plenty of standing dead. I plan on doing this myself since I've cut all of the dead stuff on my property. $20 a cord is a steal, as long as you can get to some good wood that's not a PITA to get to.
Bailey Guns
03-04-2014, 08:10
CL is your friend, as others have said. We have no method of heating other than wood since we pulled the old boiler/air handler out last year so I process all of our firewood. I've never paid for wood, either. Other folks are always willing to give it away for free for one reason or another as long as you provide the labor of cutting/removing from their property.
Keep your eyes on local forums, CL, etc... You can find all the free wood you need.
If you don't have the saws and equipment, that can be a bit of an initial investment but a good saw will pay for itself quickly. Don't go low end on a saw, either. Buy a good one like a Stihl or Husky (Husqvarna) and learn how to use them safely. Chains make a big difference, too. Learn the difference between the types of chains available. As with anything else there is more information than you could ever need online with some of the wood cutting forums...just search around and you'll find the best ones.
Cutting wood with a friend or others is always a good idea. It makes the work seem easier/go faster and it's safer. A chainsaw can be pretty unforgiving if you don't use it properly...if the worst happens and you get hurt it'll definitely be a good thing to have help nearby.
My wife is actually showing an interest in learning how to use the saws and splitter. We've been out together a couple of times this year and it was fun. I get pretty nervous watching her use the saw but so far she's done fine. Fortunately we have 16 heavily treed acres and plenty of standing dead pine and aspen every year...not to mention the stuff that's on the ground already. Gathering and burning all the stuff, even the little stuff, also helps to clean up the property a little at a time.
I actually enjoy the process of cutting, blocking and splitting the wood for winter. I really enjoy not having to pay for propane or nat gas and keeping the house as warm as I want when it's cold outside.
funkymonkey1111
03-04-2014, 08:28
If you don't mind burning cottonwood and can split it, theres all the cottonwood you can burn available on CL throughout the year.
Great-Kazoo
03-04-2014, 08:34
Plywood has the glue right? Where regular "sparks" will come out of the chimney and be gone within a few inches of exiting. Plywood "sparks" will fly out, float around in the air, and still be burning as they settle on the ground. If you have a baffle you'd probably be okay.
It's not the sparks you need to worry about, It's the toxic fumes it and treated wood gives off.
eneranch
03-04-2014, 08:36
Saw this a while back
http://youtu.be/5ZQCA-mTzjs
Great-Kazoo
03-04-2014, 08:37
deal days
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/for/4341339354.html
cottonwood is good, but not on everyone's must burn list. So this is probably still available. it does chew up chain saw blades.
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/grd/4260063869.html
Cottonwood is almost impossible to split without a log splitter. You end up with about three times the ash that you would get burning pine (have to clean the stove alot more often).
funkymonkey1111
03-04-2014, 08:52
Cottonwood is almost impossible to split without a log splitter. You end up with about three times the ash that you would get burning pine (have to clean the stove alot more often).
all true. but, it's free and plentiful and burns pretty hot. perhaps it's not optimum, but it's nice for the price (again, if you have a splitter). i'm not the strongest guy in the world by a long shot, but i can split pine and maple relatively easily with a splitting axe or maul, but i've got pieces of cottonwood three years old i can't split.
Great-Kazoo
03-04-2014, 08:54
Cottonwood is almost impossible to split without a log splitter. You end up with about three times the ash that you would get burning pine (have to clean the stove alot more often).
It's doable by hand. That's what we used / use for folks who need firewood, cheap. Granted, as you say, it is much easier with a splitter.
For home use we mixed cotton with other wood when burning. Don't care for burning pine all the time.
Cottonwood is about all I burn because i get it for free. I was just trying to point out some of the disadvantages. Even free has its price.
funkymonkey1111
03-04-2014, 11:03
Cottonwood is about all I burn because i get it for free. I was just trying to point out some of the disadvantages. Even free has its price.
how long does the cottonwood take to season? I've had some over a year old that I thought was still moist. do you have a gas splitter? I've thought about one of those little electric ones (i'm just burning for ambiance at home and don't have the space for one of those giant gas splitters--but I do like to have frequent fires)
Most of the wood I get has been dead for several years. If I get green wood I usually let it age for a couple of years. I have a 27 ton gas powered troy bilt log splitter. It gets the job done but there are times when I wish I had a bigger splitter. We heat primarily with wood. About 4 cords per year.
crashdown
03-04-2014, 14:36
Cottonwood is almost impossible to split without a log splitter. You end up with about three times the ash that you would get burning pine (have to clean the stove alot more often).
But cottonwood doesn't have the creosote build up like pine.
Lot easier to dump the ash than clean the chimney.
Cottonwood needs to dry for a few years to not smell when burning too.
Splitting is a bitch, just buck it up in to smaller rounds.... I'll take cottonwood over pine any day.
I have never had cottonwood that didn't smell, regardless of age. Personaly I prefer the smell of pine, but I like the smell of free best.
Great-Kazoo
03-04-2014, 16:12
how long does the cottonwood take to season? I've had some over a year old that I thought was still moist. do you have a gas splitter? I've thought about one of those little electric ones (i'm just burning for ambiance at home and don't have the space for one of those giant gas splitters--but I do like to have frequent fires)
rent a splitter, once toy have the OAL less than 30" make a day of it. $80 later your well stacked, splitter returned and no need for storage.
