Get ash or go into the woods and find barkless standing dead. When a customer asks me if my wood is dry/seasoned I ask them if they were concerned about that why didn’t they order 6+ months earlier?
1/2 to 3/4 of my customers are regulars buying a year ahead of time. The rest are told the wood is green not ready to burn and the invoice states clearly that the wood is green and not ready to be burned. What they do after that is up to them. We sell 95% or more of our 6-800 full cord green every single year.
I’d love to do that. Skip the whole storage component. Mind if I ask the percentage you discount it? I’ve sold green a few times, and did it at about 20% less than what dry sells for. But I could see going 33% lower in bulk. So from like $300 to $200.
For the last 25 years all the wood I make has been for my own consumption. Prior to that when my Dad and I sold wood we had customers asking for green wood assuming it would be a better price. I would remind them that we had just as much cost in the green pile as the seasoned pile. No price difference! Also, like you Brad, I was very reluctant to sell any green wood except to a couple of very trusted individuals who would season the wood appropriately. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Good Morning Brad IMO, if you can sell every stick of firewood that you produce at a premium, there is no reason to sell any of it at a discount. Really, it's no more complicated than that. Keep up the good work.
I wish I could find some customers to sell green wood to. It would be a lot easier than going through the drying process and finding a place to store it all.
Morning brother…This is my first year starting to sell more wood. Like you Brad I am completely out of dry wood. My last customer only wanted 1/2 cord. Half was dry and the other half was “green” to me. (Pushing 30%) I clearly noted and explained, that the green was NOT going to be ready this season. That was relayed by call, then text and ALSO noted on the invoice. What people do after I put that much effort into explaining and voicing the reasons why they shouldn’t burn green wood…is 100% on them. A lot of people understand here…but new customers need to be reminded. Do whatever makes you sleep ok at night brother. Great job 👍🔥
Most of my sales are out of my roadside stand, but this year I sold 3 cords in 1/3-cord increments. I had ot turn several people away who also wanted 1/3-cord orders because I ran out of seasoned wood in those quantities. I'm a little worried about the wood in my stand not being fully-seasoned (Ash, only split 6 weeks ago,, but is measuring from 18-22%). I do have 1-customer that usually buys 1 or 2 cords of green oak, he wants it for his boiler and prefers to buy it green --- BUT, in that case we have an agreed understanding that he is getting green wood. Brad, you are doing thing right (in my opinion)
I only do 30ish cords a year for sale. I have two customers that I reserve wood, I let them know it will be delivered when it gets dry. I can charge them more because they don’t have to store the wood and they are guaranteed product in about 8 months. I like to put the moisture content on my invoice.
For years I sold nothing but green wood because I had very limited storage space to season logs. I always sold with minimum of three months for the pinewood to dry. After that I'd warn the customers that I wouldn't burn that winter. A lot still did. The chimney sweeps probably loved those folks. You are a principled man. Congratulations, there aren't that many of those around nowadays. Cheers from HB NZ
Great video man! None of my customers are buying ahead of time and just like you I don’t sell green wood to them just because they could give your business a bad reputation. Only wood that I sell right away is ash that’s dead.
I've asked a few of my customers who have nice areas to store wood if they want to get a year ahead and buy green wood. So far, no one has been interested. I'd be more than happy to split into the trailer and deliver it like Russ does, but nobody I've come across wants to. Also, running a pile of appropriate sized rounds through that six way wedge must be about as much fun as one can have in the woodyard😊
Hey Brad, it’s been a while since I’ve watched a video. I don’t sell green wood,but would like to start. The cost savings is tremendous. When you can process wood right into a trailer and take it away you just saved the handling by 2 or 3 times, you get instant cash flow payment without dry times. Some of each is good too. Less storage area also. Your feeling a responsibility to these customers and possibly a potential law suit is of great concern. You almost feel you need to get a signed paper from the customer that they fully understand that the wood delivered should not be burned until the following year 9-12 months. I think I just talked myself out of green sales. Laws today scare me. Good to see you and watch again. Take care
Good morning Brad, if you look at our Woodyard, we have a full track axle load of dead logs. That’s been sitting there for six months and was dead standing standing. That way if they do want to burn it it’s in that 15% range.👍🇺🇸
Your responsibility to the customer is inform them at what they are buying plus anything special Instructions for the product. Feeling obligated to make sure everything is perfect it's not our job it is just like firewood at a reasonable price for the customer
You’re doing great selling green wood. Personally I do the same thing. Sell all seasoned wood but I have a few customers that I supply with green wood in the late spring to help extend my season of healthy income. As long as your transparent with what your selling your A-OK in my book! You covered all your bases.
What you did telling him that the wood was green and not ready to burn is reasonably, honest and fair. After that, the customer can do whatever he wants to do.
It's much easier for the customer if you figure out where to store and dry all that wood. Add in the fact that the warm weather is sticking around longer and people are holding back on spending and many will wait and see if they can do without it all together. I do know guys with ODB's that like to have green wood in the mix though.
Brad,it’s a good thing that you put it on the receipt for the customer so that you know and they know the wood is green I myself would have a certain cord amount but you do have your back covered with it on the receipt 😮😊❤
Brad I did firewood for over 25 years I never sold dry wood it was all green I did not have the room or time to stack 50 tri-axle loads of wood and the cost at my cost that would be 40 thousand bucks to store wood for 1 year. My market I can not get 75 or 80 bucks per face cord that it should be worth when dry 60 is tops in my are. I made up a flier that explained the dangers of burning wet wood and had a phone number for a Chimmey sweep and told them on the phone before delivery its wet I would have them sign one that I would keep and they got one to keep I was more worried about them burning their house down and suing me for it. All was good for me never had a problem. So many of my customers are my good friends now sold out this past May and he is doing it the same way I help him out some he does not need to make the same mistakes I made lol.
