Heating Your Home on a Budget: Get free or cheap firewood

Heating your home with firewood is a classic homesteading practice, but buying cords of wood from a supplier can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are ways to source inexpensive—or even free—firewood if you’re willing to put in some effort. One excellent resource is local tree companies. These businesses often need to pay dump fees to dispose of wood, meaning they might be more than happy to offload logs to someone willing to take them.

Here’s how you can source firewood affordably and efficiently while helping reduce waste.

Why Tree Companies Are a Great Resource

Tree service companies regularly remove trees for homeowners or businesses, leaving them with an abundance of logs, branches, and woodchips. Disposing of this material often involves hauling it to a landfill or recycling facility, which incurs costs. By offering to take logs off their hands, you provide a win-win solution:

For the company: You save them time and money.
For you: You get free or inexpensive firewood.

How to Connect with Tree Companies

Search Locally: Apps like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor to find local tree services. Many companies advertise their services here, and some explicitly mention free wood as an option.
Reach Out Directly: Contact tree companies near you and ask if they have logs they need to dispose of. Mention that you’re willing to pick up the wood yourself, which saves them time.
Leave Your Contact Information: If a tree service doesn’t currently have extra logs, leave your phone number or email. Many companies will gladly contact you when they have a surplus of wood.
Network Locally: Talk to neighbors or join homesteading or gardening groups. Members often share tips about tree companies or other sources of free wood.

What to Expect When Collecting Logs

When sourcing wood from tree companies, be prepared for the following:

Variety of Sizes: Logs may vary in diameter and length. Make sure you have the tools to cut them down to firewood size.
Species Mix: Tree companies deal with various types of trees, so you may get hardwoods like oak and maple or softer woods like pine. Not all woods burn the same, so research the types you receive. I personally ask for maple or oak.
Unsplit Wood: In most cases, the logs won’t be split. You’ll need a splitting maul or hydraulic splitter to process the wood yourself.

Tips for Safely Processing Firewood

Tools You’ll Need
- Chainsaw: For cutting logs to manageable lengths.
- Splitting Tools: A splitting maul, axe, or log splitter for breaking down logs into firewood.
- Safety Gear: Gloves, safety goggles, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection.
Check the Wood’s Condition: Avoid wood that shows signs of rot or is heavily infested with pests. Rotten wood won’t burn well, and pests could spread to your property.
Cure the Wood: Firewood needs to season (dry out) before it’s suitable for burning. Stack your wood in a dry, well-ventilated area for at least six months. Hardwood may require longer.
Split Before Storing: Splitting logs before stacking allows them to dry faster and burn more efficiently.

Other Sources of Inexpensive Firewood

While tree companies are a top resource, there are other ways to find affordable firewood:

Municipal Cleanup Programs: After storms, local governments often clear downed trees and offer the wood to residents for free. Contact your city or county public works department to inquire.
Construction Sites: Wood from cleared land at construction sites is often discarded. Always ask permission before taking wood from these areas.
Free Wood Listings: Websites like Craigslist frequently feature listings for free wood. Just be sure to read the details carefully, as some listings may include wood unsuitable for burning (e.g., treated lumber).

The Benefits of Sourcing Your Own Firewood

Finding and processing your own firewood has several advantages beyond cost savings:

Self-Sufficiency: It’s a fulfilling way to provide for your homestead’s heating needs.
Sustainability: Reclaiming wood destined for disposal reduces waste and promotes a circular economy.
Exercise: Splitting and stacking firewood is excellent physical activity.

Final Thoughts

Heating your home with firewood doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little effort and resourcefulness, you can tap into an often-overlooked supply of free or affordable logs from local tree companies. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce waste and enhance your homesteading skills.

So grab your tools, make some calls, and start splitting—it’s time to turn those discarded logs into winter warmth.