Finding log truck loads

[Ashful]

For 15 years, I’ve been reading people on this forum post things like, “just order a truckload of logs,” as I’ve been harvesting all my own. Well, this year I’ve gotten behind on my constant 3-4 years for the first time, with no free time to catch up, so I figured I’d just order a truckload of logs to start refilling my quickly-emptying racks.

So far, I’ve called 5 land clearing companies, and only one even bothered to return my call with a “I have no wood to sell”. The other four never responded, after leaving two messages each, over the last week.

So, where do you guys actually find these mythical log trucks?

 

[brenndatomu]

Look on FB markeplace...I see loads on there sometimes.
Also, if you have any sawmills in the area, you might wanna call them for leads too...you want to be talking to the guys driving the log trucks, which they are often independent contractors

 

[stoveliker]

I get my logs from (residential) tree companies, not land clearing ones. They're happy to get rid of them here.

Land clearing companies deal with much larger volume and may be concerned you're in it for 3 cords or so. They have a workflow to sell the logs and going out of that workflow with one truck for you may not be worth it for them, even if you'd pay more than usual for them.

So for that to have a chance, you'd have to tell them you're wanting volume, e.g. two 20 yard trucks full or so?

Residential tree companies are much more piecemeal in their workflow and thus more amenable to make an extra buck by driving to your place.
More metal in the logs though.

 

[brenndatomu]

Sign up for chip drop...but put "no chips", logs only. I know a number people that have done that and got decent wood (not like buying a log truck load, but not hateful either) and its free too....unless you want to "tip" the driver a case of cold beverage to promote a "preferred" status in the future.

Free Wood Chip Mulch from ChipDrop

Helping gardeners get free mulch. Helping arborists empty their trucks.

getchipdrop.com

 

[Eman85]

Go to an independent name brand saw shop, a Stihl or Husqvarna dealer. They will know the loggers and who would deliver a log truck load.

 

[begreen]

There are a lot listed on FB Marketplace, but I'm not sure what their delivery radius is. Locally most are north in the Arlington, Marysville area. Cle Elum?

 

[Ashful]

Land clearing companies deal with much larger volume and may be concerned you're in it for 3 cords or so.

You suffering from amnesia, @stoveliker? I wouldn't even bother buying less than full 8-cord truckloads, and would be willing to contract for two or more. Maybe that's too small, but I wouldn't think so, as long as I give them an easy spot to dump full truckloads.

I've been avoiding tree companies, since the few times I've allowed them to dump here, it's all been garbage. Crothces, crooks, branchwood. I'll happily pay more for clean straight hardwood trunks I can stack, which is why I had thought land clearing companies might be better.

Got the message tho:

1. Call local sawmill, we have one that processes miles of oak
2. Call my local pro saw shop
3. FB Marketplace. I guess I'll have to sign up for FB, after all!

Thanks!

 

[stoveliker]

I always get logs for one year. So 2 cords for me and a cord for the neighbors. With two stoves that'd be 5 cords per year for you?
My deliveries have all veen all straight and 12-36" dia here,.and majority what are asked for (oak and black locust).

Guess our tree companies are nicer than yours

 

[Ashful]

I always get logs for one year. So 2 cords for me and a cord for the neighbors. With two stoves that'd be 5 cords per year for you?

I'd managed to whittle my usage down from 10 to about 6 cords per year, getting lazy and running the oil-fired boiler more and more. Although last year was so cold I still managed to burn almost 8 cords, despite shutting down very early in the spring.

Since I still haven't installed OAKs, I've noticed running the stoves in spring pulls some pollen into the house and bothers our allergies a bit more. So I've been using spiking pollen counts in spring as a good excuse to shut down and reduce wood usage. I've bought OAK hardware, and may get around to installing this fall, but with other projects stacked up, it might get furloughed again.

My deliveries have all veen all straight and 12-36" dia here,.and majority what are asked for (oak and black locust).

Guess our tree companies are nicer than yours

Maybe just a question of which tree companies. Maybe I'll try a different one than those I've used before. I doubt I can specify species, if buying from tree companies, but that's fine... as long as it's straight and clean stuff.

 

[stoveliker]

I've had good results with three different tree companies. The issue is their timing (are they nearby and willing to drive to me), hence engaging three different companies. Who's first "gets to get rid of their logs for free"

I did get a few screws in a 3 ft Locust log (so no clear staining as in oak) and chewed up one chain - luckily it was an old chain.

Dang, 5 cords per BK in a season...

 

[Turbo89]

I've had good results with three different tree companies. The issue is their timing (are they nearby and willing to drive to me), hence engaging three different companies. Who's first "gets to get rid of their logs for free"

I did get a few screws in a 3 ft Locust log (so no clear staining as in oak) and chewed up one chain - luckily it was an old chain.

