Want to Gather Your Own Firewood? Why Owning a Woodland Might Be the Answer

There’s something deeply satisfying about the crackle of a wood burner on a cold evening, the warmth, the flicker of the flames, the soft scent of wood smoke in the air. Since moving from London to Kent two years ago, I’ve come to appreciate the ritual of stacking logs by the fire and feeling the simple comfort that only real wood heat can bring.

But as anyone with a wood burner knows, the colder months quickly eat through your log supply. Each autumn, as the nights draw in, I find myself thinking how incredible it would be to gather my own firewood, to turn it into a family ritual, perhaps even with my son as he grows up, collecting and stacking the logs that will warm our home through the winter.

What many people don’t realise, though, is that you can’t simply head into the nearest forest or woodland and collect fallen branches. Even dead wood remains the property of the landowner, and taking it without permission can technically count as theft.

That said, there is a way to make the dream of collecting your own firewood a reality, by owning a small piece of woodland.

Specialist organisations like woodlands.co.uk make this surprisingly achievable. They sell small parcels of woodland across the UK, sometimes starting from just an acre or two. These plots can be broadleaf, coniferous, or mixed, and they offer not only a legal way to source your own sustainable firewood but also the chance to learn about woodland management and conservation firsthand.

For many new owners, what begins as a practical way to supply logs for the fire soon becomes something much deeper, a personal connection with nature, a retreat from everyday life, and a legacy to pass on to future generations.

When it comes to the best firewood trees, there’s a wide variety to choose from in the UK. Each species burns differently, offering its own character and warmth. As Anton Baskerville from Woodlands.co.uk explains:

• Oak: Dense, long-burning and rich in heat — perfect for those slow, glowing embers that keep you warm through the night. Just be prepared for a bit of effort, as it needs 18–24 months to season properly.

• Ash: Often considered the classic firewood. It burns beautifully, even when green, though a year of seasoning makes all the difference.

• Birch: Lights quickly and burns bright, giving off good heat, but doesn’t last long. It’s ideal for a quick, cheerful fire.

• Beech: Great for heat and burn time, but needs at least 18 months to season. Fallen beech branches are perfect for gathering.

• Conifers (Pine, Spruce, Larch): Fast to ignite and fragrant, though resinous — best left to season for a year to reduce smoke.

Beyond the practicality of supplying your own logs, woodland ownership offers something less tangible but perhaps more rewarding: the peace of being outdoors, the rhythm of the seasons, and the joy of nurturing a living landscape.

For me, the idea of owning a small woodland isn’t just about firewood, it’s about giving my son the chance to grow up surrounded by trees, to see how nature changes through the year, and to learn the patience that comes with working with the land. There’s something grounding about that, something we lose in the rush of city life but rediscover the moment we step into a quiet clearing, saw in hand, mist in the air.

So, if the idea of gathering your own firewood appeals, not just for the warmth it brings but for the experience it offers, it might be time to look into owning a small woodland of your own. With a bit of care, you can create a space that provides heat, peace, and connection, all from the same trees that you tend and respect.

Photo by david lindahl on Unsplash