BPS. LLC
ArboristSite Operative
It seems like the economy has hurt the local logging industy here. Not that its very big here anyway, but I a buddy that is an owner operator of a grapple truck and he said he is only working one two days a week hauling to the paper mill. He mostly hauls for tree services and land clearing companies.
Another friend that has a tree service is slow, but steady. He has about a weeks worth of work ahead of him, where a few years ago he had several weeks, at least over a month.
I think, at least in my area that there will be firewood shortages for the next burning season. There will always be guys that cut their own...but for the breed of people that buy wood, I think it is going to be more difficult and more expensive overall.
I have a few reasons for my theory. The slow logging industry in the area. The guys have talked to say they are slower this year than they have been in the last decade. Also, I'm sure there has been a surge in wood stove sales because of the tax credit. There's going to be a bunch of new people burning wood next year. Finally, electric gets deregulated in my area for next year. When people get the sticker shock of 50-70% electric rate increases like they did in Maryland, they are going to start burining more wood. And finally, fuel costs are going up again.
These are just my opinions, feel free to tell me how wrong I am...the guys that cut their own obviously won't be effected, but I'm thinking this could be good for the "commercial firewood producer" in my area. I used to have lower prices in the late summer. I think I'm going to maintain my price and possibly tack on a small delivery fee.
Another friend that has a tree service is slow, but steady. He has about a weeks worth of work ahead of him, where a few years ago he had several weeks, at least over a month.
I think, at least in my area that there will be firewood shortages for the next burning season. There will always be guys that cut their own...but for the breed of people that buy wood, I think it is going to be more difficult and more expensive overall.
I have a few reasons for my theory. The slow logging industry in the area. The guys have talked to say they are slower this year than they have been in the last decade. Also, I'm sure there has been a surge in wood stove sales because of the tax credit. There's going to be a bunch of new people burning wood next year. Finally, electric gets deregulated in my area for next year. When people get the sticker shock of 50-70% electric rate increases like they did in Maryland, they are going to start burining more wood. And finally, fuel costs are going up again.
These are just my opinions, feel free to tell me how wrong I am...the guys that cut their own obviously won't be effected, but I'm thinking this could be good for the "commercial firewood producer" in my area. I used to have lower prices in the late summer. I think I'm going to maintain my price and possibly tack on a small delivery fee.