Rethinking Firewood

Many people rely on firewood for heating their homes in the colder months of the year. Often when a tree is removed from someone’s yard by an arborist, they choose to keep the wood with the intent of burning it in the future. With smaller sections of wood, this is an excellent way to keep future energy costs down rather than allowing it to be chipped into mulch and taken away. However, the larger sections of wood such as big branches on a mature tree, or the trunk sections on various aged trees, may have an even better purpose altogether. This is where milling comes in.

There are many ways to mill a log, and many machines capable of it. A Lucas Mill is portable and has great accuracy if set up correctly, however it requires a lot of space and time to set up and generally the log needs to be raised from ground level using a machine such as a loader, skid steer, excavator, or crane truck. So although Lucas Mills are capable of producing a quality product, the access to the tree and logistics are where they fall short.

Another option is to use an Alaskan Mill. There are many producers of this type of mill, but the leading manufacturer is Granberg. An Alaskan Mill allows you to use your existing chainsaw while providing the ability to cut the wood nice and straight. This is done by laying the saw on its side and clamping the mill onto the bar of the chainsaw, there you go, you have yourself a mill. There are many benefits to this arrangement. You don’t need to lift the log, it can be done in small spaces, and it’s quick to set up.

There are many opportunities to provide your loved tree with a second life through milling. Some of the most grandeur options are creating long slabs with live edges for later use as tables, bench seats, a mantle piece, or even a bar for your entertaining area. These options unlock the colours and patterns hidden within the grain that would otherwise be lost to rounds of firewood.

A by-product of milling is large amounts of sawdust. If you haven’t yet noticed, I am a big believer in minimising waste and creating solutions for each individual component during tree removal. Sawdust has amazing properties when it comes to holding moisture. Composting: Sawdust can be added to compost as a carbon-rich material. It helps balance the nitrogen content in the compost, promotes decomposition, and prevents the pile from becoming too wet and compacted. Mulching: Remembering to first age the sawdust, then mix it in with some organic matter to create a great top up for your garden beds. Animal bedding: An excellent way to use this by-product is on the floor of chook pens to keep it dry and low in odour.

After exploring the different ways a tree can continue to be part of your home without all entirely going up in smoke, it begins to make sense that trees destined for removal should be considered as more than just firewood. Milling is a great solution that can provide a second life to your tree, whether you use the slabs of timber yourself, or gift them on to someone else.

Get in touch with us at Driftwood Arborist via our Contact Page if you’re interested in learning more about the milling service we provide.