Collecting wood

Tonjaren

Hi,
I've noticed during my internet trawling of anything remotely connected to burning wood/logs, there's qui a lot of reference to collecting/having access to free wood....

I just wondered where they stand legally, if anyone knows that is...

I know collecting on private land obviously requires land owners permission but ...is it legal to collect from a council owned wood on common land, and what of wood on the side of the road?

I'm only thinking of fallen branches etc....I'm not complentating taking a chainsaw to a 100 year old oak tree or anything remotely similar....:rotfl:

muckybutt

Generally all land is owned by someone, unless you have permission from the landowner to remove wood from the land then technically it is theft.

The Magna Carta as many refer to does not say you can remove wood, the four F's are in the MC foliage, fruits, fungi and fawna they are the only thing a common man can remove from a wood legally.

Ask local businesses if they have unwanted pallets etc you'll be surprised at how many do and will give them away for nothing.

Gloomendoom

I have access to free wood but it is with the landowners permission. Having said that, it isn't really free as it takes a not considerable investment in equipment, petrol and effort.

Towser

...is it legal to collect from a council owned wood on common land,

Does anybody know? I would be taking a chainsaw to a fallen tree.

Has anyone had success with asking their local landowner?

Ectophile

If it's a common, you only have the right to gather fallen wood if you are a commoner with the right of estovers over the land. You would probably know if you were - it would be an ancient right that comes with the property you live in.

Gloomendoom

Towser wrote: »

Does anybody know? I would be taking a chainsaw to a fallen tree.

Has anyone had success with asking their local landowner?

As above. For the council owned wood, try asking your local council. If you want to use a chainsaw, be prepared to jump through a few health and safety related hoops.

Ebe_Scrooge

You can get permits from the Forestry Commission to scavenge wood from their land. It's not free, you have to pay for the permit, but at least it's all legal and above board, and if you're going to be collecting a lot then it can be worth it. Substantially cheaper than buying wood in.

captainhindsight_2

You must have express permission from whoevers land it it, trees are often felled and left on the ground for a reason to attract insects, fungi, birds, wildlife etc or even just cut down to be left and collected later on in the year.

As far as I am aware, it would be considered trespassing and then stealing.

Also if you are planing to use the fuel in a boiler receiving RHI, you must register as a 'self supplier' or you will loose all future RHI payments

Gloomendoom

captainhindsight wrote: »

You must have express permission from whoevers land it it, trees are often felled and left on the ground for a reason to attract insects, fungi, birds, wildlife etc or even just cut down to be left and collected later on in the year.

If I remember correctly, the EU farmers single payment scheme has/had some requirements that fallen boughs be left to encourage insects etc. Your final point is valid too as that is what is done on the land I have access to.

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

You can get permits from the Forestry Commission to scavenge wood from their land. It's not free, you have to pay for the permit, but at least it's all legal and above board, and if you're going to be collecting a lot then it can be worth it. Substantially cheaper than buying wood in.

I looked into that but, last time I checked, they had stopped issuing permits... in my area, at least.

Greenfires

I think the FC in Scotland are still doing them - but like Gloomendoom, last time I checked they'd been withdrawn in this area (NW England)

reeac

Where we live in Suffolk Forest Enterprises used to issue permits to collect fallen timber but, due probably to understaffing, they don't bother anymore and it seems that anyone can help themselves. They probably would object to anyone bringing along a big trailer or pickup.