Selfsufficientish.com

hi

I seem to have it in my head that one can help oneself to fallen wood in woodlands for use in fires. i.e. it is legal to collect wood from various woodlands as long as you don't actually remove it from the tree.

Obviously I'm aware that I can't just drive into some blokes private and start chucking wood into my trailer. but near me there is a road with a strip of semi woodland along it for a good 2 miles and I'm considering going to have a look for wood to burn on my fire. That really would be free energy.

Also I used to live next door to a hermit who used to do the very same thing. Occasionally you would see him waling past with a huge branch from a tree from local woods for his fireplace.

any knowledge?

Sorry, not all that useful but I did a quick google and came across this:

http://www.wasteonline.org.uk/resources ... s/Wood.htm

that may lead to some answers.... do let me know if you find anything...

fanks

even though I'm an internet addict it hadn't occurred to me to do a google search

i found this so far

http://home.clara.net/steve.thackery/st ... naging.htm

I have an open fire but am planning to put a stove right in the centre of my house (central heating) . My dad has one and has the smoke pipe thing going through an upstairs bedroom keeping that very warm in winter.

i did hear that aga's can heat a house too?

If there is forrestry commision land nearby you can buy a woodgathering permit, but you're not allowed to take any vehicle in to get it, nor cut anything (they leave it pre-cut and stacked at intervals), nor use any kind of trailer or trolley. Which seemed like a pile of poo to me seeing as a vanload of logs from our local tree surgeon is only £50. Haven't needed any though since we've had to fell a number of trees since we bought this place!

I have a friend who gets all his wood from a local double glazing firm. They have to dispose of all the old window frames anyway, so he goes down there with a chainsaw and takes what he wants. Less money out for him, less landfill tax for them.

gotta be careful with the paint on old windows though - I'm not sure I'd fancy that with an open fire with the doors shut!

Simony you could put in a back boiler if you have an open fire, or a Rayburn, both will run radiators but I don't think an Aga can.

den_the_cat wrote:gotta be careful with the paint on old windows though - I'm not sure I'd fancy that with an open fire with the doors shut!

Simony you could put in a back boiler if you have an open fire, or a Rayburn, both will run radiators but I don't think an Aga can.

We've got a back boiler on an aga and could add radiators onto that.... however, Aga's are more designed for coal than wood....

that's interesting about the woodgathers permit from the FC... I shall look into that.. I take it that they don't object to horses pulling it out then? hehe *cogs turning already*

I'm not sure if it's a different agreement that Hedgewizard refers to, but some years ago I got a permit for Forestry Commission land up here in Scotland.
I paid about £60 for the month I think and was allowed to take any wood from the forest I wanted in that time, as long as I didn't take trees down.
As I'm a qualified chainsaw operator, I was allowed to take my chainsaw in to cut it to managable lumps too (you have to show the commission your certificate to prove you are qualified)
and was also allowed to take the Land Rover and big trailer in with me.
So we got tons that month and saved a fortune from not buying overpriced logs from others.
However, the Land Rover is now gone and the trailer has broken
I suppose I could see what I can fit in the back of my Panda, or on the back of my motorbike!..

That sounds good LA - we've got a landie but no trailer as yet... I think David has a chainsaw certificate. I'll have to look into it as we'll hopefully hae the woodburning stove working for this year.

Just got to get the chimney built up again and a liner for it and bob's your uncle. I can't wait... although it's been sitting in a box for the last 7 months so I guess I won't hold my breath

hedgewizard wrote: I have a friend who gets all his wood from a local double glazing firm. They have to dispose of all the old window frames anyway, so he goes down there with a chainsaw and takes what he wants. Less money out for him, less landfill tax for them.

One of my neighbours works for a double glazing firm. It's not the old windows he takes home, it's all their packaging - very sturdy crates, which are made up individually for each load, and never used again! So no paint to worry about. He gets a lorry load every 6 weeks or so, and by now I think it's three families doing most of their heating with that. (I've also "rescued" some of the crates as plant boxes...)

Well I have a wood Burner, Free Heating & Hot water, Ref Timber;
Contact Local Builders/Roofers, the amount of timber they throw into Skips is huge, Arrange to collect from there sites, or [Like I do] get them to throw it over the wall at the bottom of your garden, ive got around 2 years of timber ; Needless to say I save all timber from my work, adding to the pile "Down The Garden".
I also do a bit of Tree cutting/Removal, even More free timber.

Paul

I collect scrap wood from someone who is making a boat.. he is glad to get rid of the off cuts etc.. and our local hardware store puts out stuff under a sign saying 'help yourself' - its always broken stuff.. but my woodburner does not mind. and recently arranged to pallets regularly from a company that needs to get rid.. and they were going to burn them...

half the trick is to collect in the summer months when no one else wants it for the fire...

Hi
If you go round the back of many industrial estates you will see piles of pallets. Ask before you take but many businesses will be delighted for you to take them away. The nails are a bit of a pain in a Rayburn as they get stuck in the riddle but they are great for getting a fire started or building it up quickly.

Zoe

It is NOT legal to collect fallen wood from common land. A man collected small amount from Kenley common in Croydon and was arrested, he lost his house and everything. So be very careful, if in doubt, phone the coucil.

Would like to add, If you see a "Skip" Full of Timber, ASK Permission from the householder/Builders, before you help yourselth, Ive never yet known anyone to say NO, But you MUST get permission FIRST.

Paul