Dang, 5 cords per BK in a season...

This is the way, I have 2 reliable tree guys and a handful of less reliable tree guys. That and FB marketplace and I have more wood than I can burn, and i don’t want to sell it. I’ve been seeing lots of FB ads lately with truckloads for sale, ranging from $4-800. Right now in my area the tree guys lots are stuffed to the gills with logs.

 

[Ashful]

I've had good results with three different tree companies. The issue is their timing (are they nearby and willing to drive to me), hence engaging three different companies. Who's first "gets to get rid of their logs for free"

Your luck is better than mine. I've accepted "free" wood from tree companies, and will never do that again, because I get mostly odd bits with crotches, flares, branch wood, etc. I'm used to bringing home my own choice, pin-straight branchless trunks of oak, and really get frustrated with the garbage some tree companies have dumped on me when I've allowed them.

I thought land-clearing companies would be better, as they tend to chip everything except the mill-worthy trunks. I don't mind paying for the privelege of logs that mills might buy, but I'm clearly barking up the wrong tree(s), so far.

Dang, 5 cords per BK in a season...

I never kept a record, but I suspect the split was always closer to 7 + 3 cords. One stove is worked like a mule, while the other only gets one load per day, down to a half load per day in the shoulder seasons.

It's a good thing BK's behave well enough to run full loads wide-open throttle, as one stove often sees that treatment when it gets real cold out.

... and as everyone going way back to @Backwoods Savage predicted I would, I do seem to keep the house a little warmer each year.

 

[stoveliker]

Well, beggars (even paying ones) can't be choosers.
Here they treat me well.

 

[brenndatomu]

and as everyone going way back to @Backwoods Savage predicted I would, I do seem to keep the house a little warmer each year.

You'd need to install a couple more stoves to keep up with BS, his place is a sauna...facts...I've been there!

 

[Turbo89]

Well, beggars (even paying ones) can't be choosers.
Here they treat me well.

That second pic looks like a nice load of oak.. I’d beg for that 🤣🤣

 

[stoveliker]

First was mostly locust (and some maple). Second was red oak (and a stick of cherry).
Largest ones were 32" across. Lotsa heartwood splits from those.

 

[Highbeam]

I get my log loads from FB marketplace, or at least that's how I first get connected with my guys. Then I just call them up when I'm ready each year in the late spring. I have gotten a bit more pickey to the point where I want "saw logs" and not twisted junk, short junk, pecker poles, or rotten stuff. Just bring me big, straight, green logs. Same stuff they make lumber out of.

Here we have log trucks with long logs. 40 footers or whatever. They need to be unloaded with a grapple so only certain loggers with a self unloading ability are able to divert the loads to my place.

 

[begreen]

This one is on FB Marketplace in Media, PA

 

[james_anders209]

Call loggers near you, they always have wood this isn't fit for the mills that they sell for firewood. Your location says Philly, so Google "loggers near philadelphia pa"

I'm in Wisconsin so I couldn't tell you if any of them sell logs like that, but just keep looking. Loggers are your best bet, not land clearing companies, they mostly just chip everything

 

[Tron]

Just bring me big, straight, green logs. Same stuff they make lumber out of.

Wouldn't that be a bit of a waste? I can see the beauty of it, but normally everything that can be used to make lumber is being used for that. The shorter/crooked/whatever pieces unfit for lumber are going into firewood. At least that used to be true for the large logging companies. For local tree guys that's a different story, of course.

 

[stoveliker]

Waste or not, price will be higher for wood that could become lumber. If he's willing to pay that, I'm okay with it.
Just as I'd be okay with someone buying 2*4s to burn.
Not my choice but...

 

[weee123]

FB marketplace has always been good when I wasn’t going to my backyard or my buddy’s house for wood. There’s always an at least one ad up with free wood and i would just show up cut the straight stuff up and leave the junk.

 

[Tron]

When we had the drought/pine beetle disaster in 2023, you found lots of lots of ads like "if you cut it down, you can have it". Not many takers, obviously.
We had to cut down 100+ large pines anywhere from 10-30" diameter on our property, with still a few remaining we haven't gotten around to, so I'm currently sitting on 50+ cords of stacked pine logs. To my calculation, that'll last us the next 20 years. Whether any of that will still be usable in 20 years (currently stacked off the ground and covered with a tarp), who knows?

 

[begreen]

My firewood this year is from a wildfire cleanup site.

 

[bigealta]

My firewood this year is from a wildfire cleanup site.

What's the moisuture content?