Great information and video brother. Unfortunately, i have been on both ends of this conversation. I bought a house at the beginning of winter and inherited an empty wood supply. All the dry wood was sold out, so my only option was to burn green wood in my furnace for an entire winter. I have also sold green wood to customers in the same scenario. Hasn't bit me... Yet!
I wouldn't worry about it if they know it's green wood. Also you could make out receipts and have them sign it so they are knowledging what they are getting. Looks to me that you might wanna start looking into getting a processor since it would speed up the process and you could make more firewood in the same amount of time.
Hopefully, that customer doesn't try to drag your name through the mud after he tries to burn it. That's a tough one. Great video explaining your thoughts, Brad! - Tim
I am just getting into the green wood thing!! 1 customer is trying it, i gave her a 1/4 cord just to see! We will know more next fall when she wants to burn it!
Not to worry. You're honest, then it's the buyer's responsibility to understand. We heat our place 99% with 2 wood stoves ( no central furnace or mini splits ) . When once we HAD to buy CSD delivered we knew it would be green IN LATE WINTER/early spring. Stacked well it will be ready for the next winter. It's a "caveat emptor" thing. Most we cut ourselves, and gifts from an arborist friend or others that don't need firewood. Good take on a no problem. JMNSHO
One of the uneek things about Douglas fir. Is the hartwood of a growing green tree is generally 24% ish. . Ive literally split off the sap wood, and used the hartwood after about a month or so, its about 20% or under, if you keep it out of the rain. . Being its low of destiny it can literally pick up moisture if left without a roof over it. Or most definitely pick up moisture when in direct contact with the ground. As well as are humidity in winter is the opposite of the east coast. . for an average the fir is 26" logs and about 3.5" of sapwood i bust off. That leaves quite a bit of hartwood per round. . On the flipside of the coin, we have red alder, same moisture content all the way through. And btu content that makes pine look impressive. Its basically a weed tree. Its the 3rd fastest rotting wood on earth, from what ive been told.
Hi Brad, a good problem to have and handled well. I am away from my woodyard and I feel guilty that I am not cuttin' and splitting to grow the inventory. However Thanksgiving week I will be there hunting and splitting a pile of Poplar that has been calling my name! Hey will there be a Thirsty Thursday on Thanksgiving??? Keith aka Cowboy Joy As for GRREEEN WOOD! I do not sell it, the people in area would spread bad vibs about the Biz.
hi there .well back in the early 80's i would start cutting fire wood first of Oct.for burning that winter , never had any problem with it . not knowing all that much about dry wood , remember no web to learn from or moisture meters , but always burnt a real hot fire , ,knowing about chemny fires i cleaned it every year , it was always clean and clear never any build up of anything .now look at all the people with out door boilers . tons of cerasoad and build up including myself , i burn 2 year seasoned wood , i now have a pan to catch all the cerasode run off ,a quart each day ,i dry alot of wood on a scale to see when it is dry , 95% of all my kinds of wood loose 75% of there moisture in the first 3to 4 months , it all depends on how you burn it ,hot with alot of O2. and how often you burn , if you burn once a week you chimmeny gets cold and makes more condsate ,a hot chimmney wont do that , hope,this helps .i would sell it and do as you said ,write it on the receipt. a sale is a sale . all business have to change to the cousmsters needs / wants ,best to all john
This is my first year really selling. I have friends that are just now cutting wood for the winter.My area is full of seasoned green wood sellers. So much you can smell the oak like it was split in the parking lot of the convenience store its being sold at.The customers I'm picking up are making it clear they don't want water wood.
I think a couple of green wood customers are ok. If more start to request,…then you might have to reconsider. Oak is hard to access in our area. So, it’s hard to tell if sellers are selling green, or truly seasoned wood. Other than that, we have a lot of Pine, Aspen, and a few other species. You can,…well I can split Aspen, and then sell it within a couple of weeks because it seasons very fast. I can absolutely see why you’re trying to get ahead. My boat is a little different. I want to get ahead so that I can go into cruise mode for next year’s winter. So, my plan is to hit it really hard toward this coming spring.
It comes down to how much time you have and how to produce the most profit you can achieve in that time. If you are time limited, sell wood in the form that produces the most income. If you have extra time, use it to produce what you can sell at a profit.
* boiler owner * my boiler doesnt care and neither do i. Getting it out of the timber, to the house, and bucked is the choke point for me. I can split and dry as i choose, but if i had a person to buy good green rounds by the trailer load i would, every year. Seek out a specific buyer and keep your quality control decent. I think youre paying attention to the right things.
I'd say half my customers are green wood buyers and half are seasoned buyer. It's hard to keep an inventory available when it's that way but it's been that way for 15 yrs so I guess I make it work
I sell to most folks green wood, they know about it, i make my wood for next year right now, stack it, then i move to green wood, usually start taking green wood (oak) to a few people that buy a year to 2 years ahead. Never had a problem. I just slowly talked people into buying wood in the spring for fall. [Doug fir maple ] i have limited space for drying the wood. Selling to folks a year or 9 months ahead has worked for me, Just allows me to make 40 cords of wood in a 20x60 area.
I have always cut firewood for myself and Family members I am usually 1 to 2 years ahead. Started selling some firewood this year loose stacking in bins has helped tremendously. Also have wood drying inside around wood stove around the clock . I am burning up ends knots and short pieces that we don't sell. Never attempted to sell green wood but I would think I might have a 5 cord minimum if i did. If they truly are buying ahead they will have the room to store it. I would sell it as this years price even though its next years wood.
I had one customer that when i had green wood, said when i told her if she wanted i could bring a 50/50 green and seasoned load. A lot of people like it this way and it burns a lot longer. But of course if you only have green, then this could be a bit of a problem. I like to have a place with green and a place with wood that's been diwn for a year or is dead. But you can't always do that.
