What to pay for logs

Ectophile

I try to scrounge free wood when I can, but there's a downside.

When you buy logs, they should be seasoned. If you keep them in a dry wood store, they should be ready to burn as soon as any surface damp has dried.

When you gather logs, they are usually green, and need to be stored for at least a year, preferably two. If you're not careful, you can find your wood store stuffed full of logs that aren't ready to burn.

Seanymph

Absolutely they need to be stacked - but it's worth it for free wood.

Erm, let's see. We had a lot that a relative got some from a furniture manufacturer - they were mahogany offcuts, burnt lovely.

OH works on an estate, so he gets a couple of van loads per year from there.

An extension was built at work - I got all the extra wood as kindling.

freecycle often has trees that need cutting up and taking away, there was one on ours just yesterday.

There is a 'Poors' Allotment' charity in our village, and you can cut your own from the woods here about if you sign up to do the work.

A neighbour had a tree taken down - so we cleared that for him.

We have wood in our own garden which we have cut out.

A landscape gardener who we know drops some off sometimes.

I've always found if you forever keep your eyes open, and make sure everyone knows you want logs for your burner that when they want to get rid of some they call on you - that and the fact that OH is handy with a chainsaw!

I guess if you don't live rurally it's more of an issue, but we live in the Countryside and OH works within Agriculture - so generally we can scavenge stuff from all sorts of places.

SG27

Seanymph wrote: »

Absolutely they need to be stacked - but it's worth it for free wood.

Erm, let's see. We had a lot that a relative got some from a furniture manufacturer - they were mahogany offcuts, burnt lovely.

OH works on an estate, so he gets a couple of van loads per year from there.

An extension was built at work - I got all the extra wood as kindling.

freecycle often has trees that need cutting up and taking away, there was one on ours just yesterday.

There is a 'Poors' Allotment' charity in our village, and you can cut your own from the woods here about if you sign up to do the work.

A neighbour had a tree taken down - so we cleared that for him.

We have wood in our own garden which we have cut out.

A landscape gardener who we know drops some off sometimes.

I've always found if you forever keep your eyes open, and make sure everyone knows you want logs for your burner that when they want to get rid of some they call on you - that and the fact that OH is handy with a chainsaw!

I guess if you don't live rurally it's more of an issue, but we live in the Countryside and OH works within Agriculture - so generally we can scavenge stuff from all sorts of places.

Thanks. Ill have to start building up contacts. I don't mind chopping my own although only have a bow saw.

I've picked up quite a bit i suppose so maybe throughout the year I will build up quite a bit. We live in a village with lots of countryside about us.

I have a big brick built log store for storage and also built a shed with a lean too on the side which I'm using for seasoning as this is open 3 sides and the log store is only open at the front.

I've also started to chop my own kindling which is fun

Can't wait for winter now!

Size66

ive installed a multifuel burner 'Cleanburn Skagen' and my position is simple. the gas fired central heating is very rarely on, the burner keeps me warm ( sometimes too warm ) and i like looking at the flames lapping away at the end of the day in a darkened room with a good whisky. and that my friends is priceless:D

Gloomendoom

Great if you only want one room warm.

I get free wood fuel but I still run the gas central heating because I like the whole house warm... even the rooms without a stove or fireplace.

Gloomendoom

SG27 wrote: »

Thanks. Ill have to start building up contacts. I don't mind chopping my own although only have a bow saw.

That is how I started but I now have five chain saws. Three petrol and two electric.

martinthebandit

To be honest it probably isn't much cheaper, especially if you have to buy your logs but, it is very pleasant sitting in a warm house knowing the fuel you are using is bought and paid for.

SG27

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Great if you only want one room warm.

I get free wood fuel but I still run the gas central heating because I like the whole house warm... even the rooms without a stove or fireplace.

Our stove heats the living room and most of the upstairs too! Kitchen is a bit chilly but we aren't in there much of an evening anyway.

SG27

Gloomendoom wrote: »

That is how I started but I now have five chain saws. Three petrol and two electric.

I doubt ill ever need 5 chainsaws! I like the bow saw. It's fun sawing up the logs. Even if it takes some time

Gloomendoom

SG27 wrote: »

I doubt ill ever need 5 chainsaws! I like the bow saw. It's fun sawing up the logs. Even if it takes some time

I don't need five really. One of the petrol ones is a cheapo Aldi saw that got usurped by a pair of Husqvarnas for field use. The electric saws are are super quiet and for use at home where I don't like annoying my neighbours. One is a specialised pole pruning saw.