You can collect firewood from some of our forests
To collect firewood, you need:
- a firewood permit from us
- to only collect firewood to use yourself.
We can reject your firewood permit if we find that you have been:
- collecting firewood illegally
- selling firewood.
We do planned burning of our forests between March and June every year. This means that we may burn areas where you can collect firewood during this time.
You can buy a firewood permit from this website or from your local office.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a firewood permit if I can’t use the website?
You can buy a permit from your closest office. You can find our office opening hours at Contact us. Our people can help you to fill out the forms for the permit.
Where can I collect firewood?
We choose areas on Permanent Timber Production Zone land where you can collect firewood. These are areas where we’ve recently harvested trees. There is then some leftover wood that you can collect for firewood.
We choose these areas based on:
- how safe they are
- how easy they are to get to
- environmental reasons
When you buy a firewood permit, you can choose one or two areas where you want to collect firewood.
Do I have to carry my firewood permit with me?
Yes. You need to have your firewood permit with you when you’re collecting firewood. If a police or forestry officer asks for it, you need to show them your firewood permit.
Can I cut down trees where I’m collecting firewood?
No. You’re not allowed to cut down trees where you’re collecting firewood. Our firewood permit doesn’t allow you to cut down any tree that’s standing – even if the tree is dead. You can only cut wood that is already on the ground.
How much firewood can I collect?
When you buy a firewood permit from us you pay for a set amount of wood. You can only collect as much firewood as you paid for with your permit. If you have a standard monthly firewood permit you can collect a minimum of 2 cubic metres of firewood in the 30 day permit period. If you have a gatherer’s permit you can collect 15 cubic metres of wood.
Over a year, one person can collect up to 30 cubic metres of firewood all together.
This means in a year you can buy:
- up to 15 standard firewood permits
- two gatherer’s permits.
Why do you close areas where you can collect firewood?
We close areas where you can collect firewood for three main reasons:
- the area doesn’t have enough wood on the ground for people to collect for firewood
- we are going to burn the area to regenerate the forest.
- we are replanting trees
Why can’t I get a gatherer’s permit all year round?
We only have gatherers permits in spring and summer (November to April). This is the best time to collect firewood. The weather is good and the wood on the ground is dry and burns better.