Trees and other green plants are our most efficient means of capturing the sun's energy. Fossil fuels, by contrast, require expensive equipment, and increasing amounts of manpower and energy, to locate, extract, and process. By comparison, a standard cord of air-dry, dense wood weighs approximately 2 tons and provides as much heat as 1 ton of coal, or 150 to 175 gallons of No. 2 fuel oil, or 24,000 cubic feet of natural gas. The best way to start is to contact your local National Forest Ranger District or State Forestry office for assistance in identifying areas open for cutting and removal of firewood. Firewood is also available as industrial wood scraps.
Sawmills accumulate scrap material such as slabs, trim, and edging in their millyards.
Lumber companies often offer these materials as firewood at minimal cost, since this will alleviate hauling and burning problems for them. Power companies might also offer the logs, limbs, and tree tops that result from their powerline maintenance efforts. Check with your nearest Forest Service District Ranger Office for more detailed information. State Forestry, county Extension Agents, and county and city foresters can also provide information on local sources of firewood. That is a 4 by 8 foot face, cut into desired lengths.