Whole lotta logs

[Beer Belly]

I'm torn on how to handle this. The electric company is clearing way for addition power lines, and have about 30 bucked logs 30-40 feet long off the side of the road (more than 4 feet, beyond...more like 6 feet). I had written them prior to the start of the project, and they emailed me stating that they offer the wood to those whose property abut the project. My property is around the corner, not abutting the project, and if nobody is on site over this holiday weekend, I was considering burning some two cycle on the logs....it's right there....it's killing me !......what are your thoughts ?....go for it ?

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

I'm torn on how to handle this. The electric company is clearing way for addition power lines, and have about 30 bucked logs 30-40 feet long off the side of the road (more than 4 feet, beyond...more like 6 feet). I had written them prior to the start of the project, and they emailed me stating that they offer the wood to those whose property abut the project. My property is around the corner, not abutting the project, and if nobody is on site over this holiday weekend, I was considering burning some two cycle on the logs....it's right there....it's killing me !......what are your thoughts ?....go for it ?

The electric company likely has an easement, which means that it's not their property, they just have the right to use it for their specific purposes. The property still belongs to the landowners, less the rights granted by the easement. If you showed up on my land under the power lines trying to steal my wood, we'd have a problem.

Just ask the landowners.

 

[Mike.O]

I'm torn on how to handle this. The electric company is clearing way for addition power lines, and have about 30 bucked logs 30-40 feet long off the side of the road (more than 4 feet, beyond...more like 6 feet). I had written them prior to the start of the project, and they emailed me stating that they offer the wood to those whose property abut the project. My property is around the corner, not abutting the project, and if nobody is on site over this holiday weekend, I was considering burning some two cycle on the logs....it's right there....it's killing me !......what are your thoughts ?....go for it ?

GO FOR IT!! Because if you don't some other guy is going to come along and do what you thinking about doing!

I'm also in CT and Eversource has contracted out Lucas Tree Co. to trim back a bunch of trees. I drive by a beautiful pile of red oaks every day about 1 mile from my house and I fight the urge to come back with my saw and my truck.

I don't need the wood right now and have additional trees planned to come down on my property in the spring so it would really be overkill for me.

I would also like to know what is actual the "rule" on that wood is. I assume it becomes the property owners wood, as it is on his property????

 

[maple1]

GO FOR IT!! Because if you don't some other guy is going to come along and do what you thinking about doing!

I'm also in CT and Eversource has contracted out Lucas Tree Co. to trim back a bunch of trees. I drive by a beautiful pile of red oaks every day about 1 mile from my house and I fight the urge to come back with my saw and my truck.

I don't need the wood right now and have additional trees planned to come down on my property in the spring so it would really be overkill for me.

I would also like to know what is actual the "rule" on that wood is. I assume it becomes the property owners wood, as it is on his property????

See EDs post.

 

[Mike.O]

See EDs post.

Yep didn't see that.

 

[Woody5506]

Most people on this forum aren't gonna recommend you break laws or steal from other property owners. My recommendation is start knocking on doors and be friendly. A lot of people would probably be happy to get rid of those logs. Where I live, wood burners are a minority, so stuff like that is considered unwanted garbage.

I could play devil's advocate though and say that if you decided to just skip all that and go rogue, just wear a hardhat and some reflective clothing to make yourself look official. Nobody would be the wiser.

 

[Tar12]

It is not yours and the rules have been explained to you.To not ask and do otherwise would make you nothing more than a common thief.

 

[Beer Belly]

Yeah, guess I'll knock on the door of the closest house, although it is not on their property, they do abut it. They just closed on the house, and not even sure they moved in yet. I did ask one of the site managers last week, and he said "I can't give you permission, but also can't do anything about what I don't see....as a matter of fact, we never had this conversation". I do have the email giving abutted property owners permission, so I'm not far off....their yard is just behind mine, If I get permission from the nearest property (who has a right as per email), and someone shows up, I doubt anyone would press charges. Just torn because I really don't think it would be an issue, but with my luck.............

 

[blades]

Oh you have that kind also, Thought I was the only one. Like 15 cars in the lot and mine is the one ripped off ( the whole car). then there are the wood fairy thieves and other degenerates.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

Yeah, guess I'll knock on the door of the closest house, although it is not on their property, they do abut it. They just closed on the house, and not even sure they moved in yet. I did ask one of the site managers last week, and he said "I can't give you permission, but also can't do anything about what I don't see....as a matter of fact, we never had this conversation". I do have the email giving abutted property owners permission, so I'm not far off....their yard is just behind mine, If I get permission from the nearest property (who has a right as per email), and someone shows up, I doubt anyone would press charges. Just torn because I really don't think it would be an issue, but with my luck.............

I understand, feels like a waste not to get it.

And, I bet only 2 or 3 out of 100 would care. But, if it were on your land, and someone you don't know showed up and started cutting and taking, you'd likely feel violated at least, or, very angry. Real easy to solve this dilemma, just ask. If they heat with wood, or are just not nice, they'll say no. If they are good people that don't need the wood, then you have a new friend and all that wood.

 

[cornerstone4.2]

I'm torn on how to handle this. The electric company is clearing way for addition power lines, and have about 30 bucked logs 30-40 feet long off the side of the road (more than 4 feet, beyond...more like 6 feet). I had written them prior to the start of the project, and they emailed me stating that they offer the wood to those whose property abut the project. My property is around the corner, not abutting the project, and if nobody is on site over this holiday weekend, I was considering burning some two cycle on the logs....it's right there....it's killing me !......what are your thoughts ?....go for it ?

