From the forest to the furnace – December firewood collection

Pretty much every day, going outside and getting firewood has been what is on the agenda. Luckily the weather has been pretty mild the last few weeks. But with the forecast calling for mornings in 15F(-9C) degree range I know the furnace will need lots of wood to keep the homestead warm.

Using old firewood is preferred, when I have to cut up freshly fallen trees they are (green) and have much of their sap and water inside. These do not burn well, so I am always on the lookout for fallen trees. Or even better are dead standing trees, as they have not been laying in wet ground and are usually very dry.

Taking my morning items with me. Coffee, water, gloves and a hat if I get cold. I usually take that cap off as soon as I am done driving and start processing wood. Get too hot in it, but might not be saying that later in a few days.. lol Mornings have been warm, but soon they will be quite awful to work in..So getting as much done now is preferred.

Starting off the day, I got enough to get us through maybe 1.5 days. But I want to stack up closer to a weeks worth, maybe optimistic but much more than I got now.

Collecting some downed trees along the forest road I take back a UTV beds worth of trees.

The smaller stuff makes good fire starting tinder, and the larger branches and logs kept sustain once lit.

Mostly small and medium sized wood, if it gets cold enough having larger logs help too.

Not sure what kind of fungi this is, but it looks happy.

I know these logs are old when they are growing fungi on them.. perfect time to burn them.

Coming back down the forest road with my firewood I see a good tree to cut down soon. Its a dead pine, the top has snapped off. Excellent source for firewood.

I take a few loads back to the wood furnace, the more heavy loads I need to drive my UTV in low to make it up the hill.

Feels good to collect the firewood and have a source of heat for my homes. It heats the water heaters and provides us with central heating. Collecting the firewood is and burning it, and feeling that heat is the fruits of the labor.

Making a nice pile of firewood. Just need to cut them down a little bit and they are ready to throw into the furnace.

Soon I will collect more and add it to the pile, always spotting new trees to pull firewood from that are already dead. And if I want to collect them from the ground there is a near endless amount to find.

For the next few months this will be pretty much a daily activity, finding more firewood.. processing it and burning.