According to U.S. Energy Information Administration, the residential sector is the second-largest user of wood energy in the United States with the main purpose being home heating.
A cord of firewood costs about $300 on average and it’s recommended to have 2-3 cords per 1,000 square feet of heating space, so you can expect to spend anywhere from $600 to up to $2000 on firewood per season.
Using multiple ways to get free firewood you can get enough to satisfy your needs, either if it is a necessity such as heating or cooking or just stocking up for a camping trip or barbecue party.
How to get?Offers availableWhat tools needed?Facebook MarketplaceBrowse free listings, contact ownerVariousTransport, cutting equipmentCraigslistBrowse free listings, contact ownerVariousTransport, cutting equipmentFacebook GroupsJoin groups, ad postsVarious, depends on locationTransport, cutting equipmentNational Forest PermitObtain permit, gather woodVarious, depends on locationTransport, cutting equipmentNextDoorJoin groups, ad posts, browse free listingsVarious, depends on locationTransport, cutting equipmentOfferUpBrowse free listings, contact ownerVarious, depends on locationTransport, cutting equipmentChipDropJoin waiting listWood mulch, log offers limitedStorage space, tools to clean up the pileShipping palletsVisit local businessesMostly wooden palletsTransport, tools to remove nailsTree Care CompaniesContact local businessesVarious, depends on locationTransportOffer Tree Cutting ServicesPost job offer adsLogs, branchesCutting and safety equipmentLocal SawmillsContact local businessesVarious, depends on locationTransport
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook is one of the most used social media platforms in the world with almost 3 billion active monthly users. So it is not a surprise that Facebook Marketplace is one of the best ways not only to sell or buy a variety of items but also to find free firewood offers.
Using Facebook Marketplace you will see listings in your neighborhood area, and you can set a distance radius to up to 500 miles.
The number and type of listings vary depending on your location, so it’s better to check for new offers regularly.
Keep in mind, that as with all free offers, free firewood deals are snapped up very quickly, so do not hesitate and contact the owner immediately after you find the right offer.
Free firewood number of listings on Facebook Marketplace (distance radius set to 60 miles)
LocationNumber of OffersPortland23Seattle38Minneapolis18Pittsburgh33
Craigslist
Craigslist is another good option when it comes to finding free stuff, including free firewood.
Even if Craigslist has fewer offers than Facebook Marketplace just using Craigslist alone you can get plenty of free firewood to cover the demand for wood, whether its for house heating, cooking, camping, or other projects.
Similarly, as on Facebook Marketplace, free offers are in high demand and disappear quickly’ even though the listing is active free firewood can be already gone, so contact owners and schedule pickup as soon as you can.
Also, if you can afford to drive a longer distance, make sure to browse nearby towns or city listings as well.
A number of free firewood listings on Craigslist compared to Facebook Marketplace:
LocationNumber of OffersCondition of firewoodPortland10Very good, most of them are cutSeattle21Very good, some are cut, few pallete offersMinneapolis6Very good, lot of large pieces, will need tools to cutPittsburgh7Good, most of them are cut
Facebook Groups
If you don’t need free firewood right away and can wait for an offer you can join different groups within your neighborhood.
For example, the public group “Free Firewood” has 9.4K members and people post requests for free firewood. If there is a member in the group that has what you are looking for you’ll simply get a message and after arranging the details – free firewood.
To find more groups and make the process efficient make sure to:
Filter search results by City – you will see groups related to your area only
Check the date of the last post in the Group – this will help to know if the group is still active
Check the number of members – the more members group has the higher chances of getting free firewood
National Forest Permit
In the United States, many wild forests are still available as firewood sources. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) website provides an up-to-date list of public lands available for harvesting firewood in each state nationwide.
Additionally, the BLM also offers information on safety and regulations associated with cutting down trees and collecting firewood, so it is important to check their website before doing so.
Getting a permit is not free and costs about $5, but it’s still a great way to get firewood. Keep in mind, that permit costs vary on the state and terms of each forest and are valid from 3 months to more than a year.
StatePermit priceWashington$5.50/cordIdaho$5/cordCaliforniafrom $6 to $12 per cordNevadafrom $5 to $12 per cordWyomingfrom $5 to $7.50 per cordUtahfrom $5 to $6 per cordColoradofrom $5 to $10 per cordArizona$50/cordNew Mexico$12/cord
You will get your permit delivered to your email, so you should print it and have it with you when gathering firewood.
