Winter is here, which means it's time to bundle up in your coziest winter clothing, make a steaming mug of hot cocoa, and sit bya roaring fire. But, oh, no! You forgot to buy firewood! No need to say goodbye to your cozy winter dreams or your hard-earned money. In this guide, you'll learn where to get firewood for cheap or free.
Places to Find Free Firewood
No need to watch your money go up in smoke! There are plenty of places you can get firewood for free.
Check out Construction Sites
When looking for free firewood, it's best to think of businesses with a lot of excess wood they have nothing to do with, such as construction companies.
Construction companies generate scrap wood during projects, collect wood from structures they tear down and get lots of wood from trees they clear away for projects. They are rolling in wood they can't use.
You taking wood off of their hands is a win-win for you and construction companies: they don't have to waste wood or put effort into disposing of it, and you get free firewood.
Clean Up After Storms
Waking up to a street full of downed branches, leaves, and even tree limbs can be scary, but you might as well take advantage of all the free firewood that a severe storm provides.Of course, to take advantage of this free firewood, you'll probably need some power tools and a large vehicle.
You can then provide homeowners who don't have the means to remove large tree limbs from their yard and backyard with a free service while getting some firewood for yourself.
Trim Trees for Free
Similar to cleaning up after a storm, by offering homeowners a free service like tree trimming, you can do them a favor while getting free firewood for yourself.
Of course, this option also requires you to have the expertise and equipment to prune back trees, but if you have both, you might as well go for it. To get started, drive around looking for trees that look like they should be trimmed back, and then ask for permission.
If you don't have the expertise or equipment to trim trees, consider approaching the people who do: tree trimming companies. Contact them to ask if they have free or cheap firewood, which they likely do.
Use Wooden Pallets
I feel like I always see outdoor signs or online posts for free wooden pallets. The bargain hunter in me still wants to take people up on the offer, but I can never figure out a use for wooden pallets.
One use is firewood. Shipping pallets make excellent firewood, especially for campfires.The only catch is that you should be wary of burning pallets with lots of nails, screws, or staples in them and that you should make sure the pallet you're burning is safe to burn.If a pallet is marked with "MB," that means it was treated with methyl bromide and is not safe to burn.
Places to Get Cheap Firewood
If you can't find free firewood, look for the next best thing: cheap firewood. These options will provide you with easy-to-find firewood that isn't too costly.
Search on Local Websites
Check out Craigslist,The Freecycle Network, and Facebook Marketplace to see if people are giving away firewood for free or cheap. You can start by searching for "Free Firewood" and then look for "Cheap Firewood."
If you don't find any posts offering free or cheap firewood, post your own "in search of" ad. People may have firewood to get rid of that they just haven't thought of listing!
Get a Firewood Permit
Contact your local government about getting a permit to cut trees on public land. Typically, firewood permits cost around $20, which is well worth it considering the wood you cut with your permit could last you the entire winter.
Of course, the permit doesn't enable you to cut any tree you feel like cutting; typically, it's limited to trees that need to be cut back, dead limbs, or downed trees, but depending on where you live, that should still be more than enough wood.
Check Out Your Local Sawmill
Not every town has a sawmill, but if yours does, you should check it out to see if they sell cheap firewood or even give away free firewood.
Sawmills typically have leftover slab wood or tailings, which can make excellent firewood. Contact the mill to enquire whether they have any wood for sale. Even if they don't advertise it, they still might.
Get Green Firewood
Buying green firewood is an excellent, easy method for procuring cheap firewood—but it does require you to plan.You can often buy green firewood at a reduced price. It's pre-seasoned, so once you buy it, you'll have to leave it in a dry place for a year to allow it to season.
This does require quite a long time commitment, but because of all the money you'll save, it may be worth it to you.
Popular Places to Buy Firewood
If none of these cheap or free firewood options appeal to you, consider buying from these places with firewood. While they aren't exactly inexpensive, you'll know that the wood you are getting is quality and will quickly burn.
Lowe's
Check out your localLowe's for some relatively affordable firewood options. They have the firewood from brands like TimberTote, Bundle of Warmth, and FireMaster. Not only do they sell firewood in small sizes and bulk, but they also have firestarter sticks and lighters so they can serve as your one-stop-shop for fires this season.
1-cu ft Firewood
Special cuts for fire pits, fireplaces, and chimineas. Natural Mosquito Repellent
Home Depot
One of the best things aboutHome Depot'sfirewood selection is that they provide you with many quality options. You can buy from industry-leading brands like Duraflame, Fat Wood, and Pure Garden. Unlike Lowes, though, they have a lack of bulk firewood options.
5 lb. Earth Friendly Fire Logs (6-Pack)
Features a quick-lighting design and longer burn time Suitable for use in a fireplace or fire pit. Features non-toxic construction
Amazon
You really can buy anything onAmazon! While their firewood selection isn't especially large, and the firewood they do carry is on the expensive side, there is something to be said for the ease of being able to order firewood right to your front door.
Smoak Firewood - Kiln Dried Premium Oak Firewood
Box size 16H x 16W x 18L (60-70lbs), logs are cut 16inch in length, includes firestarter. USDA Certified pest free, 100% organic product of the U.S.A. Harvested fresh from Georgia and kiln-dried to perfection. Lights easily, burns cleaner and hotter than other products! Quality wood that can be used as firewood or cooking wood.
Conclusion
There's no need to burn up all your money on firewood! You can get inexpensive, free, and quality firewood from these incredible places, or even consider alternatives likeelectric fireplaces.
I hope you found this guide helpful! If you did, be sure to share it and comment below with and firewood questions.
