Are you a homeowner with a surplus of wood on your property? Selling bundled firewood at the end of your driveway or along the road can be a profitable and environmentally friendly way to clear out excess timber.

This guide will provide you with essential tips and strategies for getting started and making the process convenient for your customers, focusing on camping needs.

Understanding Legal and Safety Considerations

Before you begin selling firewood, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with local regulations and safety guidelines. Check with your local government to ensure that selling firewood is permitted in your area and if there are specific rules regarding wood transportation to prevent the spread of invasive species. Additionally, maintaining a safe, accessible area for customers to stop and pick up wood is essential.

Preparing Your Firewood

Quality is key when selling firewood for camping. Campers often prefer wood that burns clean and long, so hardwoods like oak, maple, and birch are top choices. Here’s how to prepare your firewood:

• Season the Wood: Ensure the wood is well-seasoned, which typically takes about six months to a year. Seasoned wood has a moisture content of 20% or less, which makes it easier to ignite and burn more efficiently.
• Cut to Standard Sizes: Bundle your wood in standard lengths (usually 16 to 18 inches) to ensure it fits easily into campfire pits and portable wood stoves.
• Split for Convenience: Split the wood into manageable pieces that can be easily handled and stoked in a fire. This increases the wood's surface area, making it easier to light.

Pricing and Bundling

Typically, firewood is sold by the "bundle," which is about .75 cubic feet - however, many roadside stands will sell aim to put about 6-7 pieces of firewood in a single bundle.

Reasonable pricing is essential for drawing in campers. Here at Stacked.camp we’ve seen firewood range from $6 - $12 per bundle with a typical price of around $8. Research local firewood prices to set a competitive rate but be considerate of typical campers, who will likely want to buy 1-4 bundles.

Another tip is to consider pricing your bundles to maximize purchase with a $20-bill. For example, you could price your bundles at $7-each with a deal of 3 for $20. While its not the full value, its close enough and will make the camper’s life much easier!

Packaging

Use sturdy twine or netting to keep each bundle secure. If possible, avoid wrapping the wood in plastic to prevent litter! Its also a good idea to attach a twine handle or loop to make lifting the bundle into a vehicle easier.

Marketing Your Firewood

Visibility is crucial in attracting campers and firewood customers:

• Signage: Place clear, visible signs that can be easily read by passersby. If possible, add a sign 1/4-mile or so from your driveway in either direction to allow drivers to slow down safely. Something as simple as “Campfire wood next right” is perfect.
• Add It On Stacked.camp: Many campers like to do some research ahead of time to ensure they have a great experience. By adding your new firewood stand to our community-powered map, you’ll increase the likelihood of campers finding you! Add Now →

Make It Easy!

Make the buying process as simple as possible:

• Self-Service Stand: Set up a self-service area where customers can pick up firewood anytime. Clearly mark the price and payment instructions.
• Honesty Payment Box: Implement a secure and easy-to-use honesty box for payments. Most honesty boxes are simple lockboxes, with a slot cut at the top that is just wide enough for money, but not for a hand.
• Fire Starters & Kindling: Consider selling fire starters or small bundles of sticks as kindling alongside the bundles. We’ve seen these at a handful of firewood stands as either free (one-per-purchase) or priced at half the cost of a bundle.

Selling firewood from your property can be a rewarding venture, providing campers with essential supplies while giving you a way to manage your land’s resources sustainably. With the right preparation and a focus on customer convenience, you can turn your woodpile into a profitable and appreciated local business! Best of luck!!