Despite the current decline in tree planting. There are still legal ways to find free firewood near you without paying.
The usefulness of firewood has not deteriorated because it serves as fuel for several purposes such as cooking, heating, power production, and the like.
Sadly, looking for these might be time and effort-consuming. But it will require you to do some probing, intense digging, and having the right attitude to enable you to get firewood without paying.
Notwithstanding, there are about 15 legal ways to find free firewood near you in 2023 without paying.
As you read along you will about to find out some recommendations before getting free firewood, Know the 15 legal ways to find firewood near you in 2023 without paying and what to do with this firewood after you have found them,
Before you begin, here are some recommendations.
Establish a Relationship
When you discover a source of free firewood, work on developing a relationship with them. Do not take them for granted.
Ensure you develop a rapport with the owners of the firewood when you begin receiving free firewood from a local firm.
After receiving free wood, a thank you card or other tokens of appreciation would be appropriate. Allow them to see how much you appreciate their gift.
Take No More Than What You Can Use
Do you light your fireplace only three or four times a year? If that is the case, refrain from taking a whole cord of firewood. Take only what you will require to get you through the winter three or four times.
Determine Whether The Firewood Is Seasoned
How is seasoned wood defined? Seasoned wood is wood that has been harvested (or fallen) more than a year ago and allowed to “age” for at least a year.
Use only seasoned wood. Why? Because seasoned wood contributes less creosote to the creosote buildup in your chimney.
True, creosote is a combustible chemical that is constantly deposited inside your chimney, especially when using unseasoned wood.
If you burn unseasoned wood regularly and the creosote builds up, you risk starting a chimney fire. That is not what you desire.
Switch Up Your Firewood
Rotate your wood in the same way as you rotate your food (or, at the very least, you should……uhuh, you know who you are).
If you are unable to obtain seasoned wood this year, stockpile unseasoned wood and store it for a year. The following year, utilize that wood and acquire additional wood for the following year.
Places to Find Free Firewood in 2023 Without Payment
1. Word of mouth
It is one of the quickest and most reliable means to get free firewood without paying. Ensure to voice out far and wide that you are in dire need of free firewood.
You never know who might be planning to cut down a tree or perhaps lose a tree in a storm. But, it requires that you be courteous before knowing you, a stack of firewood will be in your backyard.
2. Facebook Marketplace/Craigslist
You will always find two categories of people in these online communities. Firstly, are those who are selling firewood with prices attached to them.
Secondly, are those who are looking to remove a dead mango tree that was taken down during a storm in their backyard.
You could also place Ads on any of the communities stating that you are available to take down any dead tree or clean up the space where a dead tree fell.
They may have not been a negative experience from anyone on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace.
However, if you feel skeptical about whose house you will be visiting, kindly go with a friend or relative you can trust.
3. National Forest
This option is not entirely free, you will be required to pay for a pass/permit for as low as $5 to allow you to harvest as many firewoods as you desire.
Interestingly, a lot of national forests in the United State have enough provision for firewood for heating purposes. Please bear in mind that national forests are different from national parks.
The difference is that national parks are regulated by the national park service while National forest is run by the Department t of the Interior.
Cutting down trees in National parks is regarded as poaching. While not obtaining a permit in a National forest will attract a fine worth $300.
4. Ask loved ones or acquaintances about cutting down trees
If you have notice of any loved ones or acquaintances cutting down trees around your neighborhood, it won’t be too much to ask if they have plans to discard the wood generated. Else they should let you have or go home with them.
5. Sawmills
Another means to get free firewood from sawmills. These are factories that turn logs of wood into planks. Often, they are leftovers as they don’t use all of the firewood that come into their factory.
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You could search around and pay them a visit to ask for leftovers or plead that they reserve some leftovers for you when next they receive a bulk of firewood.
6. Freecycle
It is a similar online community to craigslist where you get things and give out things for free. The only limitation of this online community is that the activities on your list are determined by the area you live in.
Nevertheless, you could sign up and look out on your list for free firwoods.
7. ChipDrop
This platform pairs tree services with those in need of firewood. You choose to pay for delivery willingly. How does this work?
- Create an account
- Fill in your details
- Request for logs of firewood and wait until they are delivered to you. You can decide whether to donate for delivery or not.
8. During bush clean up
City services often schedule a day during spring or fall to clear all dead branches, leaves, or other related wastes.
Find out what dates have been fixed so you could walk/drive around to see if you can find useful firewood on the roadside.
9. Construction sites
This is a good site for finding free firewood near you in 2023. You will most likely find abandoned firewood on construction sites.
No house is built on land with lots of trees, it has to be cleared first, Which is why you are most likely to find lots of firewood on a construction site.
10. Free box spring
Search online communities like Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for free box springs.
Underneath each box spring, you will always find wood that can be used for firewood when cut up.
11. Builders
There are always leftovers of wood abandoned by builders during house remodeling or demolition. But you will need to be cautious of nails when holding such wood.
12. Burn piles
After the land is cleared for building, logs of wood are often kept together to be burnt before disposal.
Confirm from any local upscale building companies around you if they will form any burnt piles and request some free firewood.
13. Small stores
While large box retailers have a recycling program in place, smaller stores frequently have no other option but to toss away their pallets.
There are numerous small businesses located across the city. If you are already a customer of a small business that receives goods via truck, feel free to inquire about whether they ever receive pallets and what they do with them.
If they do not, do they know of any stores that do? It never hurts to inquire.
Some businesses, such as garden nursery stores, vehicle repair shops, and landscaping enterprises, may be more successful than others.
14. Electric Company
Your local electric provider is responsible for tree and shrub maintenance near power poles. Thus, when trees grow too large and threaten to damage the poles, a tree service will often come in and cut off the risky branches.
It’s a good idea to contact the local electric provider and inquire about what happens to the trees they cut down.
There is no reason why you cannot save money on firewood when there are so many options available! All you need to do is inquire!
Simply keep in mind that you should not take wood without permission. Always inquire before taking. The majority of locations will gladly accept your offer to take wood off their hands.
15. Your backyard
Do you have an excess of trees? Are you able to remove one or more? This would be entirely free, save for your labour.
Simply be cautious. Conduct research on how to properly fell a tree. Before attempting it on your own, ensure that you are capable of doing it securely.
Other Places to Find Free Firewood in 2023 include:
Offer trimming services
If you have the skills and equipment to trim tree stems or branches, then you should be waiting for one to bring fireworks to you. Simply drive around to look for dying/dead trees that need to be cut down or trimmed.
You could cut off your trees as you desire. But ensure your neighbours or other necessary parties are aware of your actions to avoid getting yourself in trouble.
Additionally, you can contact those around your area that specialize in trimming down dying or dead trees.
Some always leave behind leftovers that they want to dispose of or sell out. Do well to ask questions.
What to deal with the wood after it is discovered
Once you’ve discovered the wood, there are a few uses for it
- You can retain it or give it to someone who requires firewood.
- If you’re donating the wood, ensure that the recipient understands how to properly use it.
- If you intend to store the wood, ensure that it is protected from insects and other animals that may consume it.
- A little upkeep goes a long way toward safeguarding your firewood.
After you have gotten the free firewood, put them to use with your hands. Know that fireworks are hazardous substances.
Whether you are using a saw to chop them into parts or using axes. It is safe to protect the firewood with a rope while taking them home.
Also, ensure your eyes are protected with safety google and your hands are covered with a hand glove so as not to be cut with the wood.
Conclusion
Firewood are needed in every home, particularly during winter. To keep the home warm and for other vital use.
Suppose you have been struggling with where to get free firewood, we believe this article will help provide you with some ideas.
