If you've driven through the suburban areas of the city or the countryside lately, you've probably noticed the large amount of firewood stacked by many of the homes in these areas. The cost of heating fuel has caused more and more people to use woodburning stoves and enclosed fireplaces to help warm their houses.

I've had a woodburner in my home for many years, but have used it sparingly, until recently. A few months ago, I bought a new chain saw and developed a very serious attitude toward this natural energy source. For over a month now, my stove has been working tirelessly to keep my house thermostat from turning my furnace on.

When I'm in the woods at the rear of my property, cutting maple, oak and hickory trees into 20 inch logs, I'm motivated by the thought that as long as I keep sawing and hauling this renewable resource to my stove, I won't be writing checks to pay for fossil fuels.

This is not the only advantage, of course. The exercise is beneficial, and, as seasoned woodcutters are fond of saying about this natural fuel, “You get warmed twice. Once when you cut it, and once when you burn it.”

Sometimes you may even get help with your work. My friend, Joe Vitale, often stops by to assist me in cutting and stacking wood. Joe appreciates the opportunity to get some outside exercise in a natural setting. I told him that he's become quite a woodsman, and that I would be glad to tell anyone that I taught him everything I know. He laughed.

Woodcutting can be enjoyable, but it is also serious business. Safety is always a concern. Gloves and eye protection should always be worn, and one should always be alert to his/her work area. Move slowly and deliberately while working, always being careful as to where you place your feet. A trip and fall while running a chainsaw could be disastrous. Be sure to know exactly what and where you're cutting. Things like old wire fencing and branches from other trees can have a way of finding their way into your cutting area, and nothing dulls a saw chain faster than hitting the ground with it.

If you decide to buy firewood already cut, remember a cord of wood measures 4'x4'x8'. A “face cord” measures 4'x8' and the logs are as long as the “sawyer” or the seller chooses. Be sure to ask about this. And be sure it is well seasoned, at least six months.

A year is better. The ends of the logs should have turned gray or brown in color.

I hope I've been some help to those of you who are thinking of taking up this often rewarding endeavour. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

And as always, if you have an interesting story of any kind, past or present happening, please call me at 567-9989.

Tom DeFurio is former town supervisor for Sennett