I would, without letting my motive known, ask the neighbors if that’s their property. If there’s no takers grab that wood before it hits the chipper!! My buddy used to work for a big tree service company and they would use a huge chipper to dispose of excellent quality hardwood! It’s was the most cost effective way to clear the area. What a waste.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cornerstone4.2]

I would, without letting my motive known, ask the neighbors if that’s their property. If there’s no takers grab that wood before it hits the chipper!! My buddy used to work for a big tree service company and they would use a huge chipper to dispose of excellent quality hardwood! It’s was the most cost effective way to clear the area. What a waste.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The other option is to directly ask the laborers when they’re back on the site.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Woody5506]

I got a great ash score last year at a public park about a mile from my house. I saw big rounds from the road, too big to handle. I went to the park office and the guy there told me anytime they leave something like that behind, it's up for grabs, otherwise it's more for them to deal with and they just chip it up anyway, but they "technically" aren't supposed to let people take it.

 

[Soundchasm]

I have met some of the nicest people knocking on doors and asking politely. In two cases, they were going to keep the wood, but gave me the numbers of their family or in-laws who were desperate to have downed trees cleared. There was plenty of wood, but it was in places I'd have never seen w/o a reference.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

I have met some of the nicest people knocking on doors and asking politely. In two cases, they were going to keep the wood, but gave me the numbers of their family or in-laws who were desperate to have downed trees cleared. There was plenty of wood, but it was in places I'd have never seen w/o a reference.

One of the most valuable posts I've read on Hearth.

It's just like a sales job or finding a mate. Just have the courage to ask nicely and have resilience and stamina, so that even when you get a "no" or two or three, be confident that the "yesses" are right around the corner.

 

[Rangerbait]

One of the most valuable posts I've read on Hearth.

It's just like a sales job or finding a mate. Just have the courage to ask nicely and have resilience and stamina, so that even when you get a "no" or two or three, be confident that the "yesses" are right around the corner.

Absolutely right...I started collecting wood just under a year ago, and was worried that I'd have to resort to buying it.

Through a combination of knocking on doors and word-of-mouth, I was able to get 10+ cords of a nice range of firewood (including 2+ cords of Shagbark Hickory) CSS before I even had my wood stove installation done!

Here's my latest score of over 2 cords of Ash that resulted from knocking on a door:

 

[Tar12]

In this part of the country farmers will let you clear out fence rows and glad to have you!

 

[Sodbuster]

I'm torn on how to handle this. The electric company is clearing way for addition power lines, and have about 30 bucked logs 30-40 feet long off the side of the road (more than 4 feet, beyond...more like 6 feet). I had written them prior to the start of the project, and they emailed me stating that they offer the wood to those whose property abut the project. My property is around the corner, not abutting the project, and if nobody is on site over this holiday weekend, I was considering burning some two cycle on the logs....it's right there....it's killing me !......what are your thoughts ?....go for it ?

I've been in your exact position, go talk to the landowner. Kindly explain you heat your house with wood, and you're not trying to dime on their nickel. Most will be happy to have it gone. If you can't locate the owner, which in this day and age, and a trip to the township office shouldn't be too hard, I'd say cut away, before it goes through the chipper.

 

[firefighterjake]

Ed and Sodbuster pretty much have said how I feel . . .

Having had a person come along and take a downed tree on my property . . . assuming it was OK to take without asking me personally . . . I am of the opinion that the right thing to do is to always ask the land owner.

In my case I used a bit of Solomon's wisdom and after learning that it was a more or less honest mistake on his part, I suggested he could keep half of the wood he had already hauled to his place and I would load up the other half he had hauled.

 

[Beer Belly]

nearest house is 100 yards away and lots here are not that big, I actually think it might be town land now that I look at it, but I will knock on doors, you guys are right, if it were mine, I'd be ticked off. God, I'd hate to miss out on this.

 

[maple1]

It should be easy to find out who the landowner is, just check property records wherever those records are. Here it would be the local Land Registration office. County/municipality office? May be a small search fee to pay - but then at least you will know so the guessing game can end and then go right to them. Or have somebody you know who should have access check for you - like a lawyer or surveyor or real estate person etc..

 

[Firefighter938]

You may look and see if your county has GIS mapping. It is normally on the county website and shows property lines, who the owner is, etc.

 

[Beer Belly]

UGH!

 

[BoiledOver]

I'm torn on how to handle this. The electric company is clearing way for addition power lines, and have about 30 bucked logs 30-40 feet long off the side of the road (more than 4 feet, beyond...more like 6 feet). I had written them prior to the start of the project, and they emailed me stating that they offer the wood to those whose property abut the project. My property is around the corner, not abutting the project, and if nobody is on site over this holiday weekend, I was considering burning some two cycle on the logs....it's right there....it's killing me !......what are your thoughts ?....go for it ?

Will add my thoughts too. Those trees belong to the landowners.

Based on your descriptions of your neighborhood, I am surprised that you do not already know each of the land owners in question. In our neighborhood, we know each other and roughly our surveyed boundaries. We do not encroach another persons land and respect each other. If you lived within a mile or two of me, we would know each other for sure.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

UGH!

The way those logs are piled suggestions that someone, somewhere has plans for them.