Here I have a bro-in-law who asks me this, how many acres would one need to be able to sustain themselves with firewood? I know there's alot of variables in this, such as OWB/firewood stoves/fireplaces etc. But lets assume a owner needs to have 5 cords a year for himself to use for 5 or 6 months a year. And lets assume there are various age class of trees on the property and a mix of good/bad trees for the firewood piles. And I am assuming a home owner can always get a couple trees from neighbors/friends (in other words this is not a live and freeze to death situation.)
I told my BIL that I would think a good 20/30ac will work. Since oaks take alot longer time for them to become good producers I think some folks may plant some good tree species every year so that there is renewable resources and I of course told him he can get venison from his property and here in VA you can get 6 deer so that is a good source of meat
Anyway...from you guys who have small properties..what would you say is the minimum # of acres where they wanted to get a good supply of wood from?
I say prolly 20 to 30 ac is good but can probably go smaller tract if they are willing to scourge for wood and cut up dead fallen trees on other neighbors orpperty etc.
I told my BIL that I would think a good 20/30ac will work. Since oaks take alot longer time for them to become good producers I think some folks may plant some good tree species every year so that there is renewable resources and I of course told him he can get venison from his property and here in VA you can get 6 deer so that is a good source of meat
Anyway...from you guys who have small properties..what would you say is the minimum # of acres where they wanted to get a good supply of wood from?
I say prolly 20 to 30 ac is good but can probably go smaller tract if they are willing to scourge for wood and cut up dead fallen trees on other neighbors orpperty etc.