I Pay For Most Scores

drz1050 said:

I work in semiconductors.. we share the same sentiments

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I spend all week in front of a computer, so I also look forward to weekends doing manual labor. (Well, the cutting and splitting. Hate the stacking.) I suppose those that do manual labor all week might have a slightly different perspective.

I used to scour the craigslist ads and grab pickup loads whenever I could. But then I found a nearby tree service that will bring me all I can handle for free, and that saves me a lot of time (and lifting). Lately they've even let me name my species, yesterday I came home to a fresh load of black locust competing for space with the previous load of oak in my (now filled) driveway. They've also brought me 10' lengths for milling in the past. DC is a scrounger's dream, so much more wood than wood burners so the marginal value is actually negative due to disposal fees. Contrast with the UP of MI, where I'm from and where everybody burns; it's almost all forest but good luck getting any for free. (Legally, anyway.)

I 100% scrounge. Here are some reasons why:

1) I love burning free wood.
In my case, even with an EPA stove it's not economical to purchase firewood as opposed to fossil fuel heat; but very economical when the wood is free.

2) I love the wood pile.
I love my wife and kids even more, of coarse. But the wood pile is my man cave. A saw and a splitting axe can make a good workout without the gym.

3) Meeting new people.
Every encounter is different, and meeting the people that have the wood, along with their personalities can be a fun adventure.

4) Free wood isn't hard to find.
I've never had trouble finding free wood. When I get "full", I quit looking, then look again when I'm getting low.

Now granted, my 'free' wood isn't the prettiest. The price for scrounging is usually odd shaped splits, crooked rounds that won't split, short splits, short rounds, mixed hardwoods with softwoods, etc. But it all burns the same. And in the end, it's not really free. There is work involved, usually more cutting, splitting, hauling, and stacking. Did I say work? I meant FUN

I've gotten almost all of my wood in the past eight years from scrounging, barter or sawmill waste. Also have downed quite a few trees in my yard, or had wood given to me. I have spoken to a couple of tree services this past week, asking for anything they have. I made it clear that they can use my wood processing area for a log dump. Any species, any size. Will also take wood chips. I draw the line at rotten wood and stumps, although even the rotten stuff has been finding its' way into garden beds (google "hugelkultur"). I enjoy cutting and splitting and I have really never been "ahead" of the season with my wood stockpile. Hoping to get that way soon.