Firewood Permits

Firewood Collection Tips

A standard cord of wood is a well-stacked pile of logs 4 x 4 x 8 feet. However, since four or eight foot logs are too large for most fireplaces, most firewood is cut by "face cords." A face cord is a 4 x 8 stack of wood with logs cut to the desired length. Your permit allows you to cut up to five (5) cords of wood for your personal use. If the wood is cut to 12", then the face cord is about one-quarter of a cord. If the wood is cut to a 16" length, then it is about one-third of a cord.

Keep in mind the weight of your vehicle when it is loaded, and please be careful to avoid damaging roads or natural surfaces. The weight of wood is variable, depending on the species, how green the wood is, and how dry it is. If you have air-dry dense hardwood, such as oak, about one-half a standard cord will weigh one ton. Keep this in mind when hauling or storing wood.

Most wood will not burn well when it is freshly cut. To get wood to burn well, you should "season" it by splitting it and drying it for several months. Once you have split the logs, stack them in a protected area such as under a roof eave for 6 to 10 months. Remember that wood can contain harmful insects and wood diseases. It is better not to store wood directly against building walls or inside your home.

Burning green or highly resinous wood is hazardous. Tars and wood extracts are products that may destroy your chimney or cause a chimney fire.

Before lighting your fire, make sure the room is well ventilated, the damper is open, and the flue is unobstructed.

For cost information go to: Permits