To ensure the optimal quality of its firewood, it is necessary to take into account certain points, including the species of wood in question, the climate, the soil, and the slope conditions in which it grew. It is also necessary to choose the period in which the wood was cut and the way it was dried and cut. In this article, let’s take a look at how to cut firewood, the ideal time to cut it, and the best way to store it. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn more about the subject at hand.
What does the law say?
In addition to being economical and ecological, cutting wood in the forest also allows you to let the remaining trees grow. However, there are rules to respect so that you can operate legally. You should know that if you have your partial wood and you cut trees for your rural and domestic consumption needs, excluding timber, you do not need special authorization. However, the amount of this tax is not very high and costs much less than buying firewood. To have all the information concerning this, you just have to contact your town hall like all the other applicants. The latter will then draw lots and allocate a plot to the luckiest person.
What type of tree should I choose?
Knowing that the objective is to have the most permanent heat possible, it is then advisable to choose the woods which burn the longest. Oak, beech, ash, and hornbeam are some of the hardwoods to choose from. This does not mean that soft woods such as pine, fir, fruit trees, or poplar are not useful. They have the advantage of lighting up quickly. Therefore, it is better to mix these two types of wood. Softwoods will light up quickly, but they produce heat for a short time.
Meanwhile, hardwoods take time to ignite and then produce heat that lasts longer. Note that softwoods such as conifers will clog the flue of your chimney. It is, therefore, necessary to minimize their use or even avoid them. Similarly, woods that cause sparks, such as chestnut, should also be avoided. They may cause a fire, especially when the windows are open.
When is the best time to cut firewood?
The ideal time to cut trees is when they contain the least amount of sap. When the moon is waning, when there is no sap in the trees, or during the winter season, cutting is done between the time the leaves fall and the winter solstice. While the trees are in vegetative rest and the sun is descending, the sap goes back down into the roots to face the cold season.
What are the best practices for storing wood?
Firstly, the wood is skidded when the soil is frozen during the cold season or when it starts to dry in May or June. This is to preserve the quality of the forest soil and to avoid damaging the vegetation. Secondly, once cut, the wood must be put to dry for about two years. During this time, they must reach a certain level of humidity. Therefore, they should be transported between November and December. It is best to store them outside, in a ventilated area, especially under a well-ventilated log cabin.
Before cutting the wood, it is necessary to equip yourself with the appropriate material, such as an electric or thermal chainsaw, a log saw, an axe, a merlin, and a splitting wedge.
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