I’ve been selling more green wood to my customers. I make sure they know it’s green and unseasoned. Once I’m paid, what they choose do with it is their business. It would take a special kind of person to go ahead and bad mouth your wood after you were extremely clear on what they were buying although I’m sure those people are out there. As for staying ahead, would it be possible to deliver one trailer load of green Firewood here and there to your 10 cord customer instead of processing it all over the course of a couple weeks? Giving you time to produce for them and for your own seasoned supply?
I sell osage orange aka hedge here in Kansas. I have 1 customer that will buy logs year-round green or dry. He stays about a year ahead on his piles. What do you do with logs that are to small to split? I only ever see huge logs that you cut up and split. Do you throw all the smaller branch logs away? Love the videos keep up the good work
You can always buy cheap seasoned firewood split the big ones down a little if u have to and resell it. I used to buy out 4 or 5 people bc they only wanted 60 a face. About 20-35 cords worth i didn't have to stack and season. Just sort the junk ugly pieces out for boilerwood. Having 100 cords of green wood orders would be ideal bc u don't have to store it and u get paid right away. All depends on what the margins are for green vs seasoned and how much firewood u Want to be tossing and loading next fall in a few weeks. With bins and cones you'll have probably 2x the amount of seasoned hardwoods by next fall.
so 3 yrs ago here in uk in garages and petrol stations they sold wet wood and did do for decades now last yr was 1st yr our government told us u can only burn dried wood so what changed
Valid concern with the 2 cord customer. As a home firewood processor and user I don't get too wrapped up in the 20% moisture threshold. But as a businessman, I wouldn't want my product or service to receive poor feedback because the customer got exactly what they asked for. Maye it's a winter camper looking for campfire wood that's unavailable right now?
I dont know what the problem is about selling green it will burn here in Wv or my area they donit all the time!! Now yeah, it smokes an not good for the stove, but they don't care . No one in my area is ahead for firewood to be dry. Now i know all this, and that's why me and my block buster processor and I are going to split every day and be ready to set myself apart. We get 375 a cord here.
If you have a cadre of repeat customers, then establishing sufficient supplies of wood for them seems to me to be paramount. They've been loyal repeat customers. I'm not sure, but I suspect the green wood interest may be in some cases a way to receive a discount. If that causes you to lose loyal repeat customers of seasoned wood, the I'd question the value of the green wood customers. If the price is the same, then I'm at a loss as to what decision I would make in tis regard.
I have a roadside bundle stand, with my wood yard in my side yard. People often come take my freshly split, and stacked wood. I feel bad for them, because they're taking two week old split wood, that's going to do nothing but smoke them out. And they're going to talk shit about my shitty burning wood, that they came on to my property and took. Yes they paid, but if there's not bundles out front, there's not wood for sale. I'm trying to get my wood ready for next year, yet people keep taking my wet drying wood without my permission.
I used to sell a lot of green wood, no one wanted to burn it just smart people seizing upon a deal, both in the city and country. Because of my small operation, high cost of city living, and the lower price of the wood, I cut out the rare city customers and the 3 cord average customers up north that I would deliver myself to, and only sending a 40 yard bin out once in a while with 6 cords of ugly 16 inch, or boiler wood, stuff that I don't want to keep. I was stacking a full cord in a 6,0 Silverado with a cage around the bed for delivery up north and even when I switched to a two cord diesel dumper and it still wasn't worth going up north. I'm now happy. I lost customers who switched to gas or sold their property and such but now I have two police officers who buy my both my 6 cord boiler or firewood loads. In the end, I'm happy selling more wood at full pop, while being loyal to and taking care of appreciative return customers
A sale is a sale. You're covering your but as much as you can. You could also only offer the green wood for part of the year. Say, spring through early summer. Having it listed as green or seasoned in your advertising would be one more layer of coverage.
Hey Brad, Mark here, just starting out in the business. My plan is to sell split this season firewood but I have an ace in my sleeve. My buddy owns the logging business and he is willing to put aside the standing dead logs for me. I will have green as well but I'm trying to figure out what to call that "dryer" wood. Take care have a great weekend. 🪵🇨🇦🇺🇸🔥🌴
I'm selling green wood during spring with a discount. I don't need to move and store it, don't have the risk, that it starts rotting or what so ever. We mainly have birch, spruce and pine. If it's cut during autumn or early winter, cutted in march/april and stored at the right place, it is ready to burn for the next winter. So i give people an instruction how to store it the best way to make sure it is ready to burn the next winter. I've cutted some logs in September and put them in a room with an open door, used a small electric fan to push air through that room and out of an open window. It took about 4-6 weeks to dry from about 30-35% to 18-22% with no external heater, the fan consumed about 40watts, it costed about 7$ to get it dry, that was absolutely worth it for about 1.5cords.
I have one customer that gets half and half, she’s the only one I now sell any green wood. Use to be I would sell green but people assumed there’s a discount, nope. Now I just say I’m out of wood.
Umm interesting video for me looking in it looks like it’s growing faster then you had plan good problems but a problem in it self all the best from the uk
If you cut firewood for yourself its going to be green and thus require seasoning before being burnt. If a firewood purveyor sells you fully-seasoned hardwood ready to be burnt, then as the consumer purchasing the firewood it's only reasonable to expect to pay significanty more per true 4'×8'×4' cord. A price per cord that is 2-2.5 times the price per cord of the exact same species of hardwood that is split into the exact same size pieces but in a newly cut, newly split state isn't an unreasonable amount to have to expect to pay.
I always get a kick out of that lol I have a boiler and no they don’t like green wood! , learned that lesson the hard way by all the constant cleaning I had to do 🤣 I can’t speak for everyone’s units but I know my Taylor 450 says no thank you I’ll take it dry
I do not and have not sold green firewood. I know people that have and it came back to haunt them. Even when they tell them it won't burn . People run their mouth and damage your reputation. I personally don't think it is worth it. However if they are repeat customers they already know your quality. Use your best judgment.
