Have you ever heard the term “Urban Lumberjack”? Read on to learn of how
one American cashes in every time he hears the wind whistling.
Last fall and winter, I cut enough firewood to heat my seven-room house and
bring in a substantial profit ...even though my home is in the heart of
suburban New Jersey, only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan! And if you live in
or near a large city, as I do, you might also be able to keep your woodpile
high—while earning a steady income—by cashing in on readily available free
fuel.
Just about every country dweller realizes the value of good cordwood,
you see, but in the cities and suburbs great quantities of this valuable
natural fuel go to waste every year. Scrap wood from urban building projects is
just as often discarded as it is recycled, and streets in many older
residential neighborhoods are lined with massive oaks and maples that are
regularly trimmed. So anyone with a little free time, a few tools, and some
elementary knowledge of woodcutting can help him- or herself to a bonanza of
free-for-the-hauling firewood.
Open for Business
I launched my career as an urban lumberjack when Hurricane David's violent
winds littered the streets of my New Jersey town with enough tree trunks and
tree limbs to fuel a whole battalion of stoves.
As I watched the city's cleanup crews feeding cord after cord of
perfectly good wood into the steel jaws of chipping machines, I had a
brainstorm: Who would object if I were to reach some of the fallen timber before
the municipal workers did, and cut the logs to cart home for my fireplace? I
set to it right away, and within a couple of afternoons—using only a bucksaw
and a compact car— I collected nearly two cords of wood!
After that encouraging start, my project quickly mushroomed into a small
but steady business, which brought in over $1,000 last year (not including the
cash I saved by reducing my own heating bills). I've discovered numerous
sources of free wood to supply my own fireplace and stove. I now have a long
list of customers to whom I can sell the surplus, and my profits have enabled
me to buy a chain saw, a used pickup truck, and a new airtight wood stove.
I'm willing to bet that you could easily duplicate my success whether
you plan to cut wood just for your personal needs, or to harvest enough to
start a full-scale delivery service. However, although urban lumberjacking is
relatively easy to break into, it isn't an ideal line of work for
everyone. The initial investment in equipment doesn't have to be large, but you
will have to spend many hours cutting, splitting, and stacking wood. If you're
not prepared to make that kind of commitment, you'd better plan to pay for
having your fuel delivered to your doorstep this winter. On the other hand, if
the idea of being your own boss and working up a good honest sweat with
vigorous outdoor work does appeal to you, then read on ...and good luck!
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