I took my 10 year old with me today for a hike and came across an unexpected surprise. Here at the state park they cut dozens (hundreds?) of dead/dying ash trees. There were also plenty of bigtooth aspen that were thinned out, a few large black cherry, red oak, white birch, and white pine. This is more than I’ve ever seen on the ground on state property. Looks to be some decent saw logs and plenty of firewood there for someone willing to pay. As sad as the ash plight is, at least the open spaces in the canopy will allow the next cohort of trees to flourish.
From what I understand, I can apply for a cutting permit if I want to. I think it amounts to about $75 per cord, 2 cord minimum purchase. They give you a 2-3 week window to get in there, cut and haul off your share. I get enough free wood as it is so I’m not drooling too much over it. Looking at what’s there, I assume a lot of it will go to a local sawmill (that’s what’s been happening the last couple years with logs harvested from state parks)
Wow. Here, last time I did it, was $20 per cord on the honor system. Pretty sure that was a 2 week window.
Years ago I cut on state land. Permits were free and one could get 10 cord. If more was needed, just get another permit. I even got a permit once to cut standing trees that weren't even dead. Then they started charging $10 for permits. I don't know what they cost today.
I suppose that's worth it...barely...if you don't have a better source...another $25 per and you could get a log load dropped in your driveway...
That deal would be ok to get yourself ahead, it looks it easy access but the time frame isn’t very accommodating. When they cut at the state park here, the permits were free & were good for a year.
That’s why I never pulled the trigger on it. Last year I was in contact with someone at the forestry department, after spying another large cutting in a different state forest. The man was nice, knowledgeable and all too eager to “hook me up” with a permit, but I couldn’t justify forking over even $150 for wood that I could just as easily get for free elsewhere.
Just loaded up my truck with some rounds at Nockamixon State Park. Spotted it earlier in the day while I was hiking with my dog. Permits are $20 a cord for rounds and downed trees. I stopped in at the office and they gave me the permit on the spot. Mostly ash with a little bit of cherry and walnut.
Sounds like it’s $20 a cord so probably have to pay for every cord but that’s a great deal if a person can a cord already bucked up for that.
At $20 a cord I do not mind paying. Good thing is I can pick and choose what I want to take and if it is too heavy leave it for someone else. But then I could take my saw. Some of the other parks including county parks allow wood gathering in their piles of downed trees. In fact I was at one park and asked the maintenance crew about some rounds and they just said to "take them." I always ask permission especially with the price so low.