Looks like you’ll be working yourself into an electric bundler soon with increased sales. That is my concern with selling green wood as well. You know people will burn it and blame you. We’re still going to try a few loads and see how it goes.
When I was selling firewood full time I would sell whatever the customer wanted. No discounts for green. Its the same wood once its dry. But I would always be sure to only sell what the customer wanted. Many people buy a year ahead and let it dry. But I would never sell anything not fully dry to a customer who wanted to burn it right away.
I just sell seasoned firewood. It is worth quite a bit more than green. It's like money in the bank. It's not worth the stress being behind all the time. I have sold out of seasoned firewood each year for many years.
Problem is solved, as you said: "Getting ahead & staying ahead". With you switching over to piles, that will greatly help you achieve that goal. Had a customer ask if I would sell 'rounds'; "NO! - cause it would be the same price as seasoned, split firewood. I have to pay for my Tri-axle load & make some profit." Watch out for those nasty rakes - Don't need another "One eyed Customs" YT channel.
Back in the day, my neighbour used to buy green wood. It was $10 off a face cord and only available for a limited period in the spring (Mar-June). For the really good customers who you know will burn this year - any ash around? PS Love the Eastonmade flag flying high.
As long as you cover your bases, have the information in writing, with the customers signature, you're good. You are going to get the odd ball that won't listen and does their own thing but that should be nominal. Sent an email with no response. Stay safe.
1st I’d sell all I could for the next year customer! 2nd I first thought documentation’s would be the answer but unfortunately “the nasty word of mouth” will still be out there. Being a conscious vendor as yourself I’d be hesitant to sell green for this year usage unless you personally know them. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
I try and advertise green wood for 20% cheaper and I can't move it. Everyone I sell to is mostly campfires and they want ready to burn and small amounts
For me, I only sell green wood to people I know won’t try to burn it. The thing that makes me nervous, the customer trying to burn green wood and having issues with house fire, messed up chimney and trying to sue you.
To each his own. Selling wood that has not sat for a year is just the wrong thing to do in my wood drying situation. Yours is different. Selling green wood in my opinion is reputation destroying and simply not safe. A dollar is not worth either thing. FYI. In a person does not care if the wood is dry do you think they care enough to clean their chimney? No. It’s a chimney fire waiting to happen. But that’s not your worry it’s theirs. That’s how society is these days. You have to eat
Why be conflicted. Lots of people buy green wood every year to stay 2 or 3 years ahead plus there is usually a savings on green wood and sellers like it because they are getting money from the start and it keeps wood yard space freed up for seasoned wood..
It's hard to understand people who would try to burn green wood inside their home. There's just too much at risk. If I had that customer... The order would probably get delivered in May out of the bin. Yes it's an extra step but burning their house down isn't on your shoulders.
With my bundle business I only sell seasoned wood. Like you said people will complain even when they are told it’s not ready to burn. I would only sell green to trusted customers. I wouldn’t advertise that you offer green wood. Just let that be word of mouth.
Years ago I used to get a load of green wood and if I stacked it in my garage, by the time I got through the dry wood towards the end of the winter it burned fine. You have valid points though. Currently only sell bundle wood during the summer
I feel your pain. I’m in the same situation. Question- are you selling green wood at a discount? Also, I tried piling 50 face cord of wood as an experiment (instead of stacking) a couple months ago on two layers of pallets to see how it dries. Now before the results are in I feel pressured to have to sell it. I don’t want to loose my reputation for best wood around.
Hey Brad. Love the channel! I just wanted to mention something to you about running the your splitter. I see you were loading your rounds by dropping them, almost throwing them in the splitter. I remember learning that if you drop, or throw an object, it increased the force by 3 times. It can be very hard on equipment compared to just placing the wood on the splitter. Just a thought. Keep the content coming!!!!
Get ash or go into the woods and find barkless standing dead. When a customer asks me if my wood is dry/seasoned I ask them if they were concerned about that why didn’t they order 6+ months earlier?
1/2 to 3/4 of my customers are regulars buying a year ahead of time. The rest are told the wood is green not ready to burn and the invoice states clearly that the wood is green and not ready to be burned. What they do after that is up to them. We sell 95% or more of our 6-800 full cord green every single year.
That means 600 to 800 full cords or is that 6800 cords a year? 😅
@ yes 600-800 definitely not 6800
I have been only able to get a handful of my regulars to order early to help with the drying
I’d love to do that. Skip the whole storage component. Mind if I ask the percentage you discount it? I’ve sold green a few times, and did it at about 20% less than what dry sells for. But I could see going 33% lower in bulk. So from like $300 to $200.
@ green we sell at $325 per full cord. Seasoned we sell for $375
For the last 25 years all the wood I make has been for my own consumption. Prior to that when my Dad and I sold wood we had customers asking for green wood assuming it would be a better price. I would remind them that we had just as much cost in the green pile as the seasoned pile. No price difference! Also, like you Brad, I was very reluctant to sell any green wood except to a couple of very trusted individuals who would season the wood appropriately. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Integrity - doing what’s right when you aren’t obligated to do so. Brad thank you for always doing what’s right
Good Morning Brad IMO, if you can sell every stick of firewood that you produce at a premium, there is no reason to sell any of it at a discount. Really, it's no more complicated than that. Keep up the good work.
Back in theb70s, firewood in New Hampshire was always sold green
When the processors started, a few people started selling seasoned firewood.
People were smarter back then. They planned ahead. It's a I want it now society.
I wish I could find some customers to sell green wood to. It would be a lot easier than going through the drying process and finding a place to store it all.
