Got me a wood thief!

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
I don't talk to that neighbor much... but I will ask them to keep their eyes open because someone has stolen some wood from me.
and to think I just had a guy with a stump grinder come to do all my stumps and I even had them do 2 stumps that were near the property line but on their side.
 
Gasifier said:
Oh, when are you going to stop running with that chain saw man? That is freaking me out! Didn't your mother ever tell you........ :lol:
Click to expand...

I'm a scrouger... If I don't run someone else will get it!
Don't worry chain break is on!
 
You could just go take it back too.

But since its probably been burnt you'll have to cut a tree down in their front yard to get it. Probably have to take twice as much to account for shrinkage during the seasoning process.
 
Take 8-10 unsplit pieces to the suspects house and leave them there. Unless they are complete Cretins they will get the point
 
Find a way to secure your wood pile. Maybe by a motion light or something. I wouldnt accuse them, because the only thing worse than a neighbor who steals your wood is one who wont admit he did and will be the worst neighbor anyone could have.
 
lukem said:
Just go talk to them. They will either be up front and apologize or deny it. Either way they will know that you know...and the problem will probably go away.


If they get crappy and/or it happens again, call the fuzz.
Click to expand...

+1
They're neighbors. Help them be good ones. :)
 
Backwoods Savage said:
I've always thought it best to let neighbors know you are very upset about theives and that some low-down bugger has stole some of your wood. Many times they will apologize on the spot and that can make for some interesting conversation right then! Do nothing and it will only get worse. Do something and at least it has a chance of getting better.

I'm also one who really does not want to start any bad feelings between neighbors but also feel neighbors need to know how strongly I feel about stealing....and that is exactly what it was.
Click to expand...

Dan and Dennis are right.... you can let them know you noticed without actually accusing them - I believe this is the way to go. Take the high road, and stop the pilfering at the same time.
 
we've gone over this before, but....make a small stack in a location that is exceptionally convenient for them to take from. close to the property line, road, whatever. Buy yourself some stuff called Liquid Ass; yes, it exists, and it smells a million times worse than the title. Cut a split in half, hollow it out enough for the bottle of Liquid ass, and clue the split back together. When they steal it and burn it, voila!
 
Depending on how far your splits are located from your house, there is a little device called Driveway Alert or Driveway Patrol. This is a small transmitter that works similar to a motion sensor light, can transmit up to 300' away, and a single 9v battery will last for months. There is a receiver you can plug into an outlet in your house. Set the transmitter up near the missing splits. When they come around or reach to get it, it will alert you in the house with a doorbell sound for as long as there is motion. You can then go out and invite them over for your next splitting adventure. http://www.harborfreight.com/wireless-driveway-alert-system-93068.html
 
richg said:
we've gone over this before, but....make a small stack in a location that is exceptionally convenient for them to take from. close to the property line, road, whatever. Buy yourself some stuff called Liquid Ass; yes, it exists, and it smells a million times worse than the title. Cut a split in half, hollow it out enough for the bottle of Liquid ass, and clue the split back together. When they steal it and burn it, voila!
Click to expand...

Richg

You are nasty ... But I like it :)

I have had neighbors say that they would steal some, but none have. They think I have too much. I think I don't I have enough.
 
wannabegreener said:
I think I don't I have enough.
Click to expand...

You can never have enough, well at least thats how I look at it.

Shawn
 
if you have a log splitter ,take a hammer and chissel and make some marks in the non moving end spuds or maybe weld a small brand on the end..when or if you notice wood missing and think you know of its where abouts ,the marks in end of the wood will tell the story...got proof then the next time....
 
Man, guess I am the only person that would wait until the neighbors are out in their yard, set up my archery targets and begin practicing from a tree stand in the back yard. Then walk over to the neighbor and state "You are never going to believe this, but someone stole some wood from me! Well, I am going to be certain that this will never happen again".
Message sent.
 
Whassamatta here? Nobody knows how to set trip-wires and tin-cans, or light explosives? Ever hear about the yankee that bored holes in some splits, poured in black powder, and plugged the holes? Spark shower out flue is a give-away. Just mark them carefully. Det-cord could work. :eek:hh:

Motion sensors with directional floodlights are also simple and effective. Rats eschew bright lights.
 
Well Bubba, end up doing anything yet?

pen
 
Take the high road . . . and give them a chance to come clean . . . or at least a chance to swiften up and fly right in the future. A feud with a neighbor is a battle where everyone loses . . .
 
Had a similar situation about a year and a half ago. Actually the wood theft was the last straw after a long string of them taking advantage of my generosity.
I put up a security light that lit up my stacking area and a sliver of light would hit their firepit area. All hell broke loose over the light, they complained to the city and tried to block access to the rear of my property (by blocking the alley). I won on the alley issue the but light had to be turned off. I ended up with 4 security cameras watching my property and the wood seems to pretty much stay in place... I say pretty much because somedays I think the piles have shrunk just a little too much. The cameras have never caught them, but they're not real effective at night. Over this last weekend they had two large bonfires and I never saw any wood in their stack earlier in the week and they always seem to burn till every last piece is gone.... Keep wondering if it's my wood... If they've gotten smart enough to pull a piece here and there from the tops along my 121' long stacks I'd prolly never notice :-(

I've been trying to find a way to mark those top splits so I'll know if some are missing, but not be so obvious that they'll figure it out..... this is the sh** you think about when you have bad neighbors..
 
pen said:
Well Bubba, end up doing anything yet?

pen
Click to expand...

