Do people here buy or process their own wood?

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How many process their own wood supply?

  • I buy cut rounds and split it myself.

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In my short 4 years burning wood I have only bought one full cord of seasoned firewood. the rest has all been a combination of scrounges, wood off my land and tree service log loads delivered at 90$ a cord. I only have about 3 acres of woods and I dont want to completely clear it so I will either have to start scrounging more or buying more log loads in the future. There is also a guy around here that will cut down trees on his acreage and let you come buck it up and haul it away at 55$ a cord. Not sure if thats worth the money if i can get logs delievered at 90$ a cord and save the fuel, time and wear and tear on my truck.
 
Personally it doesn't matter how a man gets his wood . . . whether he has his (or her) own wood lot, scounges, buys tree length and processes it, buys it all CSD or a combination of the above . . . and to judge a person or rate them as being better than another based solely on how they get their fuel . . . crazy.

Now to answer the question . . . I had access to the family wood lot . . . now I access my own small lot and take down dead or dying trees on my own home lot, occasionally get friends who ask me to take wood in exchange for helping them to take down a tree or two and in the future have been told by a co-worker that I can access his land and cut down wood alongside the field for free. That said, I may also purchase a load of tree-length wood at some point if need be -- reducing some time and danger to myself as I get older.

I think for every person it's an individual choice where one weighs how much time they have and what they have for resources in terms of man-power, tools, etc. and balance that out against the cost of the conventional fuel they would need to provide the same amount of heat. For some folks convenience, time savings and the fact that they don't have to buy extra tools may mean CSD is a good deal . . . others may opt for the tree length and others may feel that going to the woods or scrounging is the way to go . . . truth is . . .there is no right or wrong way to get your fuel source.
 
I have 10 cords scrounged since just I started collecting a year ago. There is a cord of oak down in a drainage ditch in the form of a large 3' across by 20' tree trunk I have my eye on. Seems just about every week people are giving wood away on craigslist. Just last weekend I took a look at 11pm. Someone posted free oak with the address. It wasn't far so I went and got it. It was fresh cut oak in big heavy rounds. Another scrounger came along and we split what was about a cord. I could only haul half of it anyway, it would surely be gone when I got back, and I got a hand lifting the heavy rounds into my truck.
 
I got log length delivered this year. Started to cut, split (by hand) and stack on September 1st and I am about halfway there. Should have 8 cords done by Halloween. Not sure if anyone mentioned the therapeutic benefit of processing by hand. While cutting, splitting and stacking I have planned how to construct our new bedroom, where and how to build a new outdoor shed and how to get back at my neighbor for parking that ugly-ass camper on the property line.
 
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Personally it doesn't matter how a man gets his wood . . . whether he has his (or her) own wood lot, scounges, buys tree length and processes it, buys it all CSD or a combination of the above . . . and to judge a person or rate them as being better than another based solely on how they get their fuel . . . crazy.

Now to answer the question . . . I had access to the family wood lot . . . now I access my own small lot and take down dead or dying trees on my own home lot, occasionally get friends who ask me to take wood in exchange for helping them to take down a tree or two and in the future have been told by a co-worker that I can access his land and cut down wood alongside the field for free. That said, I may also purchase a load of tree-length wood at some point if need be -- reducing some time and danger to myself as I get older.

I think for every person it's an individual choice where one weighs how much time they have and what they have for resources in terms of man-power, tools, etc. and balance that out against the cost of the conventional fuel they would need to provide the same amount of heat. For some folks convenience, time savings and the fact that they don't have to buy extra tools may mean CSD is a good deal . . . others may opt for the tree length and others may feel that going to the woods or scrounging is the way to go . . . truth is . . .there is no right or wrong way to get your fuel source.
Well said Jake! These are my sentiments exactly! I looks at it this way, I put my money in the little guys pocket not the rich oil companies, I am heating with a renewable resource, I have a sense of independence , I can heat and eat with wood, we stay much warmer than we do with oil and I save loads of money even though I spend $555.00 per year! Kinda reminds me of the attitude some Harley riders gave me because I rode a Honda Shadow ACE 750.. What matters is we all ride with the breeze between our knees!

Ray
 
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It is a lot easier processing my own now that I am a few years ahead with my wood supply. Thanks to the advice of some good folks here.
I am never in any hurry, and the wood always seems to come in. Neighbor across the street is having 5 med - large oaks removed and does not want the wood. Thank you another years supply :)
 
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I'm trying to win him over. Right now, he thinks the new stove will be cake, since he's grown up burning wood. So, so far, he's not willing to dip his toe in to a new forum :) I'm sure it's only a matter of time
Can't say that I blame him as this forum a whirlpool from which one can never escape! It is too late for you as you're already in the vortex! This forum is the Bermuda Triangle of the internet.. :) Oh and welcome to the forum!

Ray
 
I'm trying to win him over. Right now, he thinks the new stove will be cake, since he's grown up burning wood. So, so far, he's not willing to dip his toe in to a new forum :) I'm sure it's only a matter of time

If you're running an EPA stove and all he has ever run is an older stove he may well find that the new stoves are "no good" and "don't put out heat like the old stoves" . . . at least until you can educate him into how to run the stove the right way with well seasoned wood, getting it hot enough (using thermometers) and then turning down the air control to get the secondaries going (or switching over to the cat if this is a cat stove.)

