Saving Money on Firewood

Frugal tips or ideas for getting firewood as suggested from the ThriftyFun community. If you have any advice, post it here.

Check With The City Parks Department

We get a hold of our parks department, and street department. The trees they take down are taken to one spot and cut up and let go to waste. If you call, they will give you a number to contact and it's usually free for the taking. Just take a chain saw, a strong back and a truck.

By Cindy Kosloski

Get A Cutting Permit And Other Tips

You can cut wood in most Federal or State forests by paying a small permit fee. Advertise in the paper for free firewood needs. Offer to cut down logs on someone's property for the wood. We had a hurricane in Richmond, VA last year and have tons of free wood here! We also have a freecycle group here that gives away wood and other free stuff to anyone who wants it.

By Jill

Check For Scrap At A Saw Mill

We buy scrap slab wood from a saw mill. They sell large bundles already strapped for $35. These bundles are too heavy for our 1/4 ton truck so we load our own to the top of the truck bed and they only charge us $15. We then use a chain saw at home to cut each slab to the desired length.

By Cheryl from Missouri

Sawmills Are A Great Resource

In past years we have bought chunks of "end wood" from a sawmill. They would fill our utility trailer for $25.00. Usually it has been oak, and the chunks were a great size for a woodstove or fireplace. The outfit we have used has recently closed so no longer available, but they were a terrific source of firewood. See if you can find a sawmill in your area.

By Jean

Check For Skids Or Other Waste Wood

We also use a wood stove for heat and we get wood from business' with their skids Some are really good hardwood and it does not take much to cut them up. We also have a skid making factory in the area, we get the leftover pieces. We also collect dead wood on public land.

By Wonderfulone from Hamilton

Save Branches For Kindling

Now is the time that you will be outside cleaning up the small pieces of wood that have fallen from the trees. Do not throw them away. Keep them to start your fireplace fire. Waste Not, Want Not.

By Joesgirl

Offer To Clear Neighbor's Deadwood

What you could do is if you see a tree that's dead in a someone's yard and it's not to dangerous to cut down (like too close to their house, garage, light pole), just ask. Most people will let you. Saves on a tree service and you get all the wood. But you have to clean the whole area up.

By jeff burnett

Editor's Note: Here is a previous ThriftyFun article with more information about buying firewood.

• Firewood Buying and Storing Tips