Morning brother…This is my first year starting to sell more wood. Like you Brad I am completely out of dry wood. My last customer only wanted 1/2 cord. Half was dry and the other half was “green” to me. (Pushing 30%)
I clearly noted and explained, that the green was NOT going to be ready this season. That was relayed by call, then text and ALSO noted on the invoice. What people do after I put that much effort into explaining and voicing the reasons why they shouldn’t burn green wood…is 100% on them. A lot of people understand here…but new customers need to be reminded. Do whatever makes you sleep ok at night brother. Great job 👍🔥
nice video, this machine indeed looks very convenient! It also splits wood quickly and efficiently.
Most of my sales are out of my roadside stand, but this year I sold 3 cords in 1/3-cord increments. I had ot turn several people away who also wanted 1/3-cord orders because I ran out of seasoned wood in those quantities. I'm a little worried about the wood in my stand not being fully-seasoned (Ash, only split 6 weeks ago,, but is measuring from 18-22%). I do have 1-customer that usually buys 1 or 2 cords of green oak, he wants it for his boiler and prefers to buy it green --- BUT, in that case we have an agreed understanding that he is getting green wood.
Brad, you are doing thing right (in my opinion)
I only do 30ish cords a year for sale. I have two customers that I reserve wood, I let them know it will be delivered when it gets dry. I can charge them more because they don’t have to store the wood and they are guaranteed product in about 8 months. I like to put the moisture content on my invoice.
For years I sold nothing but green wood because I had very limited storage space to season logs. I always sold with minimum of three months for the pinewood to dry. After that I'd warn the customers that I wouldn't burn that winter. A lot still did. The chimney sweeps probably loved those folks. You are a principled man. Congratulations, there aren't that many of those around nowadays. Cheers from HB NZ
I agree about the Principled man, Brad is good, I hope to meet up with him one day.
Great video man!
None of my customers are buying ahead of time and just like you I don’t sell green wood to them just because they could give your business a bad reputation. Only wood that I sell right away is ash that’s dead.
I totally agree, I too am concerned with the GReen Feedback! I do lawn care too.
I've asked a few of my customers who have nice areas to store wood if they want to get a year ahead and buy green wood. So far, no one has been interested. I'd be more than happy to split into the trailer and deliver it like Russ does, but nobody I've come across wants to. Also, running a pile of appropriate sized rounds through that six way wedge must be about as much fun as one can have in the woodyard😊
Nobody wants to help with the drying (the easiest job in firewood) so when they order October - March they get what they get.
Hey Brad, it’s been a while since I’ve watched a video. I don’t sell green wood,but would like to start. The cost savings is tremendous. When you can process wood right into a trailer and take it away you just saved the handling by 2 or 3 times, you get instant cash flow payment without dry times. Some of each is good too. Less storage area also. Your feeling a responsibility to these customers and possibly a potential law suit is of great concern. You almost feel you need to get a signed paper from the customer that they fully understand that the wood delivered should not be burned until the following year 9-12 months. I think I just talked myself out of green sales. Laws today scare me. Good to see you and watch again. Take care
Good morning Brad, if you look at our Woodyard, we have a full track axle load of dead logs. That’s been sitting there for six months and was dead standing standing. That way if they do want to burn it it’s in that 15% range.👍🇺🇸
Your responsibility to the customer is inform them at what they are buying plus anything special Instructions for the product. Feeling obligated to make sure everything is perfect it's not our job it is just like firewood at a reasonable price for the customer
You’re doing great selling green wood. Personally I do the same thing. Sell all seasoned wood but I have a few customers that I supply with green wood in the late spring to help extend my season of healthy income. As long as your transparent with what your selling your A-OK in my book! You covered all your bases.
What you did telling him that the wood was green and not ready to burn is reasonably, honest and fair. After that, the customer can do whatever he wants to do.
I’m a newbie, but I do have a customer who asked for a couple cords of larger splits for his woodstove for next year. Going to hit that soon👍
It's much easier for the customer if you figure out where to store and dry all that wood. Add in the fact that the warm weather is sticking around longer and people are holding back on spending and many will wait and see if they can do without it all together. I do know guys with ODB's that like to have green wood in the mix though.
Brad,it’s a good thing that you put it on the receipt for the customer so that you know and they know the wood is green I myself would have a certain cord amount but you do have your back covered with it on the receipt 😮😊❤
GM Brad, protect your interest. Your right, some people are tone deaf because they forget Q Tips. Available everywhere just like advice. 👍
Brad I did firewood for over 25 years I never sold dry wood it was all green I did not have the room or time to stack 50 tri-axle loads of wood and the cost at my cost that would be 40 thousand bucks to store wood for 1 year. My market I can not get 75 or 80 bucks per face cord that it should be worth when dry 60 is tops in my are. I made up a flier that explained the dangers of burning wet wood and had a phone number for a Chimmey sweep and told them on the phone before delivery its wet I would have them sign one that I would keep and they got one to keep I was more worried about them burning their house down and suing me for it. All was good for me never had a problem. So many of my customers are my good friends now sold out this past May and he is doing it the same way I help him out some he does not need to make the same mistakes I made lol.
You are a great mentor for the friend you are helping!!!
My first thought was the liability angle with chimney fires. I hadn't thought about being trolled on social media - what a world we live in.
Great information and video brother. Unfortunately, i have been on both ends of this conversation. I bought a house at the beginning of winter and inherited an empty wood supply. All the dry wood was sold out, so my only option was to burn green wood in my furnace for an entire winter. I have also sold green wood to customers in the same scenario. Hasn't bit me... Yet!
I wouldn't worry about it if they know it's green wood. Also you could make out receipts and have them sign it so they are knowledging what they are getting. Looks to me that you might wanna start looking into getting a processor since it would speed up the process and you could make more firewood in the same amount of time.
Hopefully, that customer doesn't try to drag your name through the mud after he tries to burn it. That's a tough one. Great video explaining your thoughts, Brad! - Tim
Great job Brad!!!!
I am just getting into the green wood thing!!
1 customer is trying it, i gave her a 1/4 cord just to see!
We will know more next fall when she wants to burn it!
