This is the Motto i try to live by when it comes to cutting wood. ''CALL BEFORE YOU HAUL'' Around here, the sheriffs dept has a ''woods deputy'' that keeps an eye on the logging sites. Trust me, if you cut, load, or take any wood you do not have a permit for, they will ticket you. Plus, the timber company will BAN you from any of their private roads.
I'd personally keep chasing it down, well if I wasn't already set. Go to the first house from the pile and ask them. Most people know who owns the land next door and you can go from there.
If it's that close to the road, I would think that resides on the "city/town/county" easement. Under that circumstance, I doubt it falls under state public land use/rules. Could be very wrong, not a lawyer. But I'm pretty sure we are not discussing those circumstances here.
It is never right to just take wood without proper permission. Also, just because there are no signs stating trespassing does not give you the right to take. One example is state or federal land. How many times have you passed government land and saw a no trespassing sign?!!! Oh, usually you can go onto the land but you are not free to take what you want. Also there are laws that you may or may not agree with but they are still laws and if you do not obey it could take a bite out of you wallet. In addition, in the link provided above you will notice that thread was locked. The simple reason it was locked was because folks were promoting that it is okay to do these illegal things. As I stated above, you may or may not agree with the law, but it is still the law and if you break that law...
Well from doing a little research this morning and looking at town property lines, the wood is sitting on town land.
Depends on the town. About 6 months back my town dropped a large black locust close to a busy road and left the logs there. I watched it for a couple months then emailed them about it. Never heard back, which to me is worse than getting a stern NO for an answer. I had to let that one go and it still irks me when I drive by it. I'm not about to get ticketed going for it though.
Years back my old hometown had "cutting permits" which were basically a waiver to cut from an area where they had dumped logs. Couple years ago i stopped and asked about some fresh cut wood while tree guys were there. They told me to call the "tree warden" who turns out was the head of the DPW. He tells me its the tree services wood as they are contracted out. I call the tree service guy back which he tells me is true but proceeds to tell me to take the wood "you didnt hear it from me" was his quote. Most tree services dont want to bother with the wood and would rather someone take it as it saves them the trouble of dealing with it. The forum does have waiver forms if an individual wont let you cut on their property for legal reasons. Ive used it once as a homeowner requested it and i had no problem signing it. Here's the link: Liability Wavier Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Locally, the city has an area they dump logs for residents to come cut on...if they lay there too long then they take them to a "yard waste" site...at that point whatever I don't take (I work for them) before they grind it all up in the fall becomes free mulch for residents...they prefer we (my brother and I) take as much as possible because they get charged by the volume for grinding it up.
Towns are the easiest IMO. Of course they all differ depending on town and who you talk too. A lot of town workers keep the wood for themselves. My first real,scrounge not on my own property was side of the road (town owned). I hauled 80 red oak trees off the side of that road. Town loved me for it. Tree warden came to visit and encourage me everyday,,,,numerous times per day He explained it easy enough. He only has so much budget. Removing those trees really cuts into his budget. I’m doing his work/towns work for free. This enables him to go cut other dangerous trees he would have had to leave standing. For all I know I may have saved someone’s life from a falling branch meh probably not,,,a rather rare occurrence. Ct is loaded with dead trees right now. Remember towns have very small budgets for tree work. States have tons of money and not much problem with running deficits. States arent fond of giving permission. The state crews I’ve talked to said go ahead, take anything you want that we cut on the side of the road, free to good home. I’m sure technically if I asked the upper echelon of state government they’d say no. State lands such as parks and forests is a different animal. That’s a no no altogether. Chances are good they’ve been left there because the penny counters can’t justify the pay time for removal. You would need to contact your towns maintenance department. It’s a crap shoot from there. Liability and all. But at least you know who to talk to now. That’s the first step. Have any friends that work for the town? Always helpful. personally I’m so far ahead I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Push come to shove I could just scrounge in the friendly town or Private FB ads but I have a ton on my own to get back to next winter. Good luck.
I think it will be a 50/50 chance of them giving me permission to cut and haul. I could see them telling me no just based on liability. We shall see.
Sounds about right. Find a friend of a friend of a friend that works for the town. And remember, the higher you go up the food chain the worst your chances become. You want to find the guy low enough on the totem pole who’s actual responsibility that woods removal is. He will be the motivated one. No one else will usually care enough to consider it.
I'm right in line w/ PA MM. Wood around here is off limits. If you got caught taking someone elses, good luck! And if it's laying on ground, someone owns that ground. Hope you can track down and get permission though! Share some pics if you do, sounds like a good honey hole.
The biggest issue I can foresee is who is the one that makes the decision. I know more than a couple "managerial" types that won't make any decision without running it through "upper echelon management", only because they want no responsibility to come back on them. Even some of the simplest things are on hold, because no-one wants to accept any responsibility. As the saying goes.. "Like a long-tailed cat in a rocking chair factory." Yah can practically see the fear in their eyes. I do hope you can find the proper contact NBourque
fully agree. It may be the only issue not just the largest Much easier to say no these days. That doesn’t make “these days” right. It’s still supposed to be We the People not We the Government. Or sumptin like that.
Yep, went to the township supervisor years ago and told him about some hazard trees standing roadside. They were aware, but didn't budget for removal. I told him if they had a tree crew drop them I'd clean them up. Guess who hauled off a bunch of trees two months later.