SamuraiCO
03-04-2014, 16:51
One reason I miss Oregon. We cut madrone and would let it dry for a year or more. It is hard and heavy. My dad would fall a small tree or take a branch from a larger tree. Cut rounds and my bros and I would throw down the hill to the road for splitting. Hot, dirty hard work dodging poison oak the best we could. All split and loaded by hand. Was a bitch but as stated previously builds character.
It burns hot hot hot with very little ash. Would love to have a source close.
Big Wall
03-04-2014, 17:05
I cut fire wood with my Dad in Oregon as well. We would stock up 6 chords for us plus sell a few as well. I was only 12 so probably wasn't much help. My biggest job was stacking it on our truck that held a cord of wood. There was hell to pay if it wasn't stacked tight.
Old (grey) cottonwood is a pain to cut and dull chains fast. It does burn fast and hot though.
Been seeing a lot of dead willows, in old farmer's ditches, on the flats. I'd like to get a cord or two of that.
I burn pine and aspen because it's easy to get a hold of.
When to cut firewood? Before you need it.
The good thing about Aspen is you can split it with an origami axe.
BlasterBob
03-04-2014, 19:19
No mention of anyone burning cedar??[blaster]
No mention of anyone burning cedar??[blaster]
Naw. The old farts clear cut that years ago. [cigar]
SideShow Bob
03-04-2014, 20:10
If you could figure out logistics from southeast kansas to you, my brother sells oak and hedge fire wood for $60-70 a rick.
Hedge is some great stuff, just go easy with it until you see how it burns in your setup.
the first time I stoked up the free standing stove with hedge I had in KS. It and the fist two sections of pipe above were glowing red.
funkymonkey1111
03-04-2014, 20:25
One reason I miss Oregon. We cut madrone and would let it dry for a year or more. It is hard and heavy. My dad would fall a small tree or take a branch from a larger tree. Cut rounds and my bros and I would throw down the hill to the road for splitting. Hot, dirty hard work dodging poison oak the best we could. All split and loaded by hand. Was a bitch but as stated previously builds character.
It burns hot hot hot with very little ash. Would love to have a source close.
i don't know the species (and I asked the guy at the place and he didn't know either), but when i was on vacation in oregon two years ago you could have a fire on the beach with s'mores, etc (from the hotel). the wood had an amazing smell. i mean, heavenly. i don't know of it was alder or madrone or whatever, but man, it was amazing. it'd be worth it to me to drive to oregon just to get some of that stuff.
No mention of anyone burning cedar??[blaster]
Burn Cedar every year in hunting camp. If I had access to a good supply I would burn it instead of cottonwood.
GilpinGuy
03-04-2014, 23:44
When I was growing up in NY we would just let pine rot if we cut one down for whatever reason. Maple, oak, etc. is what we always burned. A bitch to split but clean and hot.
I clean my chimney 3x a year here. One a year back there. Hardwood is just too damn expensive here to buy, so pine and aspen it is.
My best source for hardwood is $300+ a cord v.s. $150 for pine.
**thought**
we should put together a firewood trip where we scavenge the uhaul flatbeds and owned trailers and head up to gray a few cords. Each pay for the forest service service fees and take out a bit of the beetle kill. We can knock out a bit of the potential summer fires and make a few additional friends..
RonMexico
03-05-2014, 06:54
Search Craigslist! A ton of tree cutting Co will place adds there listing the address,tree type and date they are cutting down the tree. I was able to score 5 bed fulls and only had to drive 2 miles each way, but bring a chainsaw!
encorehunter
03-05-2014, 07:11
As said before, the best time to cut is before you need it. I usually have two chords of pine and oak to start out winter, but the Mrs.' is making me think I should start out with 5. I have gas heater, but leave the thermostat set at 50. For hunting season, I come home every night, so I usually bring a bed full of dead oak home each night. I gather it during the day near the road, and only take what I can push over by hand. I have been tempted to take my battery sawzall, but haven't yet.
During the winter when I run low, (more and more lately) I go to the river bottom and cut/pick up gray cottonwood branches. I'll load 4-6 foot sections and take them home and cut with my chop saw. No splitting needed, and all is dry. You can't get as much per trip, but for my it is only a 2 mile drive.
The Mrs.' has a friend who runs a tree cutting business, but most of the time the wood we get from them is still wet. I cut it into short pieces, usually 12" long, then split it with a maul and sledgehammer. One of these days, I'll get my log splitter back from a friend who borrowed it 4 years ago.
As to cedar, I used to burn it. I found out this last year that it is on my allergic to list, and it one I am off the charts on. I've found when I cut cedar pickets in my garage, I usually can't get out the door fast enough before my eyes start swelling shut.
I'd be in for some wood cutting if it within a hundred or two miles. I can bring a truck and good sized trailer with side boards, should be able to fit 7-10 chords. I'd be willing to drop off chords on the way home for the guys if they don't have a way to haul, as long as there are one or two left for me.
rockhound
03-05-2014, 08:15
Lucckily i am still mitigating my acreage so i have a nice supply, but the Hi meadow and Hayman burn areas are easy access to standing dead that is easy to cut split and is already seasoned.
Best time to cut wood...anytime but July and August. It absolutely sucks to cut wood when it is hot as hell outside. Make sure you have a weight lifting belt. I burn about 7 cords a year (my only source of heat), and I get it from a variety of different places. If anybody goes up the 285 area, I can join a group for a day or weekend. I can load about 2 cords in the truck and another 3 to 4 in the trailer.
Check the farmer's almanac, there are certain days it may be better.
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