For free wood in any area, try 1.going to new construction sites when they are clearing lots. 2.Stopping and speaking to tree service guys when you see them in the area (or hear the music from their saws & chippers). 3. Look for piles of wood out to somebodys curb.
I live in NYC and heat my house entirely with wood and have never paid for it. Most of my wood now comes from where the NYC parks dept. dumps the wood they cut, or from a commercial land clearing operation when it is piled up before it's chipped. I like the latter two methods better because I can be more picky about what I take when there is a pile of oak, maple, ash , and cherry.
Some cautions. If you get a tree service to deliver to your house for free (the most anyone ever asked for was a case of coronas) You cant be to selective about what you get....notches, crotches, and carpenter ants.
If you find wood in front of someones house, ask if you can take it. and split a piece before you load up your truck it sucks to see that the wood is beginning to rot after you get it to your place.
If you ask a commercial tree operation to bring you wood, there is always the possibility they might think you want wood when you dont. My dad once recieved an "unscheduled delivery" that blocked his car in the driveway for a week and a half!