Not to worry. You're honest, then it's the buyer's responsibility to understand. We heat our place 99% with 2 wood stoves ( no central furnace or mini splits ) . When once we HAD to buy CSD delivered we knew it would be green IN LATE WINTER/early spring. Stacked well it will be ready for the next winter. It's a "caveat emptor" thing. Most we cut ourselves, and gifts from an arborist friend or others that don't need firewood. Good take on a no problem. JMNSHO
One of the uneek things about Douglas fir. Is the hartwood of a growing green tree is generally 24% ish.
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Ive literally split off the sap wood, and used the hartwood after about a month or so, its about 20% or under, if you keep it out of the rain.
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Being its low of destiny it can literally pick up moisture if left without a roof over it.
Or most definitely pick up moisture when in direct contact with the ground.
As well as are humidity in winter is the opposite of the east coast.
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for an average the fir is 26" logs and about 3.5" of sapwood i bust off.
That leaves quite a bit of hartwood per round.
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On the flipside of the coin, we have red alder, same moisture content all the way through. And btu content that makes pine look impressive.
Its basically a weed tree.
Its the 3rd fastest rotting wood on earth, from what ive been told.
Hi Brad, a good problem to have and handled well. I am away from my woodyard and I feel guilty that I am not cuttin' and splitting to grow the inventory. However Thanksgiving week I will be there hunting and splitting a pile of Poplar that has been calling my name! Hey will there be a Thirsty Thursday on Thanksgiving??? Keith aka Cowboy Joy As for GRREEEN WOOD! I do not sell it, the people in area would spread bad vibs about the Biz.
Yes we will still do the live stream. Hopefully people can still attend
As Joe says.. "it's the customers job to dry the wood "..
Joe sells movie tickets for movies that won’t be released for a year, oftentimes to people who want to watch the movie that night.
Create the hype, only problem is green wood so heavy. Good topic
hi there .well back in the early 80's i would start cutting fire wood first of Oct.for burning that winter , never had any problem with it . not knowing all that much about dry wood , remember no web to learn from or moisture meters , but always burnt a real hot fire , ,knowing about chemny fires i cleaned it every year , it was always clean and clear never any build up of anything .now look at all the people with out door boilers . tons of cerasoad and build up including myself , i burn 2 year seasoned wood , i now have a pan to catch all the cerasode run off ,a quart each day ,i dry alot of wood on a scale to see when it is dry , 95% of all my kinds of wood loose 75% of there moisture in the first 3to 4 months , it all depends on how you burn it ,hot with alot of O2. and how often you burn , if you burn once a week you chimmeny gets cold and makes more condsate ,a hot chimmney wont do that , hope,this helps .i would sell it and do as you said ,write it on the receipt. a sale is a sale . all business have to change to the cousmsters needs / wants ,best to all john
This is my first year really selling. I have friends that are just now cutting wood for the winter.My area is full of seasoned green wood sellers. So much you can smell the oak like it was split in the parking lot of the convenience store its being sold at.The customers I'm picking up are making it clear they don't want water wood.
Use a different invoice for green wood that has a release of liability. Make them sign it when delivering.
I think a couple of green wood customers are ok. If more start to request,…then you might have to reconsider. Oak is hard to access in our area. So, it’s hard to tell if sellers are selling green, or truly seasoned wood. Other than that, we have a lot of Pine, Aspen, and a few other species. You can,…well I can split Aspen, and then sell it within a couple of weeks because it seasons very fast. I can absolutely see why you’re trying to get ahead. My boat is a little different. I want to get ahead so that I can go into cruise mode for next year’s winter. So, my plan is to hit it really hard toward this coming spring.
Only ki d of wood i would sell rite away would be sead ash and it wont leave unless i try a few spkits in my own wood stove
It comes down to how much time you have and how to produce the most profit you can achieve in that time. If you are time limited, sell wood in the form that produces the most income. If you have extra time, use it to produce what you can sell at a profit.
Hello everyone
* boiler owner * my boiler doesnt care and neither do i. Getting it out of the timber, to the house, and bucked is the choke point for me. I can split and dry as i choose, but if i had a person to buy good green rounds by the trailer load i would, every year. Seek out a specific buyer and keep your quality control decent. I think youre paying attention to the right things.
I'd say half my customers are green wood buyers and half are seasoned buyer. It's hard to keep an inventory available when it's that way but it's been that way for 15 yrs so I guess I make it work
Wet or dry, a customer is a customer. As long as they know what they’re getting/asking for, sell it all!!!
I sell to most folks green wood, they know about it, i make my wood for next year right now, stack it, then i move to green wood, usually start taking green wood (oak) to a few people that buy a year to 2 years ahead. Never had a problem.
I just slowly talked people into buying wood in the spring for fall. [Doug fir maple ] i have limited space for drying the wood.
Selling to folks a year or 9 months ahead has worked for me,
Just allows me to make 40 cords of wood in a 20x60 area.
Man that's 6 way is the cat's meow.
It really is.. with the proper sized rounds, it goes really quick
I have always cut firewood for myself and Family members I am usually 1 to 2 years ahead. Started selling some firewood this year loose stacking in bins has helped tremendously. Also have wood drying inside around wood stove around the clock . I am burning up ends knots and short pieces that we don't sell. Never attempted to sell green wood but I would think I might have a 5 cord minimum if i did. If they truly are buying ahead they will have the room to store it. I would sell it as this years price even though its next years wood.
I dont sell green firewood, we have enough around me who do that already!! They call it seasoned!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day
thanks for the video... I'll see green wood if I let the customer know..... full stop... if not... they won't return next season. that's it
I had one customer that when i had green wood, said when i told her if she wanted i could bring a 50/50 green and seasoned load. A lot of people like it this way and it burns a lot longer. But of course if you only have green, then this could be a bit of a problem. I like to have a place with green and a place with wood that's been diwn for a year or is dead. But you can't always do that.
