I think this is a fair statement. I have also asked myself this same question. My sister in law's boyfriend in High school had to quit school at 16. He would cut, split and deliver 2 cords per day, by "hand" (chainsaw, hydraulic splitter). He was a big kid, and young. There is no way I could have done that day after day when I was his age. I think the chance to make money increased with the firewood processer. Based on that, I think I could easily do 2 cords per day (at 53 years old). I've actually run the numbers. Based on being able to buy a log length load of hardwood for $600, knowing that my ancient WoodEze processor can process wood at 1/2 to 3/4 cords per hour, knowing the rate at which my tractor consumes fuel and the mileage of my truck I figured I could make $45/hour by working 88 hours per month. Not a ton of money, but not bad to supplement my retirement. Of course, by the time I retire (9 years hopefully!) log loads will cost more, but then again I should be able to sell it for more as well. Plus, if I make the improvements to my processor that I plan, I am hoping to get closer to 1 cord/hour.
Here is another good thread to review: Responsible Wood-Burning or How to Not Make Your Neighbours Your Enemies
$200 to $300 per cord in my area, those who claim it's "seasoned" are misrepresenting it. Or more likely, our idea of seasoned is not theirs.
Pricey, If I remember correctly you are from the White Oak area (really miss that lake). I am 120 miles south of you. Towns directly adjacent to mine are getting $240-275/cord for all hardwood. Go 20 miles north and the price drops to $180-220/ cord. Nobody around here advertises that they have green wood for sale, but many will sell what they split a month earlier.
I used to buy from two old guys that cut wood to supplement their SS money. They finally retired this year and I found a new wood source. I do cut and process a lot on my farm, but time requirements from school and the farm with no helpers, makes it tight. So I bought a load from this guy, he claimed a cord and a third. I measured out my wood shed and stacked the first load. Based on the calculator provided by FHC, I got 1.4 cords from him for $240.00. So, before snow flies and he runs out of wood, had him deliver two more loads, will get them stacked in the shed, all are black and red oak. Will be the wood for the COLD weather. Have a wood lot with rounds starting to rot, working on them now and using the serviceable wood in this hit and miss temp season.
Around here in southern Indiana they sell by what they call a Rick 4 x8 16 to 18 inches long I seen as low as 40 a Rick to some selling what they call premium for 70 before I got bless with getting free wood I bought 4 Rick's of hickory mixed with hard maple for 40 a Rick from a preacher and it was actually season wood I got lucky cause I have seen people get shafted buying what they thought was season wood that actually wasn't
The guys that have firewood processors and huge piles of fresh cut and split firewood that they like to advertise pictures of are getting $250 for their "seasoned firewood" some of which they'll gladly cut to length for you.LOL Some of the tree guys sell anything straight enough to go thru their processor to those guys who make big mountains of splits. Dirt and rocks picked up with the loader bucket are no extra charge. There's one guy that had an ad for 2 or 3 year stacked seasoned red oak for $375, but that ad didn't run long. But $250 is pretty much the average going rate for mixed hardwood. None of it is very well seasoned.
Around my neck of the woods it depends on the species. Pine/Cedar is about 175-225 a cord (you pick up). Oak is 300 (again you pick up). Like everywhere else you'll get the occasional shyster with a pickup trying to call a bed load a cord. They're like roaches around February/March lookin' to take advantage of people (especially the elderly) who ran out and are desperate. "275 take or leave it". It really irks me because these guys give firewood a bad name. The new thing in town outside of where I live are the tweakers stealing wood. Last year I was talkin' with a lady that works at one of the local stores in town. She's in her 60's and obviously can't retire and is on a fixed income. She said that someone came and stole some of her wood. She said that she saves up the whole year to buy wood for the winter. She said that she was going to stake out her wood pile with her Smith and make an example of anyone who stole her wood again. I get the feelin' that she'll be OK.
I have a camera on the stacks closer to the road just in case that happens it's really sad but the drugs have taken over and you see it every where you go
My neighbor has a insert old smoke dragon I can tell when he is burning by the smell and the smoke lingering in the air
Yeah it's sad. You see some of them and it's like real life Night of the Living Dead. They're total zombies. The only thing they understand is force so I make sure that my property gives off that vibe (if you know what I mean). They just move on to another house that looks weaker.
Oh ya I know what u mean we had a guy show up here other day didn't knock use door bell or anything I thought I heard talking about the time my dogs did I stood up and seen him at same time my dogs did I have a storm door in my sunroom and good thing it was locked 2 100 plus pound pups a piece jump up there and I never seen anyone move as fast as he did lol I told them good boys if someone comes in that's not suppose to daddy will buy you both a big steak if you keep doing your job lol
About 20 minutes away..from around now thru cold weather theres an auction for firewood tueaday n saturday. I have seen pickup loads of black locust go as low 60.00...15-20% moisture. On average...70.00 a load. Sometimes trailers come in with a mix of hardwoods for 120.00. You learn which ones you can trust n ones you cant. I enjoy goin over to see what firewood brings week to week n how temps effect bids
Wood in upstate NY typically sells by the face cord (1/3 cord) for anywhere between $60 and $85. If it's over that usually it's probably listed as "free delivery". The only guy I've bought from who actually sells fairly seasoned wood charges $75/face cord but pick up only. I've only bought it in a pinch as I'm mostly a scrounger so I dont mind at all picking up a facecord if need be.
That's wild, auctioning pickup loads of firewood without the internet! Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling that some people prefer the old ways.
I know Maine state law now says firewood can only be sold by the cord. 4x4x8 That was passed some time ago when face cords first started getting popular and there were some who took advantage of the confusion. Some places were trying to sell by weight also to make things even more confusing. I don’t remember the year exactly, but it seems to have had the desired effect. Too bad they don’t pass a law standardizing the definition of seasoned wood, green, KD, etc. Then we’d really know what we’re buying.
Its a huge Mennonite Community....thats who owns the auction house. There quite a few Minnonite millionaires. They are descent people to deal with.
PA has the same law...i have never heard of it ever being enforced. I totally agree on the seasoned wood...but...they probly wouldnt enforce that either...
I guess if I had to buy wood, I'd buy 2-3 years in advance, then I know what I've got. Around here $ 45.00 to $ 65.00 per "face" cord is average. Oak, Hard Maple & Hickory bring $250.00 ish per cord picked up. I did buy about 6 cord in log form from some young guys that needed money. They delivered when they said & I got it for $ 75.00 per cord. Oak & Cherry. That was 2 1/2 years ago. That's on the menu for this winter. I guess my thoughts are know what you're buying & assume it's not well enough seasoned to burn now. P.S. There's not a snowball's chance that I'd sell seasoned Oak, Hard Maple, Ash etc. for less than $ 500.00 cord. Too much expense in making & drying it. I don't begrudge an honest wood seller his money, tough work for minimal profit.
