How to Prepare Tree Limbs for Firewood

Having the proper tools makes any job easier to complete. When you're chopping trees and tree limbs into pieces small enough to use as firewood, the proper trimming tools not only help you, they keep you safe.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Safety goggles
• Gloves
• Loppers
• Chain saw
• Wedge
• Ax

1. Start by putting on your protective gear before you get out your tree trimming tools. Always wear goggles and a quality set of gloves to protect yourself from flying splinters.

2. Select a good pair of loppers for trimming small branches, twigs and leaves from the tree. Most tree limbs can be used as firewood or kindling, so gather them for later use. Only the very smallest pieces should be discarded.

3. Use a chainsaw to cut off limbs and branches too large for loppers. The chainsaw is also the best tool to cut the body of the tree into appropriate lengths, which can then be split into firewood.

4. Choose an ax or a splitter with a wedge to split the logs you cut with your chainsaw. Cutting them makes them much easier to store and burn. You can rent a log splitter at most home and garden supply stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Never go to cut firewood alone. Should an accident happen, your companion can call for help immediately. Likewise, it helps to carry a fully-charged cell phone.