I’ve been selling more green wood to my customers. I make sure they know it’s green and unseasoned. Once I’m paid, what they choose do with it is their business. It would take a special kind of person to go ahead and bad mouth your wood after you were extremely clear on what they were buying although I’m sure those people are out there.
As for staying ahead, would it be possible to deliver one trailer load of green Firewood here and there to your 10 cord customer instead of processing it all over the course of a couple weeks? Giving you time to produce for them and for your own seasoned supply?
I sell osage orange aka hedge here in Kansas. I have 1 customer that will buy logs year-round green or dry. He stays about a year ahead on his piles. What do you do with logs that are to small to split? I only ever see huge logs that you cut up and split. Do you throw all the smaller branch logs away? Love the videos keep up the good work
At 30 %.. freash split from log will dry fairly quickly.. maple is a better option for fast drying wood.. oak forget it
You can always buy cheap seasoned firewood split the big ones down a little if u have to and resell it. I used to buy out 4 or 5 people bc they only wanted 60 a face. About 20-35 cords worth i didn't have to stack and season. Just sort the junk ugly pieces out for boilerwood. Having 100 cords of green wood orders would be ideal bc u don't have to store it and u get paid right away. All depends on what the margins are for green vs seasoned and how much firewood u Want to be tossing and loading next fall in a few weeks. With bins and cones you'll have probably 2x the amount of seasoned hardwoods by next fall.
get him to sign off on a copy of your invoice acknowledging that it is not ready to burn.
so 3 yrs ago here in uk in garages and petrol stations they sold wet wood and did do for decades now last yr was 1st yr our government told us u can only burn dried wood so what changed
Valid concern with the 2 cord customer. As a home firewood processor and user I don't get too wrapped up in the 20% moisture threshold. But as a businessman, I wouldn't want my product or service to receive poor feedback because the customer got exactly what they asked for. Maye it's a winter camper looking for campfire wood that's unavailable right now?
I dont know what the problem is about selling green it will burn here in Wv or my area they donit all the time!! Now yeah, it smokes an not good for the stove, but they don't care . No one in my area is ahead for firewood to be dry. Now i know all this, and that's why me and my block buster processor and I are going to split every day and be ready to set myself apart. We get 375 a cord here.
If you have a cadre of repeat customers, then establishing sufficient supplies of wood for them seems to me to be paramount. They've been loyal repeat customers. I'm not sure, but I suspect the green wood interest may be in some cases a way to receive a discount. If that causes you to lose loyal repeat customers of seasoned wood, the I'd question the value of the green wood customers. If the price is the same, then I'm at a loss as to what decision I would make in tis regard.
I have a roadside bundle stand, with my wood yard in my side yard. People often come take my freshly split, and stacked wood. I feel bad for them, because they're taking two week old split wood, that's going to do nothing but smoke them out. And they're going to talk shit about my shitty burning wood, that they came on to my property and took. Yes they paid, but if there's not bundles out front, there's not wood for sale. I'm trying to get my wood ready for next year, yet people keep taking my wet drying wood without my permission.
I used to sell a lot of green wood, no one wanted to burn it just smart people seizing upon a deal, both in the city and country. Because of my small operation, high cost of city living, and the lower price of the wood, I cut out the rare city customers and the 3 cord average customers up north that I would deliver myself to, and only sending a 40 yard bin out once in a while with 6 cords of ugly 16 inch, or boiler wood, stuff that I don't want to keep.
I was stacking a full cord in a 6,0 Silverado with a cage around the bed for delivery up north and even when I switched to a two cord diesel dumper and it still wasn't worth going up north. I'm now happy. I lost customers who switched to gas or sold their property and such but now I have two police officers who buy my both my 6 cord boiler or firewood loads.
In the end, I'm happy selling more wood at full pop, while being loyal to and taking care of appreciative return customers
Integrity is how a man acts, and what he does when no one is watching. I myself would say ''when I am out of dry wood I am out of saleable wood''.
A sale is a sale. You're covering your but as much as you can. You could also only offer the green wood for part of the year. Say, spring through early summer. Having it listed as green or seasoned in your advertising would be one more layer of coverage.
Hey Brad, Mark here, just starting out in the business. My plan is to sell split this season firewood but I have an ace in my sleeve. My buddy owns the logging business and he is willing to put aside the standing dead logs for me. I will have green as well but I'm trying to figure out what to call that "dryer" wood. Take care have a great weekend. 🪵🇨🇦🇺🇸🔥🌴
I used to sell all my firewood green because most of my customers buy a year or so in advance.
I'm selling green wood during spring with a discount. I don't need to move and store it, don't have the risk, that it starts rotting or what so ever. We mainly have birch, spruce and pine. If it's cut during autumn or early winter, cutted in march/april and stored at the right place, it is ready to burn for the next winter. So i give people an instruction how to store it the best way to make sure it is ready to burn the next winter. I've cutted some logs in September and put them in a room with an open door, used a small electric fan to push air through that room and out of an open window. It took about 4-6 weeks to dry from about 30-35% to 18-22% with no external heater, the fan consumed about 40watts, it costed about 7$ to get it dry, that was absolutely worth it for about 1.5cords.
Can't add anything to what you've said. It sure would be nice if we didn't have to turn that clock back, it's dark here in PA by 5 p.m.
I have one customer that gets half and half, she’s the only one I now sell any green wood. Use to be I would sell green but people assumed there’s a discount, nope. Now I just say I’m out of wood.
Umm interesting video for me looking in it looks like it’s growing faster then you had plan good problems but a problem in it self all the best from the uk
If you cut firewood for yourself its going to be green and thus require seasoning before being burnt. If a firewood purveyor sells you fully-seasoned hardwood ready to be burnt, then as the consumer purchasing the firewood it's only reasonable to expect to pay significanty more per true 4'×8'×4' cord. A price per cord that is 2-2.5 times the price per cord of the exact same species of hardwood that is split into the exact same size pieces but in a newly cut, newly split state isn't an unreasonable amount to have to expect to pay.
