Can You Cut Branches from Trees on Your Own Property for Firewood?

Yes, you can take branches from trees on your own property to make fire, but there are important considerations to keep in mind. Green or live wood does not burn well and generates a lot of smoke. Unlike live wood, dead branches are best for firewood. While dead wood lying on the ground is easier to collect, consider cutting the entire tree to obtain a larger amount of firewood.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

You own all the trees growing on your property, so you have the right to do anything you want with them, subject to local regulations. However, it is important to remember that trees are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain and other sensations. This ethical consideration may influence your decision to prioritize cutting down an entire tree over just taking branches, especially if the tree is healthy.

Quality of Firewood and Environmental Impact

When cutting branches, ensure that you are taking dead branches, as these provide better firewood than living ones. Live wood from pruning should be dried for a season before use to ensure optimal burning. For deciduous trees, this is a viable option, but avoid using coniferous trees such as pine, fir, or spruce, as they contain too much resin, which can create creosote and dirty your chimney.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

In today's world, where many people suffer from global weather shifts, it is important to consider the broader impact of your actions. Planting two trees for every one you cut can help mitigate the environmental impact. Remember, if the base of the tree you wish to cut is on your property, you can do so. However, if the base of the tree is not on your property and the branch just hangs over your property, you need to obtain permission from your neighbor.

Practical Applications

For those living in areas with frequent power outages, cutting firewood can provide a reliable source of heat, allowing you to cook and stay warm. In my previous home, I had a Fisher woodstove that was very useful during power outages. The debris from landscape jobs I couldn’t recycle or pile in the backyard was burned in this stove.

It is not recommended to burn evergreen wood, even if it is dry, as the rapid heating of the resin can cause sparks and potentially start fires. Always be cautious when disposing of plants like poison ivy, as the toxic oils can become airborne and pose a health risk if inhaled after burning these plants.