If you tend to put things off, now is the time to start. To get through the winter, you have to work hard to find enough firewood. I live in Florida, which has had plenty of firewood for the past month. We have been able to get freshly cut logs from the side of the road, so I have enough. What about you, though? Have you stocked up?
If you know where to look, you can find free or cheap wood in most states. It takes work to move it and cut it, but if you want to save money, it’s a better deal than buying it by the cord.
Why Gather Wood
Gathering wood for the winter should be a part of your preparedness plan every year, just like putting away food and water. With the possibility of an EMP attack, it seems especially important this year. Even if there is no electricity, you need to be able to keep your home warm. You’ll also need to be ready to cook and boil water for sterilization and drinking purposes.
Your best plan is to plan and get ready now for things you might need in the future. Think about how hard it will be to get wood if there is an EMP this winter. There will be a huge demand and a limited supply. Plan ahead and take care of this thing now, before it gets cold in the winter.
Harvesting Wood in National Forests and State Parks
Each state and park has its own rules, but many of them allow people to cut down dead or dying trees for their own firewood. You will almost always need a permit, and you can only take a certain amount of wood. Some permits are free, while others cost $20 or more for several cords of wood. Never take wood without permission.
General Guidelines for Harvesting Wood in National Forests
Most national forests allow people to cut down trees for Christmas trees and firewood. You need a permit from the US Forest Service, and you have to follow the rules. Different forests have different rules, but most follow these general ones:
- You must always have with you the permit given to you by the US Forest Service.
- You can only cut down wood and Christmas trees for your own use; you can’t sell them.
- Follow the instructions on your permit to find out where you can harvest, when, and how easy it will be to get there.
- Check the weather forecast and dress for it.
- Check for road closures and fire warnings before going into the forest. During times when there is a high risk of fire, you can’t use a chainsaw.
- Bring a map and compass with you, and learn how to use them.
- If you use a chainsaw, you should carry a fire extinguisher.
When to Harvest
Most wood-cutting permits are given out in the spring, which is also the best time to cut. If you start cutting early, the undergrowth won’t have grown yet, making it easier to cut and get the wood out. The longer you wait, the less there will be, and the harder you will have to work to get it. You will also need a heavy-duty wheelbarrow because many of the best places are not easy to get to by road.
But check the dates in your area. Some states in the South give out permits in the fall and winter.
How Much Wood Do You Need?
You probably know how much wood you need if you already use it to heat your home and cook. Most of us, however, have no idea how much wood it would take to keep a fire or wood stove going all winter.
How much wood you need depends on where you live, how much space you are heating, what kind of wood you are burning, how efficient your stove is, how well-insulated your house is, and a lot of other things. So, it is unrealistic for me to tell you exactly how much wood you need. In general, I think it’s better to have too much than not enough. On average, a small home with good insulation and a good wood stove will need four cords or more of a good hardwood to heat. You may want to stock up more in case of a colder-than-usual winter.
Related: How To Properly Store And Stack Firewood
What Kind of Wood to Burn
Most likely, you will burn wood that grows in your area. Some woods burn hotter than others, though. In general, look for trees like Ash, Birch, Beech, Oak, and Elm that are made of hardwood. These woods take longer to burn and give off more heat than a softwood log of the same size.
Only burn dry, well-seasoned wood that has 20% water or less. For wood to be well-seasoned, it needs to be outside for 18 to 24 months. So, the wood you cut down this year will be used to start fires next year. Even more, the reason to get going right away. About 50% more heat is given off by seasoned wood than by a fresh log. Also, a wet or unseasoned log won’t burn well and will leave behind a lot of smoke, soot, and creosote.
Finding Wood in The City
What if you don’t live near a National Forest but in a busy city? Is cheap firewood still possible to get? Yes, but you will have to think outside the box. There are rules in every city about how to get rid of dead or dying trees on private property, and trees always need to be trimmed. Do your neighbors have big trees that are starting to take up too much space on their land? Offer to help trim the trees if you can have the wood in exchange. Make sure you know how to do this safely so you don’t hit a car, house, or person with a tree branch. Do not do this if you haven’t done it before and don’t have a permit.
Also, many cities have rules that say trees that are sick, dying, or in danger of falling on public or private property can be cut down. You need to ask for a permit and give the city time to think about your idea. Check the rules where you currently reside and always apply for permits.
A sampling of Costs and Terms Around the Country
Almost all National Forests have rules that let people cut down dead or dying trees, and some even have areas set aside for this. However, the rules for each park are different. Here are some of the policies I found in different parts of the country. Look for information about firewood permits in the national forests near you.
- From April 1 to November 30, you can buy a permit to take up to 10 cords of wood from the Sierra National Forest for your own use. Each cord costs $10.
- In some parts of the Redwood National Forest, you can pick up driftwood for free. Permits are given out in the spring based on who gets there first. There are certain dates and times when collection can’t happen.
- A permit to cut two cords of wood in the Los Padres National Forest costs $20. Each household can remove up to 8 cords per year at a cost of $80.
- Plumas National Forest gives out permits for Christmas tree cutting and for cutting firewood for personal or business use. Personal firewood permits cost $10 per cord, and you can get up to 12 cords. Commercial permits are $10 per cord, with a maximum of 30 cords per permit.
- For $15, you can get a permit to cut down up to 3 cords of wood in the Ocala National Forest. Small amounts of firewood are free.
- With a permit, people in the Mark Twain National Forest can cut up to 4 cords of wood from closed timber sale units and other places.
With some creativity and a lot of work, you can have your wood pile full before it gets cold. If you don’t have any wood saved, buy what you need for this year and start cutting down what you’ll need next year. This will give your wood time to dry out, and you will be ready for anything.