Some of us guys can be pretty stubborn sometimes and think we know how to do something . . . which is sometimes true . . . and sometimes not true. My best advice is to let him experiment and if and when he starts to say something about the glass smoking up, not getting enough heat, etc. then you can gently re-educate him . . . often by showing him what to do and letting him "discover" the right way to run the stove. Try to be easy on him! :) ;)
 
A new forum member made a remark on one of my recent posts that one should not BUY their wood but do it all themselves. Personally I have no issue with anyone who does it themselves or buys their wood. To me what matters is that we all burn wood here or want to and some also burn pellets. Those of you who do all of your own firewood know that this doesn't come cheaply either considering time, equipment cost, maintenance of that equipment and fuel to operate it. Factor in a vehicle if you need to transport the wood and the cost goes even higher. I do like to do some of my own wood but prefer to pay for what I know I will be burning and the rest is just gravy.

Ray

And I will tell that forum member that they are wrong. Very, very wrong.

I buy all my wood and will continue to do so. Runs me about $1000 per winter for bought cut/split/delivered wood versus $4500-6500 for oil. Simple math tells me I'm saving quite a bit.

I do not have time to scrounge 8 cord of wood a year + processing every year.

The property does not allow for the delivery of 8 cord of uncut logs. Plus, if I were to buy 8 cord of uncut logs + processing and equipment and maintenance, it would cost me more than just having the wood delivered.
 
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And I will tell that forum member that they are wrong. Very, very wrong.

I buy all my wood and will continue to do so. Runs me about $1000 per winter for bought cut/split/delivered wood versus $4500-6500 for oil. Simple math tells me I'm saving quite a bit.

I do not have time to scrounge 8 cord of wood a year + processing every year.

The property does not allow for the delivery of 8 cord of uncut logs. Plus, if I were to buy 8 cord of uncut logs + processing and equipment and maintenance, it would cost me more than just having the wood delivered.
I hear you loud and clear BB! While I understand those who do all their own wood I also know it's good to have a wood guy that you can rely on and I am in that situation now and several others here have used him per my advice. Even if I have "enough" wood I still buy 3 cords from this gentleman as I know he takes good care of me and he can rely on my business. In fact he tends to give me closer to 4 cords as payment for my loyalty and giving him good customers. To me this is a win-win situation and I have not used another wood guy in the last 4 yrs. When I call him he knows who he is talking to and we shoot the breeze every time. Once in a while I do get some free wood but I will remain loyal to those who are loyal to me.. Thanks for chiming in BB it is good to know I am not alone! :)
Ray
 
I hear you loud and clear BB! While I understand those who do all their own wood I also know it's good to have a wood guy that you can rely on and I am in that situation now and several others here have used him per my advice. Even if I have "enough" wood I still buy 3 cords from this gentleman as I know he takes good care of me and he can rely on my business. In fact he tends to give me closer to 4 cords as payment for my loyalty and giving him good customers. To me this is a win-win situation and I have not used another wood guy in the last 4 yrs. When I call him he knows who he is talking to and we shoot the breeze every time. Once in a while I do get some free wood but I will remain loyal to those who are loyal to me.. Thanks for chiming in BB it is good to know I am not alone! :)
Ray
It took a few years, but I, too, finally found a reliable supplier. It is oddly difficult to find someone that belives that you actually want 10 cord of wood delivered every year for the next several years.

I have 16 cord right now. About 8 of it is 2-3 years old. Next year I will have 18 cord on hand, then 20, and it will increase by 2 cord each year until I have a three year supply.
 
Yup it took me a long time to find a wood guy that I could trust and my loyalty has paid dividends! I still like to do some myself on occasion but it is reassuring to know this years wood is dry and ready to go.. Next years wood is stacked outside and will be moved into the shelter with what is left from this year for next year..

Ray
 
I buy my wood from the wood dealer to warm my home. The money I give him keeps him and his family warm.

I will cut and split a scrounge, stormfall, and sometimes some of those big huggers that come with the delivery.
 
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I buy my wood from the wood dealer to warm my home. The money I give him keeps him and his family warm.

I will cut and split a scrounge, stormfall, and sometimes some of those big huggers that come with the delivery.
I share your sentiments on this matter FB.. I too like to do some myself but also like the security knowing I have a reliable source for wood that I can count on..

Ray
 
We get as much as possible from friends and family dead fall or dying trees mostly. We also buy if we have to luckily that has not been necessary for this years supply. I did start setting a little bit aside each month as a firewood reserve fund just in case some body steals our wood supply again or I get injured and cant css anymore. There really is nothing wrong with css or buying its just a preference or ability issue.
Pete
 
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I do NOT PAY for my firewood, but rather I GET PAID for cutting it! I love getting paid to heat my house! Having a tree-removal gig on the side has it's perks, but it's a lot of responsibility, not to mention hard work. But I love to cut.......


100% Scrounged and like Scotty, and alot is paid for by cutting it and removing it.

My neighbor has an excavating business and majority of the wood is from his site preps/clearings.

Brought home in 10-12' lengths and stored in a little log yard here at at home. When time some is brought up by the stove house and placed on stringers where I process then stack it.

Lean years we go scrounging. I am surrounded by 100's of acres of minimal to no public access state land. 75% Sugar Maple. Lots of blowdowns. I got alot this way last year less than 1/2 mile from the house only accessible by 4 wheeler and wagon.

I have friends that buy log length. $65 a cord, 10-12 cord minimum, all 1 year old paper birch and ash. Still pretty cheap considering I was paying $60 a cord in 2001.
 
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100% scrounged.
 
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Impressive number of those who process their own wood so far, well over 80%! I suspect there are more who buy their wood C\S\D but don't frequent the wood shed as someone mentioned. The wood shed tends to be more of the do-it-yourself type of woodburner..

Ray
 
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