Stocking firewood: Don’t be left out in the cold
It’s that time of year when a fire in the fireplace makes your home feel cheery and inviting.
Or maybe you use a wood burner to heat your home as temperatures turn colder.
And there are those who still enjoy a fire in the outdoor fire pit throughout the late autumn months.
So it’s a good time to be thinking about firewood.
Firewood can be as easy to find as visiting a local store.
Dave Planinsek, forester, Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, Forbes State Forest, said tree services and lumber companies sell scraps while cords of wood can be found for sale in classified ads.
For those who are buying, he noted a cord measures 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long.
“A cord of air-dried, hard fire wood is equivalent to one ton of coal or 230 gallons of fuel oil,” said Planinsek.
Local residents with wooded property may like to cut their own throughout the year in preparation for cold weather.
But you can also acquire a permit to cut firewood in Forbes State Forest, which consists of about 60,000 acres in Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
Planinsek shared a brochure on firewood cutting by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry that explains a permit is required to cut firewood in Forbes. The permit can only be used by the person to whom it is issued and must be available at all times while cutting.
Cost is $20 per cord and permits are issued for a maximum of two cords per permit, up to five cords per household per year.
Permits are issued for a four-week period and are void if not used by the expiration date.
The brochure noted firewood cutters must abide by state forest rules and regulations as well as provisions of the permit and those mentioned in the brochure. For example, the brochure notes that firewood cutting is prohibited in Lick Hollow Picnic Area and Quebec Run Wild Area, along Linn Run Road and the Baron Tract among other areas. Firewood cutting is also prohibited in areas marked for timber sales, denoted by signs, or where trees are marked with paint or within fenced deer exclosures.
The brochure’s cutting information includes, “Firewood is standing or down dead wood. Firewood is for personal use only, and may not be resold. The blocking of drainage ditches, pipes and other structures with tops and slash is prohibited. Stump height of cut trees may exceed the diameter of the stump or 12 inches, whichever is smaller. Removal of fuel wood by any method other than hand carrying or wheel barrow is prohibited.”
Normal cutting season is April 1 to the day before rifle bear season. Select areas are open January through March but first check on the availability of firewood and access, the brochure noted.
The brochure also gives firewood tips and rates different types of wood according to their heat content per cord.
Planinsek said, “One of the best trees for heat value is black locust. It’s the hottest and longest burning wood in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, it’s not the easiest wood to split.”
He said many people in the area use white oak, red oak and chestnut oak.
“They have good heating qualities. They’re easy to split and common through our region,” said Planinsek.
The forester said firewood is best when dry, noting you can’t cut down a live tree and expect to use it. Wood should be split and stacked off the ground on pallets, racks or old scraps to dry.
“It’s also best if it’s covered so you don’t get moisture from the weather,” said Planinsek.
He advised leaving wood to dry for a minimum of six months, best for a year.
Planinsek also issued a reminder about safety.
“Running a chainsaw is a dangerous activity. You need to be aware and wear proper safety equipment: eye protection, a hard hat, cut-resistant chaps, ear protection and gloves,” said Planinsek, noting that anyone operating a chainsaw should be trained.
Cutting firewood is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
Planinsek said, “Firewood cutting is good exercise and it’s satisfying to know you’re providing your own source of heat.”
Planinsek noted that Forbes State Forest staff provide land owner assistance and educational programs for residents of Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
More information about cutting firewood in Forbes State Forest is available by calling 724-238-1200.