Additionally, some national parks may offer permission to collect dead or fallen wood from specific areas within the park, provided that all necessary permits have been obtained beforehand. By exploring these options carefully and responsibly, individuals can get access to large amounts of free firewood while helping conserve our natural resources at the same time.
NextDoor
When it comes to getting free firewood one of the best ways to ask your local community and the best way to do it is Nextdoor. This is the platform created to connect and ease communication with neighbors currently having over 249,000 neighborhood groups.
By joining Nextdoor you will be able to see conversations on various topics, join groups to connect with like-minded neighbors, get notifications on upcoming events and of course browse free listings.
The best way to get free firewood on Nextdoor is either post a request in your local group and ask if anyone is willing to give away unused wood or browse free listings and contact your neighbors.
To join Nextdoor and be able to browse groups and free firewood listings you will need to sign up and confirm your residential street address – only then you will be assigned to existing neighborhood groups.
OfferUp
OfferUp is another marketplace that can be used to find free firewood offers. Both buyers and sellers must create profiles that can be rated after each transaction. This means that when you find someone who is “offering up” free firewood, it’s easier to avoid scammers.
As for all marketplaces number of offers depends on location and season. Even though the possibility to find free firewood offers is high.
For example:
LocationNumber of offersOptionsOrlando, FL15From large logs to palletsNashville, TN6Logs, branchesSeattle, WAMore than 50Trees, logs, palletsDenver, CO17Branches, firewood, palettes
ChipDrop
Wood chips are a great and cheap firewood alternative to heat a home, but to burn effectively a large amount of wood is needed. To gel a truckload of wood chips you can use ChipDrop service that matches people who want free wood chips with arborists and tree companies who are trying to get rid of it. Additionally, to mulch, ChipDrop can deliver free firewood logs as well.
By signing up you will be asked for your preferences and added to the waiting list and if wood chips are available in your area ChipDrop will drop a load to you. Once you get the delivery you are crossed out of the list automatically.
Using ChipDrop can save you a lot of money and get you free firewood, but it has a few downsides as well:
You won’t be notified when the load is delivered
The whole truckload will be dropped off in your driveway so you will need to sort that out yourself
Wood chips are usually mixed with dirt and grass so it may not be best to use as firewood
Delivery of wood logs is rare and only an addition to wood chips
Shipping Pallets
Shipping pallets, lumber, and other cut and dried scrap wood are good for firewood. Visit small hardware, pet, and grocery stores where you’re a regular customer and ask if they have wood pallets. If they don’t have pallets, ask them to be notified when they are available.
Often, small stores discard wood pallets because they have no use for them, yet they’re great for firewood.
However, you shouldn’t use just any wood pallets. Here are some precautions you should take if you decide to get wood pallets from small stores:
Check for nails and screws: avoid getting wood pallets with many nails and screws, as they can be unsafe to burn, or make sure to remove them before using the pallets to start a fire.
Use pallets for outdoor fires: if pallets are treated with pain or other materials use them for outdoor fires such as campfires or bonfires rather than indoor ones.
Avoid getting pallets made from treated wood because they can produce toxic fumes when burnt. If you come across pallets with MB (methyl bromide) or SF (sulfuryl fluoride) labels, do not burn them.
Here’s how to check wood pallet labels to determine if they are safe for burning:
MarkingExplanationIs it safe?HTHeat TreatmentYesKDKiln DriedYesDHDielectric HeatedYesMBMethyl BromideNoDBDebarkedNoSFSulfuryl FluorideNo
Tree Care Companies
Call several tree care companies to inquire whether they give away free firewood. You can find tree care companies near you on listing sites like Yelp, Angi, and HomeAdvisor. While some companies already have systems to dispose of surplus firewood, others don’t.
As a result, they may allow you to pick up firewood from sites after projects or even drop it off at your home, so, don’t hesitate to make calls.
When you make the calls, remember to ask about the type of wood offered, its suitability for firewood, and its size, as you may need to cut it down to length. Also, inquire whether the company offers free delivery. Some companies don’t offer free delivery, so you may need to make your own delivery arrangements.
Offer Tree Cutting Services
One of the ways to get free firewood can be by offering a tree-cutting or trimming service in exchange for wood. As this option requires your time, physical effort, and the right tools it may not be the best option, but definitely wort considering if you have experience.
