Where to get logs

[PeteB]

I'm part of the group that buys barn dried stuff from a mate that does firewood. Done the thing myself and know how hard producing firewood is, have the scars to prove it too! So am happy to give him a wedge to get a cage of clean, dry, ready to burn logs and pay decent coin for it. Believe me, just stacking beats toiling behind a circular saw, ringing up Arb waste, splitting with an axe etc just to save a few quid but wrecking a weekend!

[openspaceman]

6 hours ago, PeteB said:

I'm part of the group that buys barn dried stuff from a mate that does firewood. Done the thing myself and know how hard producing firewood is, have the scars to prove it too! So am happy to give him a wedge to get a cage of clean, dry, ready to burn logs and pay decent coin for it. Believe me, just stacking beats toiling behind a circular saw, ringing up Arb waste, splitting with an axe etc just to save a few quid but wrecking a weekend!

I agree but not having a job it is good exercise for me. Having been away from work for 8 years it is surprising how few sources of logs are available to me, considering how I used to harvest a few thousand tonnes a year.

[Rustington]

I managed to get a little from FB, but going to need more and a regular source if I’m going to invest into it.

 

The plan is to get a large log burner installed in the centre of the house. Burning through out winter.

this will cost far too much if I’m to by the logs. So need to do some of the chopping and seasoning myself, and I’m happy to, it’s just getting that supply.

[Rob_the_Sparky]

There is no magic bullet, if you need a regular supply then you need a financial arrangement with a local supplier.  If you are accepting cast-offs from arb waste then you can not expect a regular reliable source.

 

Having said that, it might be possible to get more than you need in arb-waste but you will need to build a relationship with one or more local companies and come to an agreeable arrangement for all of you.  It took me a few years to get this arrangement with a local company but there are no guarantees, even if you are spending a cash to make it worth their while.  It is harder if you want cast-offs.

 

Clearly if there is more cash in it for them to keep the wood and sell dried logs then they will, that is business.  If you are lucky then your place will be close to a work site so it is quicker (I.e. cheaper) for the logs to be dropped at yours than take them somewhere else (pretty much how my arrangement works).

[Steven P]

Free logs and you accept what comes and when,

If you want a regular supply then phone up a local tree surgeon or 2 and discuss a price and species, generally a tipper truck load at a time will be fuel + time + some consideration but will be less than the equivalent dried logs. Might be you get lucky and the tree surgeons will just ask a nominal amount to give you a regular supply.

 

I'd go with a regular supply rather than a huge amount all at once because then you can see progress working through a log pile.

 

Sounds like talking to the tree surgeons is the way to go here, free stuff tends to be softwoods - which are great but you do need to fuel more regularly, hardwoods are the premium but are easier for heating large areas

[doobin]

On 12/02/2025 at 08:30, Rustington said:

I managed to get a little from FB, but going to need more and a regular source if I’m going to invest into it.

 

The plan is to get a large log burner installed in the centre of the house. Burning through out winter.

this will cost far too much if I’m to by the logs. So need to do some of the chopping and seasoning myself, and I’m happy to, it’s just getting that supply.

You could try local forestry contractors or estates for a tractor and trailer load of cordwood delivered. 
 

or a local sawmill for slab wood offcuts. 

[Stubby]

I know this is a silly idea but is there not a local log merchant merchat who sell cut and split logs , ready to burn ?

[NJA]

7 hours ago, Stubby said:

I know this is a silly idea but is there not a local log merchant merchat who sell cut and split logs , ready to burn ?

This might be a better step up if you're used to buying in small bags from supermarket etc.  Keep an eye out for 'logs for sale' signs nearby or speak to friends/neighbours who have fires, or a quick Google search 

If you can buy bulk bag or loose loads by the m3 from a proper log merchant it'll be much better stuff and cheaper than supermarkets, and for now easier than processing/drying your own.

[Rustington]

13 hours ago, doobin said:

You could try local forestry contractors or estates for a tractor and trailer load of cordwood delivered. 
 

or a local sawmill for slab wood offcuts. 

I have tried this.

they said it’s council owned. Trying to get a name or number to contact there.

[Rustington]

12 hours ago, Stubby said:

I know this is a silly idea but is there not a local log merchant merchat who sell cut and split logs , ready to burn ?

It’s been fine with what we have. But a bigger log burner burning for longer just isn’t sustainable.