To help more Tasman residents get access to quality firewood, last October we trialled a community firewood day at Moturoa/Rabbit Island and were overwhelmed by the demand for firewood.
Going forward, we are looking at options for working with our forestry partner, PF Olsen, to support communities needing access to quality firewood. However, there won’t be another community firewood event held before this winter.
If you managed to get a load of firewood at the community firewood day last October, it will need to be split and left to season before burning.
Two types of wood were available at that event, eucalyptus and macrocarpa. If it has been split and stored in a dry place over summer, the eucalyptus should be seasoned enough to burn this winter.
But the macrocarpa which was felled more recently will need to be split and stored until at least winter 2025 before burning. Burning green (unseasoned) firewood, like this macrocarpa, will cause smoky fires and air pollution.
Test that your wood is seasoned by tapping it against another piece of wood. It should make a hollow tapping sound. Seasoned and dry wood will also be much lighter than green, wet wood. Look for radial cracks as a good indicator that wood is dry and ready to burn.
If you don’t have firewood sorted for this winter yet, get in touch with one of our Good Wood suppliers:
- Bay Firewood – 027 769 6348
- BuyRight Firewood – 021 127 8957
- Quality Firewood – 027 449 0622
- Richmond Wood – 03 544 6473
- Wholesale Firewood – 03 546 9595