Summer Firewood

One of the biggest disadvantages of cutting summer firewood is the intense heat.  

Cutting firewood is hard enough in cool, comfortable weather.  

Once you add the heat of the summer sun, it can be exhausting. Plus, the dense tree canopy and bugs only add to your troubles.

Even though I prefer to cut firewood in the spring when the outside temperatures are comfortable, sometimes I just don't have enough time to finish before summer.  

So……there I am outside cutting, splitting and stacking firewood in the heat of the sun.

However, the hot sun that makes cutting firewood so miserable could actually be a big benefit if you use it to speed up the seasoning process.  

Plus, if you sell firewood you'll notice there's not a lot of competition during the summer months.  

It's a great way to pick up a few customers who need a little firewood for camping, barbecuing or burning in their chiminea.  

Cutting Summer Firewood

Since using a tractor makes moving firewood easier I like to utilize one every chance I get, especially in the summer.  

Why move logs by hand when you can use hydraulics right?

Here's one way to make cutting summer firewood easier if you have a tractor.

Once you fell a live tree, skid the tree out into an open field with the branches and leaves still attached.

Wilting Firewood

I usually spend a day or two just cutting down trees and dragging them out into the middle of an open field.  

Once I have several trees in the field, I'll let them sit for a week or two (or longer) until the leaves turn brown and crisp.  

Leaving the leaves on the tree actually helps draw out moisture from the tree, speeding up the seasoning process.

This "trick" to speeding up the seasoning process is called wilting firewood.

Once the tree has baked in the field for a while you can use a front end loader to lift up the tree and cut off the branches and process the remaining wood.

Of course, if you don't have a front end loader you can always just limb the tree while it's on the ground without using a front end loader to raise it.

I just like using the loader because it keeps my chain out of the dirt, and makes the process go a little bit faster.

You can also cut up the tree into rounds and just let the wood sit out in the direct sun for about a month before you split it and stack it.

It's amazing how much the sun speeds up the drying process, so you'll want to utilize the sun while you can.

Splitting the wood into smaller pieces not only makes them easier to handle, but the exposed surface area also allows the wood to dry out faster.  

Just make sure you properly stack the wood before fall when the cooler, damp weather arrives.

Selling Summer Firewood

There's not a lot of people who sell firewood year round.  

Obviously, as the cooler months get closer you will find "firewood for sale" ads everywhere, but why not take advantage of the reduced competition in the summer?

Summer means camping is in full swing and depending on where you live, there could be a lot of people looking for a local place to buy firewood.

Also, chiminea's are becoming very popular.  

Since many chiminea's burn smaller chunks of wood you could sell chiminea firewood and capitalize on this "niche" market.

Plus, if you sell good quality firewood, any customers you receive during the summer will probably be back during the fall as they prepare for the colder months ahead.

Overall

Cutting firewood in the summer is not the most ideal time to harvest firewood but there are a few ways to use the hot temperatures to your advantage.

Be aware, heat exhaustion is dangerous and can be deadly.  

Since cutting firewood involves a lot of physical exercise it's important to keep hydrated and don't overwork yourself.

If it's too hot outside, leave the firewood for another day or only cut early in the morning before it becomes too hot.

About the Author

Nick Greenway

Obsessed with firewood, Nick is behind over 350+ of Firewood For Life's articles, as well as countless reviews, guides and YouTube videos to help readers like you reduce heating costs and create the perfect fire.