Wood Fuel Supplies Management Advice
We have been successfully supplying seasoned logs to the local area, here at Dowdeswell Forestry Services for over 25 years and the current demand for logs is ever expanding. Unlike gas or electric, wood fuel supplies can not be turned on at the flick of a switch and must be carefully managed in order to keep your home toasty throughout the year. We pride ourselves on our great value for money, high volume loads but you must order them in advance to allow the logs sufficient time to dry.
To utilise wood fuel successfully your supplies must be managed. This can be done simply by ordering your logs in advance and not waiting until the last minute and letting your stocks run out. We advise that you keep at least half the amount you can store in front of yourself so there is always stock available. Stocking up during the summer months is ideal and then keep the wood topped up in advance during the winter.
The ideal solution is to keep yourself a year in advance so that your wood is always dry and ready to burn. We know for some people that is not possible but the key to utilising wood fuels successfully is not to allow your stocks to completely run out.
Keep your wood store full and your home warm all year round.
To utilise wood fuel successfully your supplies must be managed. This can be done simply by ordering your logs in advance and not waiting until the last minute and letting your stocks run out. We advise that you keep at least half the amount you can store in front of yourself so there is always stock available. Stocking up during the summer months is ideal and then keep the wood topped up in advance during the winter.
The ideal solution is to keep yourself a year in advance so that your wood is always dry and ready to burn. We know for some people that is not possible but the key to utilising wood fuels successfully is not to allow your stocks to completely run out.
Keep your wood store full and your home warm all year round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your logs Kiln dried?
Our logs are ready to burn and naturally seasoned. The wood is stored outside for at least 1 year (one season) in our yard in the round as large lengths of timber. It is then cut, split and stored in our barns, with good natural air flow and warmth to let to dry naturally over time. Some species of wood will season faster than others.
How should I best store my logs once delivered?
Once delivered it is recommended to stack the logs somewhere dry but with good air flow, this will allow the logs to dry quickly and efficiently. If you're lucky enough to have a shed or an outhouse that is a great option as your logs will stay dry and protected from the elements.
If you don't then you can store them outside, just make sure they are covered with a tarpaulin as there is always a danger of rain in the UK!!
You don't need a fancy log store, you can simply create a storage area from some old pallets, this makes sure the logs are lifted off the floor and then stack them with gaps between them, there is an art to log stacking, each layer needs to be facing in the opposite direction. Just remember Airflow is key!
What is the moisture content of your logs?
Moisture content can vary and is dependant upon a wide range of factors, including how you store them. As our logs are ready to burn the average moisture content of our logs will be below 20% but this can rise and fall depending recent weather conditions. It also depends what the weather is like on the day of your delivery, if it is raining hard then the logs will have surface water on them, this isn't a problem, just place them somewhere with good airflow, leave them about a week and that moisture will soon be gone.
Are all of your logs hardwood?
Yes, our logs are all 100% british hardwood, felled by our staff from within 50 miles of our yard. Predominately our logs are Ash and Beech but there is also a mixture of other broadleaves, including Sycamore, Cherry, Oak and Birch. So when you buy logs from us , you’re supporting local business, local jobs and burning responsibly sourced firewood from sustainably managed woodlands.
What kind of truck do you use to deliver as I only have a small driveway?
No problem. We have a fleet of tipping flat bed trucks that we use to deliver our logs. If you have special delivery requirements then please let us know so that we can select the correct vehicle.
Are you able to stack my logs for me?
Yes, we can stack your logs for an additional charge of £20 per cubic metre. So 1m3 = £20 and 2m3 = £40
This MUST be booked before delivery.
Can you cut my logs to a specific size?
Our standard logs are cut at 9" in length. However, we have logs available from 8" (smallest size) 12", 15" and 18" (largest size)
Returns and Refund Policy.
At Dowdeswell Forestry Ltd we are committed to supplying quality firewood. In the unlikely event a customer is not entirely happy with their purchase, complaints must be registered to us within 7 days of the delivery of logs.
In simple terms, if you aren’t happy, please contact us by phone or email and we promise to do our best to sort it out for you. We will endeavour to collect the unwanted logs from you as soon as possible and issue you with a refund or if you'd rather we can replace the firewood with no quibbles.
Our logs are ready to burn and naturally seasoned. The wood is stored outside for at least 1 year (one season) in our yard in the round as large lengths of timber. It is then cut, split and stored in our barns, with good natural air flow and warmth to let to dry naturally over time. Some species of wood will season faster than others.
How should I best store my logs once delivered?
Once delivered it is recommended to stack the logs somewhere dry but with good air flow, this will allow the logs to dry quickly and efficiently. If you're lucky enough to have a shed or an outhouse that is a great option as your logs will stay dry and protected from the elements.
If you don't then you can store them outside, just make sure they are covered with a tarpaulin as there is always a danger of rain in the UK!!
You don't need a fancy log store, you can simply create a storage area from some old pallets, this makes sure the logs are lifted off the floor and then stack them with gaps between them, there is an art to log stacking, each layer needs to be facing in the opposite direction. Just remember Airflow is key!
What is the moisture content of your logs?
Moisture content can vary and is dependant upon a wide range of factors, including how you store them. As our logs are ready to burn the average moisture content of our logs will be below 20% but this can rise and fall depending recent weather conditions. It also depends what the weather is like on the day of your delivery, if it is raining hard then the logs will have surface water on them, this isn't a problem, just place them somewhere with good airflow, leave them about a week and that moisture will soon be gone.
Are all of your logs hardwood?
Yes, our logs are all 100% british hardwood, felled by our staff from within 50 miles of our yard. Predominately our logs are Ash and Beech but there is also a mixture of other broadleaves, including Sycamore, Cherry, Oak and Birch. So when you buy logs from us , you’re supporting local business, local jobs and burning responsibly sourced firewood from sustainably managed woodlands.
What kind of truck do you use to deliver as I only have a small driveway?
No problem. We have a fleet of tipping flat bed trucks that we use to deliver our logs. If you have special delivery requirements then please let us know so that we can select the correct vehicle.
Are you able to stack my logs for me?
Yes, we can stack your logs for an additional charge of £20 per cubic metre. So 1m3 = £20 and 2m3 = £40
This MUST be booked before delivery.
Can you cut my logs to a specific size?
Our standard logs are cut at 9" in length. However, we have logs available from 8" (smallest size) 12", 15" and 18" (largest size)
Returns and Refund Policy.
At Dowdeswell Forestry Ltd we are committed to supplying quality firewood. In the unlikely event a customer is not entirely happy with their purchase, complaints must be registered to us within 7 days of the delivery of logs.
In simple terms, if you aren’t happy, please contact us by phone or email and we promise to do our best to sort it out for you. We will endeavour to collect the unwanted logs from you as soon as possible and issue you with a refund or if you'd rather we can replace the firewood with no quibbles.
