Where free firewood comes from
Free logs appear whenever someone has more wood than they can use or store. Common sources across the UK:
- Tree surgeons — the biggest single source. Disposal is expensive and they want wood gone fast. (Read more)
- Homeowners — garden clearances, fallen trees, inherited log piles they cannot use.
- Farmers and landowners — hedge-laying, woodland management, and windblown timber.
- Building sites — demolition timber and site clearance (check for treated wood — do not burn it).
- Councils — roadside tree work and park maintenance occasionally produce logs offered to the public.
Using Firewood Friends to find free logs
Firewood Friends was built specifically for this: connecting people who have spare wood with people who want to collect it. Here is how to use it:
1. Browse the map (no account needed)
Visit the public listings page on this website. You will see a map of active and recently cleared listings across the UK. Each pin shows free wood that someone has posted.
2. Install the app for alerts
Free wood goes fast — sometimes within hours of being posted. The mobile app lets you set an alert zone around your location and get push notifications or emails the moment someone posts new wood in your area. This is the single most effective way to get free logs consistently.
3. Respond quickly and politely
When you see a listing you want, message the giver through the app to confirm collection arrangements. Be specific about when you can come and what you can take. Speed and reliability build your reputation — givers prefer collectors who turn up when they say they will.
4. Collect and take home
Arrive on time with your vehicle and gloves. Most piles are already cut to a liftable size — load up and go. If the listing shows larger unprocessed rounds, bring appropriate tools only if you are happy to work on site. Most free logs are unseasoned and will need drying at home before burning — budget 12–24 months depending on species.
Other places to look for free logs
Firewood Friends is not the only option, though it is purpose-built for this. Other channels people use in the UK:
- Facebook Marketplace and local groups — search “free logs” or “free firewood” in your area. Volume is high but posts disappear quickly.
- Gumtree — the “freebies” section occasionally has firewood listings.
- Arbtalk forums — tree surgeons sometimes post surplus wood; more trade-focused.
- Freecycle / Freegle — local reuse networks where people list items for collection.
- Word of mouth — let neighbours, local tree surgeons, and landscapers know you collect firewood.
The advantage of Firewood Friends is that it is dedicated to this one thing — you do not have to sift through sofas and broken furniture to find wood listings, and alert notifications mean you do not have to check manually.
Tips for success
- Have transport ready — a trailer, pickup, or large estate car. Some listings offer several tonnes.
- Gloves and sturdy footwear — the normal kit for loading pre-cut logs. Only bring cutting tools if the listing explicitly needs them.
- Be realistic about volume — do not commit to collecting more than you can store or process.
- Season properly — split, stack off the ground, cover the top, and wait. A moisture meter (£15–25) tells you when it is ready.
- Be safe — check the site for hazards, confirm permission, and never take wood without clear agreement.
Start finding free logs near you
Browse live listings now, or install the app to set up alerts and never miss free firewood in your area.
