You’re not being selfish at all. I have been in a similar position in the past. A few years ago, a friend asked me for a little bit of camping firewood for his upcoming annual elk hunt. He lives in the city, but hunts the area where I live. Of course, I said no problem. He stopped by on his way to elk camp. I helped him load about a quarter of the bed of his truck with wood. He thanked me and went on his way. I did that for a few years with no issues. I was happy to help. But word spread. Soon, some other friends… then friends of friends… then people that I didn’t even know were asking me for free firewood. Like it just grows out of the ground into cut, split and stacked piles on my property. I eventually had to shut everyone down - and make them procure their own wood. I love firewooding, but it’s freaking hard work. Plus, I need it to heat my house in the fall, winter and spring. The city dwellers don’t need firewood like I do. It’s not a necessity to them like it is for me. Anyway… Sorry for the long winded reply to your original question. I did see your follow up. That sounds like a good plan. I do give away a few truckloads of firewood every year to people who are hard on their luck, or who help me out in other ways - like the gal who watches our dog for us when we are out of town. I don’t mind that at all. But there is no reason for me to be giving away my hard earned firewood to people who make more money than me - and can just buy it, if they are not willing to work for it. Like my son’s favorite book says… If you give a mouse a cookie, he will ask for a glass of milk.
My daughter is doing a report on "if you take a mouse to the movies" (he'll want some popcorn) but I said if you take a mouse to the movies, and play your cards right, you can sit wherever you want!
We have more than a few acquaintances that camp and fish near where we live. They've asked for a handful for splits beach fires before and like you we said "sure". Can't say how much we actually burned vs how much missing, and can't see the old wood pile after dark, but it appears many have helped themselves to fires while out here. Add in those we do not know that "borrow". Makes me sad. Despite the terrible snow drifts here from from wind and husbands dismay, the last two cords I bought is one in the back yard and one in the front.
I’m sorry to hear that. But it seems that you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about. And if you’re ever down this way, I have some great connections that are always looking for people to come cut firewood on their property for fire mitigation
Good on you for helping them out. I wouldn't deviate from my 3 year plan, when your excess is gone, it's gone. I have a buddy at work that recently had surgery and can't replentish is firewood stocks this year. I offered a couple of cords of 3+ year oak in partial trade of some beef. I usually buy a 1/2 beef from him every year.
This sounds like a good idea but do not loan any of your equipment/tool nobody is going to take care of your tools like you do they will break it or lose it and act like it’s okay If they want to burn wood they can do one of two things They can buy it already process Or they can invest in the tools needed to process there own wood