To find such jobs you can:
Post job offer ad on Craigslist
Post job offer ad on NextDoor
Post job offer ad on Facebook Groups
To complete offer tree cutting service you will need tools such as a ladder, chainsaw, axe, and safety equipment: a hard hat, work gloves, work boots, eye protection, and ear protection.
Local Sawmills
Sawmills can be a great way to get free firewood. According to IBISWorld 2023 data there are 2,376 Sawmills & Wood Production Businesses in the US.
Sawmills have large amounts of scrap wood they cannot use and will often give away for free. It is also much more convenient than sourcing wood from forests or other sources, as you only need to travel short distances and don’t need special tools or permits.
Not only does going to sawmills offer a great way of obtaining free firewood, but it also helps support local businesses and provides an eco-friendly alternative for those who don’t want to contribute to further deforestation.
To find local sawmills you can use Sawmill Locator and contact them via email or phone and ask if they have any free firewood or leave your contacts in case they have it in the future.
Freecycle.org
Freecycle.org is a nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their local areas. Using the platform is free and allows you to join your local communities and find free firewood offers within minutes.
A number of offers depending on your location, but it can be an easy way to stock up.
Browsing listings are not very user-friendly as you can not see the image of the offer, but it might be an option to check out anyways.
Freecycle has 5,000 local Town groups with over 9 million members across the globe and an app that you can download on App Store or Google Play.
FAQs
What type of firewood is suitable for heating a house?
Both hardwoods and softwoods are suitable for heating a house. Generally, hardwoods like maple, cherry, and beech are better than softwoods like cedar, spruce, and pine because they burn hotter for longer. Here’s the burning efficiency of various types of wood.
WoodTypeHeat valueAppleHardwoodHighMapleHardwoodHighAshHardwoodHighPineSoftwoodLowBeechHardwoodHighBirchHardwoodMediumCottonwoodHardwoodLowCedarSoftwoodLowOakHardwoodHighSpruceSoftwoodLowWalnutHardwoodLowCherry HardwoodMedium
What type of firewood to avoid?
Some types of firewood shouldn’t be burned in a wood stove or fireplace because they produce toxic fumes that can harm your health. Additionally, some other varieties are highly flammable and can cause chimney fires.
Bearing that in mind, do not burn the following:
Green or unseasoned wood
Painted or stained wood
Pressure treated wood
Plywood, chipboard, or particleboard
Driftwood
How to store and season firewood?
Freshly cut wood, commonly known as green or unseasoned wood, usually contains a lot of moisture, so it doesn’t burn as hot. This makes it unsuitable for heating homes. It can also cause excessive creosote to build up in your chimney. Creosote is a byproduct of burnt wood that can clog your chimney and even cause fires if it builds up to high levels.
If you get free green firewood, you’ll need to season it first. Seasoning refers to the process of drying out firewood to reduce its moisture. Follow these steps to season firewood:
Cut the wood to size: Smaller pieces of wood dry faster than larger pieces. Cut large pieces down to size to speed up the seasoning process.
Place the wood in a sunny location: Put the wood in a spot with adequate sunlight and good airflow. Additionally, arrange the wood in rows with gaps between the pieces to allow air to circulate throughout the wood.
Cover the wood: While exposing unseasoned wood to sunlight and wind can enhance seasoning, you should protect it from rain and snow. Cover the wood with a tarp or waterproofing material to keep it dry. However, leave some gaps at the sides to allow air to circulate throughout the wood so it doesn’t rot.
Wait for 6 to 24 months: Seasoning can take 6 months to 2 years, depending on the climate and type of wood. Wood dries faster in dry and warm areas compared to cold areas. Additionally, softwoods usually dry faster than hardwoods. You can ascertain whether your wood has dried completely using a moisture meter. Just take a piece of wood that has been seasoning for at least 6 months, split it in two, and measure the moisture content inside the split piece.
Once you confirm the wood is dry, store it in a dry location and cover it with a waterproof material to protect it from the elements. Additionally, keep the firewood off the ground to protect it from moisture and leave gaps to allow air circulation.
When to gather free firewood?
Winter is the best time to gather firewood because green wood typically requires about 12 months to dry completely. Therefore, while it may sound counterintuitive, gathering firewood during the winter can ensure you have seasoned firewood the following winter.
