Hi all, I am curious for those that work with tree or landscaping companies, what kind of deal is made to have logs dropped at your property? Are you paying them a small amount to dump logs? The hardest part for me getting wood in Wyoming is that I have to travel 30-60 miles each way and an F150 only carries 1/2-3/4 cord of wood. It seems like the most economical route is having logs dropped on your property. I'd like to sell 8-10 cords a year to offset the 8 cords I split for myself. Thanks, Zack
Try Chip Drop. Some people get good logs this way. Some people get nothing. It's a bit of a lottery. Free Wood Chip Mulch | ChipDrop
I can attest to that, atleast in my area of Ontario anyway. But saying that, still haven't won the lottery either!
Best chance for free wood from tree service is to find the one located closest to you and go talk to them in person. Offer your yard as a dump site for wood on their way home each day. This would make sense for them logistically. Obvious other option for free wood is if you see or hear a tree service working in your area, stop and ask if you can have the wood. This isn’t as consistent an option, but tends to work well. Chip drop is a good option but now costs the arborist money. As a recipient, you can offset or completely pay the arborists cost, which isn’t that much, but it will help you stand out on the chip drop map and possibly get you more wood. Good luck!
One of the best ways is to contact one of your local tree guys, on the job while they are working, and inquire about the wood. Sometimes they'll tell you to come and get all you want for free, sometimes they'll even drop loads off for you for a fee (or even a tip), but be careful when asking for wood delivery because they may turn your property into a dump site.....lol... I'd look into going and getting wood directly from the jobsite, and taking what you can handle if you can't be sure they are going to be reliable in bringing you only what you can handle. Once they know what you can handle and what you are looking for, they may strike up a deal with yas. A tip is nice (gift certificate to a restaurant, box of donuts, case of beer, etc) and will ensure you'll get in good with the crew....
My first year on ChipDrop got me about 6 loads, most of it decent wood. I got hooked up with a couple of those tree services who then contacted me directly. I've seen nothing from ChipDrop in over a year now. I work with 5-6 tree services, none of them reliable to get consistent loads dropped. That's why I work with several. You have to have room that is easily accessible, dry and preferable a place to turn around. I take chips as well and don't complain if I get soft wood. The pickier you are, the less likely they will be inclined to work with you. I've had success pulling up on active jobs and either loading on-the-spot or giving them my address to dump if it is close. I ran across a few tree services on Marketplace looking for places to dump (including last night) so I always message my address and let them know what I'll take. I've never tipped, but that's often because loads get dumped when I'm not around. Can't hurt to try if given the opportunity. Good luck and keep us updated!
X2 only ive never tried chip drop. Have you tried looking on facebook marketplace and/or Craigs list for free wood Zack323?
When I lived in the burbs west of Denver, I had a few tree companies drop wood for free in my driveway. There were a lot of smaller companies, lots of trees and hardly any crazy wood horders like myself in the city so it was relatively easy to get a constant supply. Saved those guys paying dump fees and travel time to the dump so they were happy to dispose of it. One other thing, I kept a stash of cervezas in the form of bud light for the tree guys as a tip. Usually a 12 pack per load.
I have 2 companies that supply my wood. The first and most consistent had a CL ad for wanting a place to dump. He's dropped probably 10 times with his 14 ft dump trailer, and he got a Christmas card with $300 in it last year. The other guy has a Chevy dump truck, he's dumped 1 load of mega-ash. Both guys refused my offer to leave a case of beer or bottle of booze. I've reached out to many many tree services, get no response alot of the times. Got a tiny bit of wood from approaching jobsites.
Most tree companies around here keep their trees and cut and split the wood and sell it as a value added aspect of their business.
I’ve been through Douglas many times, so I’m sure decent firewood is a bit of a challenge to procure. Mostly cottonwoods around, correct? And some ash maybe along the river and creeks? If you have a reliable source of wood 30 or so miles away, maybe even just taking a trailer with you could double your payload.
Correct, mostly Cottonwood in the immediate area around Douglas. If you go into the mountains, you'll find Aspen, Ponderosa and Lodgepole. I've taken a trailer but the roads to areas where you can cut aren't that trailer friendly, especially for turning around. I did reach out to the city Landfill and they have a tree debris and log area I'm going to check out.
If it’s like the one In my town, you will have to keep a constant check on it. Anything worthwhile gets grabbed up pretty quick. Like a duck on a June bug!
I have used a truck and trailer in the past to get as much wood as I can in one trip. They would load it up for me with a tractor.
A neighbor and good friend of mine also happens to be a tree guy. If he's working in the neighborhood he'll ask me if I want what he's cutting, and his crew will dump the logs they don't chip in my backyard. We've had this arrangement for years and it works out very well for me. When we go out with our wives I never let him pay for drinks and dinner.
I've gotten a fair amount from tree guys here, but we have lots of trees. I just stop by a job site when the saws are running. I let them dump chips and will take evergreen trees as well, that makes it easier on them.
Tried the landfill today. I'm sure there is a ton of wood here but when a big skid loader pushes them tight into tall piles, it's hard to get to much (lots of limbs/bushes hiding logs). There are some 40"+ cottonwood logs but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. Hoping to help identify a few of these species. It's 5 miles from my house, so it's worth stopping in once a week to see if anything good has arrived. Came home with Cottonwood, Ponderosa, Aspen and some I can't identify. Zack
Same in my area. Almost all hardwoods will be taken by the company. Poplar spruce and pine will usually be left on the street and posted on Kijiji/Facebook Marketplace. You have to be fast because those get snapped up very fast. I've tried getting in touch with a few companies and nothing has come from it.
