Wood Scavenging - Forestry Commission

[4Shoes]

Last year we put in a log burner. I'm very pleased with it. Made within a mile of my house and many people who visit bothy's in Scotland will have used one.

A year on and I'm looking for firewood for next year. I was thinking of doing a bit of Wood Scavenging - Forestry Commission Scotland land, but have no idea what I might be letting myself into. I understand you can get a license for £50.00 for 3 months and that you can use "hand tools".

Anyone got experience of Savaging and got any tips. Is a Chain Saw a hand tool?

Advice please - even if it is don't do it - Back breaking work

[Nicos]

You may need to contact your local office -each area may have slightly differing rules.

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/man...rest-districts

[4Shoes]

You may need to contact your local office -each area may have slightly differing rules.

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/man...rest-districts

Thanks Nicos … Yes, I dropped them an email. Still to get back to me regarding process. Also understand that you have to complete a H&S and induction to the site. I also considered getting a load of fire wood delivered, (£20 / tonne circa 2012 Scottish Questions + delivery costs) but don't know if a forestry truck can traverse my 10' cattle grid and if they are prepared to reverse into my yard. Don't have the turning space for an Artic.


Interested in the physical and practical requirements and understanding if it is worth the effort.

Things like -
What size of Trailer?
What season is it best going?
Tools to get. - Hand Winch
Clothing and fashion.

Tip


Even experiences and wild life

[Nicos]

Do you have a double axel trailer
.
Might be worth investing in one then you could collect yourself?

We couldn't cope without ours.

We get through about 15 stères of wood a year (cubic metres-ish) but also have central heating.
Most peeps here need 20 stères a year if that is their only source of heat.

A few years back we had 50 tonnes of tree trunks delivered and cut and split them ourselves...they'll be gone by the end of this winter.

Love the idea of scavenging for wood..we can't do it here. I think...?....?... that scavenging for wood was stopped in England and Wales a few years ago due to health and safety problems.

[Nicos]

£20/ton???cor-that's REALLY good!

I'd go for collecting yr own ( you always wanted a trailer didn't you???)

Tipper trailer is way easier -could you share one with friends/neighbours?

[4Shoes]

Still to get a trailer and yes, twin axel with brakes is what I'm looking at.

Working on 3 to 4 m³ hardwood equated to 5 to 6 of softwood.

Just have to think of other reasons to justify to OH and not just a toy

[Nicos]

So you are looking at about 4 ton axel weight?

It wouldn't be a toy.

The expense of (maybe 2lots of?) snag proof trousers,chainsaw boots and gloves, helmet and face guard...the chainsaw itself with spare chains and a sharpener....fuel....still need a trailer of sorts to get it home ....hand chopping is really hard work so you'd probably end up buying an electric or hydraulic splitter (maybe a generator to use on site)
It's fun to do, but very physicaly demanding compared to a professional using a huuuge multi purpose tool where a tree trunk goes in one end and it spits out 30-100cm split logs ready to store.
It would take several years to get a return on your money from the initial outlay...we've broken even now after 10years!...but it was really good fun.

Remember that many sorts of wood need aging/drying naturally (you'd need a little gadget to tell you the % of water content if you cut yr own) for up to several years otherwise the fire and flue tar up.

Depends on how much effort/time you can spare ....

We're going to have a couple of years off from splitting etc and buy in several tons of prepared wood to stack forthis and next winter.

[4Shoes]

Tell me about splitting wood!
Made the mistake of processing half and then just logging other half when we cut down a hedge. (We now have a view). The wood is well seasoned but a real problem to process. Just about finished 2nd half now. Having to cut into smaller discs and use sledge hammer and maul (with wedges at times). I bought replacement chains when I started 2 years ago. The branded chain still going strong. Cheaper ones do not keep the edge, but good to learn technique with. I just us a round file to keep them sharp and a flat every now and again.


Can only pull a tonne, that is just under 1' on a 8' x 4' trailer. I have a barn so no storage issues at moment.

[nickdub]

I pick-up odds and ends of wood and also used pallets and get enough that way for my wood-burner. I only use my Volvo estate, either stuff that fits inside or will go on the roof.

I do have a chainsaw, but I only use it if dealing with largish chunks, otherwise its all cut with a bow-saw. For the amount of wood I use I don't think its worth the expense of having a trailer or buying other expensive tools.

The other thing is obviously you need at least a good sized wood shed where you can dry stuff. I built a lean-to, open at one end - about 12' x 8' in size and I reckon that's about a workable minimum.

[4Shoes]

I pick-up odds and ends of wood and also used pallets and get enough that way for my wood-burner. I only use my Volvo estate, either stuff that fits inside or will go on the roof.

I do have a chainsaw, but I only use it if dealing with largish chunks, otherwise its all cut with a bow-saw. For the amount of wood I use I don't think its worth the expense of having a trailer or buying other expensive tools.

The other thing is obviously you need at least a good sized wood shed where you can dry stuff. I built a lean-to, open at one end - about 12' x 8' in size and I reckon that's about a workable minimum.

I'll see your Shed and raise you my Tractor Shed - 12 x 48. Just messing. Sheds are not a problem (except you have so much space It's hard to keep them tidy). But yes, it is important keeping it dry

[Scarlet]

I think hand tools aren’t “power tools” so it will be unlikely that you can take in a chain saw. Also if it’s the forestry commission they don’t like vehicles driven in the forest floor...so it may well be small hand saw, rucksack and walking boots

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/man...rewood-permits

It may be cheaper to just buy the logs at the site? We have one near us. You just turn up and load in what they have already collected.

[nickdub]

I agree sheds are not a problem, unless you don't have enough - its some what surprising how much space is needed for drying though, as it takes two years for some sorts of green wood.

Its a bit of a sore subject for me as I only had a 6x6 storage shed here when I moved in, and lack of funds meant that I only just about got enough 20 years later.

[4Shoes]

I think hand tools aren’t “power tools” so it will be unlikely that you can take in a chain saw. Also if it’s the forestry commission they don’t like vehicles driven in the forest floor...so it may well be small hand saw, rucksack and walking boots

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/man...rewood-permits

It may be cheaper to just buy the logs at the site? We have one near us. You just turn up and load in what they have already collected.

Will look into that.

Know that there is some good material left behind mostly around 6" dia or so. And all that ends. Sat and watched them one day coming down. The Machine cuts down the tree. they chop off a 12" end and then cut it up into 16' and 8' lengths depending on trunk size. One toy i'd like to try-out some day.

[Scarlet]

I know many local areas that collecting for personal use isn’t allowed and that the fallen trees/leaves are left to rot down. Though hour area may be less populated?

You may have better luck with posting a question on their website. Not sure which forestry you are looking at?

https://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/...lecting%20wood

[Cadalot]

Defiantly talk to tree surgeons in your area as they may have to pay to dump larger burnable wood that they may be willing to give you or sell to you for a peppercorn amount. The guy down the road who is a Tree Surgeon stacks large lumps out on the kerb and request a donation to Help for Heroes be put through his letter box as he lost a son in the army.