I work for a general contractor who also is a commercial and industrial real estate developer. We probably own 500 acres at the moment, and extended family of the developer probably has another 1,000 acres (all wooded).
I've been involved in cutting, pushing, and BURNING, a 100 acres once. Probably every two months I have wood to get rid of. Sometimes, several acres.
We routinely pay our employees or outside contractors to cut down and haul away (or burn). There is a disconect between connecting you, the log burner/user, and real estate developers (at least in Eastern Pennsylvania).
I am sure other developers would like to connect more directly with you. We struggle to find large companies to come and clear our land. Tomorrow I am meeting with one of those companies who is finally clearing about a 1/3 of an acre. It took me 3 months longer than I wanted and probably 20 more phone calls than I wanted to. I need people like you guys.
So here's my advice to you, the guy who needs wood:
1. Call! I've been doing this 10 years and I don't think that I've ever had one guy call asking for firewood. How many of you have ever called a developer or contractor?
2. Call again! In most cases, it will be difficult to keep your name on file and remember to call you. I'd rather you call every 2-3 months. The problem I will more likely have is that I can give you too much wood and you won't need any more for a few years. I don't expect you take all of it. Take what you can and don't cherry pick. Cut the next ten trees in line, not the 36" oak on the ground 200' back that's 5 years dead.
3. Expect to organize your buddies or take a few days off. I want the wood cut, and cut soon. Most times it can't take 2 months. I need it done in 2 weeks.
4. In my office there are 5 guys directly responsible for wood removal. I don't know if the other guy needs wood removed. You might have to call all 5 individually. Get to know all of them.
5. Get to know company on-site superintendents. Sometimes we (the office guys) forget to take care of the wood, and the problem falls on them. They are the guys who actually cut it down if I forget to hire someone. If you show up with your truck & saw (and a case of beer to donate), most likely he'll let you have the trees.
6. I don't want money. I want expediency. Don't get in my way. Get in, get out. Bring all your tools and don't ask to borrow ours. Haul the wood out the day you cut it. Be self sufficient. This comment is probably the most important. If you follow this comment, I guarantee you will have a lifetime supplier of free wood.
7. Find a buddy with a tri-axle that you can give $100 to and will wait while you load it and drop it at your house. They'll haul a lot more wood than your truck & trailer. Yes you're wasting $100 in your mind. Re-read comment #6, i.e. expediency, if you want to work with us continously.
I've been involved in cutting, pushing, and BURNING, a 100 acres once. Probably every two months I have wood to get rid of. Sometimes, several acres.
We routinely pay our employees or outside contractors to cut down and haul away (or burn). There is a disconect between connecting you, the log burner/user, and real estate developers (at least in Eastern Pennsylvania).
I am sure other developers would like to connect more directly with you. We struggle to find large companies to come and clear our land. Tomorrow I am meeting with one of those companies who is finally clearing about a 1/3 of an acre. It took me 3 months longer than I wanted and probably 20 more phone calls than I wanted to. I need people like you guys.
So here's my advice to you, the guy who needs wood:
1. Call! I've been doing this 10 years and I don't think that I've ever had one guy call asking for firewood. How many of you have ever called a developer or contractor?
2. Call again! In most cases, it will be difficult to keep your name on file and remember to call you. I'd rather you call every 2-3 months. The problem I will more likely have is that I can give you too much wood and you won't need any more for a few years. I don't expect you take all of it. Take what you can and don't cherry pick. Cut the next ten trees in line, not the 36" oak on the ground 200' back that's 5 years dead.
3. Expect to organize your buddies or take a few days off. I want the wood cut, and cut soon. Most times it can't take 2 months. I need it done in 2 weeks.
4. In my office there are 5 guys directly responsible for wood removal. I don't know if the other guy needs wood removed. You might have to call all 5 individually. Get to know all of them.
5. Get to know company on-site superintendents. Sometimes we (the office guys) forget to take care of the wood, and the problem falls on them. They are the guys who actually cut it down if I forget to hire someone. If you show up with your truck & saw (and a case of beer to donate), most likely he'll let you have the trees.
6. I don't want money. I want expediency. Don't get in my way. Get in, get out. Bring all your tools and don't ask to borrow ours. Haul the wood out the day you cut it. Be self sufficient. This comment is probably the most important. If you follow this comment, I guarantee you will have a lifetime supplier of free wood.
7. Find a buddy with a tri-axle that you can give $100 to and will wait while you load it and drop it at your house. They'll haul a lot more wood than your truck & trailer. Yes you're wasting $100 in your mind. Re-read comment #6, i.e. expediency, if you want to work with us continously.
