The economics of tree surgery waste
Professional tree surgeons (arborists) remove, reduce, and prune trees as their daily work. A single mature tree can produce several tonnes of timber. That wood has to go somewhere — and getting rid of it is one of the biggest costs in the trade.
Disposal costs add up fast
Options for dealing with tree surgery timber include:
- Licensed green waste sites — charge per tonne, plus transport time and fuel.
- Chipping on site — requires an expensive chipper and still leaves chip disposal.
- Yard storage — takes up valuable depot space that could be used for equipment.
- Firewood processing — requires splitting, seasoning, and retail infrastructure that most arborists do not want to run alongside their core business.
Giving logs away to a local collector eliminates the disposal cost entirely and clears the site faster. For tree surgeons, it is often the simplest and cheapest outcome.
Speed matters
Many tree surgery jobs are on domestic properties with limited access. The crew needs the site clear by end of day — driveways unblocked, pavements passable. If a collector can take wood away the same day, that saves the tree surgeon a return trip or a skip hire.
This is why tree surgery listings on Firewood Friends sometimes say “must collect today” or “gone by 4 pm”. Being quick and flexible gives you the best chance.
What you get
Logs from tree surgeons are almost always unseasoned (freshly felled). Expect:
- Large rounds or half-rounds that need splitting.
- Mixed species — whatever the tree was (often oak, ash, sycamore, or conifers in the UK).
- Trunk sections and major limbs — smaller brash is usually chipped on site.
- No delivery — you collect from the job site or the arborist's yard.
For seasoning advice, see: Unseasoned vs ready-to-burn firewood
How to connect with tree surgeons on Firewood Friends
- Set up an alert zone — cover the area around you so you are notified when any new wood is posted nearby.
- Respond quickly — free logs from tree surgeons go fast because they need the site cleared promptly.
- Be flexible on timing — arborists work weather-dependent schedules; be ready to collect at short notice.
- Bring a vehicle and gloves — a trailer or large estate car plus straps for securing logs. Some arborist listings involve unprocessed rounds; if the photos show large uncut timber, bring cutting tools only if you are comfortable processing on site.
Some tree surgeons also register as businesses on Firewood Friends to let people know they periodically have logs available. Browse the business directory to see who is active in your area.
If you are a tree surgeon or giver
The easier you make collection, the faster the site clears. A few small things make a big difference:
- Cut logs to a liftable size where possible (stove length is ideal) — this attracts far more collectors.
- Stack near vehicle access, not behind fences or at the end of a muddy track.
- Add clear photos and access notes to your listing (parking, gate code, “please take it all”).
- Unprocessed rounds are allowed, but expect fewer and slower responses — most collectors arrive with just gloves and a vehicle.
Get free log alerts from tree surgeons and homeowners
Install the app, set your alert zone, and you will be notified when free wood is posted nearby — whether from a tree surgeon clearing a site or a homeowner with a surplus.