You need to join the outdoor boiler group, they take great pride in their ability to burn wet wood. LOL
I always get a kick out of that lol I have a boiler and no they don’t like green wood! , learned that lesson the hard way by all the constant cleaning I had to do 🤣 I can’t speak for everyone’s units but I know my Taylor 450 says no thank you I’ll take it dry
I do not and have not sold green firewood. I know people that have and it came back to haunt them. Even when they tell them it won't burn . People run their mouth and damage your reputation. I personally don't think it is worth it.
However if they are repeat customers they already know your quality. Use your best judgment.
Looks like you’ll be working yourself into an electric bundler soon with increased sales. That is my concern with selling green wood as well. You know people will burn it and blame you. We’re still going to try a few loads and see how it goes.
Bundles are the ticket!
When I was selling firewood full time I would sell whatever the customer wanted. No discounts for green. Its the same wood once its dry. But I would always be sure to only sell what the customer wanted. Many people buy a year ahead and let it dry. But I would never sell anything not fully dry to a customer who wanted to burn it right away.
I just sell seasoned firewood. It is worth quite a bit more than green. It's like money in the bank. It's not worth the stress being behind all the time. I have sold out of seasoned firewood each year for many years.
Problem is solved, as you said: "Getting ahead & staying ahead". With you switching over to piles, that will greatly help you achieve that goal. Had a customer ask if I would sell 'rounds'; "NO! - cause it would be the same price as seasoned, split firewood. I have to pay for my Tri-axle load & make some profit."
Watch out for those nasty rakes - Don't need another "One eyed Customs" YT channel.
Back in the day, my neighbour used to buy green wood. It was $10 off a face cord and only available for a limited period in the spring (Mar-June). For the really good customers who you know will burn this year - any ash around? PS Love the Eastonmade flag flying high.
when i sell green wood to someone i just put it on the invoice. but very seldom happens to be honest.
Only one green customer. Can I assume there are no discounts for green wood? Based off the fact you sell out each year. Take care Brad.
I do not offer discounts on green wood. I do have a deal with my 10 cord customer since he buys so much every year.
As long as you cover your bases, have the information in writing, with the customers signature, you're good. You are going to get the odd ball that won't listen and does their own thing but that should be nominal. Sent an email with no response. Stay safe.
Can you resend?
Either or, but have proof that the customers know thst the wood is green. Green wood saves space and the times you handle it
Green wood is all I sale I just tell everybody upfront that it is Green and everybody is fine with it aslong as you tell them upfront
We have a few that buy ahead and want green wood. We have some deer hunting camps that don't care, burning in a firepit.
Green wood only gets a small discount and they have to be able to take it when it's convenient for me.
I always season my wood. Check out the end of my last video. We always make aure we are well seasoned!!!!
1st I’d sell all I could for the next year customer! 2nd I first thought documentation’s would be the answer but unfortunately “the nasty word of mouth” will still be out there. Being a conscious vendor as yourself I’d be hesitant to sell green for this year usage unless you personally know them. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Just tell them it is wet and if complaints go online you will use a plunger 🪠on them like the police do here in NY!
I try and advertise green wood for 20% cheaper and I can't move it. Everyone I sell to is mostly campfires and they want ready to burn and small amounts
I sale green wood but only to customers that ask for it for the year ahead .but there is not much of a discount on green still the work into it .
Do you sell firewood green for the same price as dried/seasoned?
Only joe barney sells unseasoned green firewood.
For me, I only sell green wood to people I know won’t try to burn it. The thing that makes me nervous, the customer trying to burn green wood and having issues with house fire, messed up chimney and trying to sue you.
I like to sell it green. Less work for me and save them some money. I really like to do 50 50 seem be good number.
To each his own. Selling wood that has not sat for a year is just the wrong thing to do in my wood drying situation. Yours is different. Selling green wood in my opinion is reputation destroying and simply not safe. A dollar is not worth either thing. FYI. In a person does not care if the wood is dry do you think they care enough to clean their chimney? No. It’s a chimney fire waiting to happen. But that’s not your worry it’s theirs. That’s how society is these days. You have to eat
Why be conflicted. Lots of people buy green wood every year to stay 2 or 3 years ahead plus there is usually a savings on green wood and sellers like it because they are getting money from the start and it keeps wood yard space freed up for seasoned wood..
It's hard to understand people who would try to burn green wood inside their home. There's just too much at risk.
If I had that customer... The order would probably get delivered in May out of the bin. Yes it's an extra step but burning their house down isn't on your shoulders.
With my bundle business I only sell seasoned wood. Like you said people will complain even when they are told it’s not ready to burn. I would only sell green to trusted customers. I wouldn’t advertise that you offer green wood. Just let that be word of mouth.
Years ago I used to get a load of green wood and if I stacked it in my garage, by the time I got through the dry wood towards the end of the winter it burned fine. You have valid points though. Currently only sell bundle wood during the summer
I feel your pain. I’m in the same situation. Question- are you selling green wood at a discount?
Also, I tried piling 50 face cord of wood as an experiment (instead of stacking) a couple months ago on two layers of pallets to see how it dries. Now before the results are in I feel pressured to have to sell it. I don’t want to loose my reputation for best wood around.
No discount. I do have a special deal with my 10 cord customer since he buys so much every year
Hey Brad. Love the channel! I just wanted to mention something to you about running the your splitter. I see you were loading your rounds by dropping them, almost throwing them in the splitter. I remember learning that if you drop, or throw an object, it increased the force by 3 times. It can be very hard on equipment compared to just placing the wood on the splitter. Just a thought. Keep the content coming!!!!
I mean technically aren’t they “next years customers”?
LOL, i guess