I haven't seen them yet. But I am definetly going to let them know that someone has stolen some wood from my piles and ask them to keep their eyes open to help me catch the one taking it. They do have a bunch of kids and it very well could have been one of them. But for now I did buy a motion light to direct to the wood piles.
 
richg said:
we've gone over this before, but....make a small stack in a location that is exceptionally convenient for them to take from. close to the property line, road, whatever. Buy yourself some stuff called Liquid Ass; yes, it exists, and it smells a million times worse than the title. Cut a split in half, hollow it out enough for the bottle of Liquid ass, and clue the split back together. When they steal it and burn it, voila!
Click to expand...

I really don't think that this would work in a wood furnance or a stove. I guess the neighbors would smell the smoke outside. Is that the point?
 
I'd bore a few holes in the wood and pour some "Dave's Insanity Sauce" in them then fill it over with wood putty. When they burn it, it will fill their room, or depending on the amount, house with a pepper gas.


Orrr, causally tell your neighbor that your worried about your wood pile as you just found out that the road commission informed you that where you got your wood from was sprayed with a special insecticide and is harmful when burned and inhaled. It has been known to cause cancer............... If he's dumb enough, he just might panic. That for me is justice enough.

I'm a vindictive prick.
 
firefighterjake said:
Take the high road . . . and give them a chance to come clean . . . or at least a chance to swiften up and fly right in the future. A feud with a neighbor is a battle where everyone loses . . .
Click to expand...

Wise advice firefighter. Wise advice.
 
sheepdog000 said:
I'd bore a few holes in the wood and pour some "Dave's Insanity Sauce" in them then fill it over with wood putty. When they burn it, it will fill their room, or depending on the amount, house with a pepper gas.


Orrr, causally tell your neighbor that your worried about your wood pile as you just found out that the road commission informed you that where you got your wood from was sprayed with a special insecticide and is harmful when burned and inhaled. It has been known to cause cancer............... If he's dumb enough, he just might panic. That for me is justice enough.

I'm a vindictive prick.
Click to expand...

While I like the idea of getting the neighbor "on board" by asking him to help you watch out for the thief, which should get him to stop taking your wood, I really like the idea in the quote above. Make the a$$ worry a little. Throw in references to asbestos. Hype it up. At the very least, this really made me laugh hard.
 
3fordasho said:
Had a similar situation about a year and a half ago. Actually the wood theft was the last straw after a long string of them taking advantage of my generosity.
I put up a security light that lit up my stacking area and a sliver of light would hit their firepit area. All hell broke loose over the light, they complained to the city and tried to block access to the rear of my property (by blocking the alley). I won on the alley issue the but light had to be turned off. I ended up with 4 security cameras watching my property and the wood seems to pretty much stay in place... I say pretty much because somedays I think the piles have shrunk just a little too much. The cameras have never caught them, but they're not real effective at night. Over this last weekend they had two large bonfires and I never saw any wood in their stack earlier in the week and they always seem to burn till every last piece is gone.... Keep wondering if it's my wood... If they've gotten smart enough to pull a piece here and there from the tops along my 121' long stacks I'd prolly never notice :-(

I've been trying to find a way to mark those top splits so I'll know if some are missing, but not be so obvious that they'll figure it out..... this is the sh** you think about when you have bad neighbors..
Click to expand...

Brand the wood with a special hammer that will leave a unique mark in the end grain. You can likely make a hammer pretty easily with a hammer and grinder, or a hammer and welder... or even a hammer and dremel tool...

Then lightly brand all of the pieces on the top row and see if they disaappear.

Or, take pictures of the top row so you can go back and referrence exactly what pieces of wood were in what location. Then periodically check the stacks vs. the pictures to see if pieces are missing...

Or just lightly paint the pieces on the top row one color, and the 2nd row another color. If the 1st color slowly disappears, and you're left with the 2nd color being your top row then you know what it happening...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

MegoryInVermont
green wood delivery on snow-covered lawn
Replies
8
Views
909
The Wood Shed
MegoryInVermont
MegoryInVermont
N
Ants and punky wood - now what?
Replies
4
Views
439
The Wood Shed
NiftyB
N
H
Wood moisture content
Replies
10
Views
1K
The Wood Shed
NickW
N
P
Dry covered wood worth the trouble
Replies
20
Views
2K
The Wood Shed
blades
blades
M
Holz hausen - sort of
Replies
9
Views
755
The Wood Shed
mynx
M
Top Bottom
Back