Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (Full Version)

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YourhandMyAss -> Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/3/2008 11:52:48 PM)

If you went down to the creeks and wild abandoned feilds you're likely to find out in the middle of no where in Rual area's and chopped up fallen tree's and took the wood home would that be illegal?


Around here there's  like 10 or 20 tree's that fall in abandoned feilds and around dry creek which is by the road, and with so many people wanting firewood, if it wasn't illegal I think it'd be cool to take the chain saw an go cut it up.

Kids are always playing and swimming in the creeks around here too ,  even though you wouldn't catch me in one ever since they're probably contaminated.

So I don't think they're private property, and anyway how the hell does a creek that goes through 3 or 4 counties  and is on the side of the road be private property?



housesub4you -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 3:22:43 AM)

You could go to the county building do a little research.  You could check the building dept or planing dept even the tax dept could tell you who owns the land.

There are water rights and if it is private property you are breaking the law.

I own vacant land and if people ask, I let them take fallen timber or hunt on my property 



littlewonder -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 3:47:29 AM)

I'd be thrilled if I could get people to come to my property and cut down the old trees in my yard!

But alas no one wants to bother and I end up having to pay thousands of bucks to have them removed. Yay.

Most property probably is private property. Around here land might look like it's just unclaimed forest but in reality it's owned by either the agriculture dept, conservation society or some company who simply hasn't used it yet for anything.



YourhandMyAss -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 3:49:30 AM)

Go to freecycle.org, find out if there's a group in your town or city, Then go sign up and offer tons of fire wood, describe that they must come cut it and haul it away, it's not cut nor ready to haul, then sit back and wait to see if you get any takers.


quote:

ORIGINAL: littlewonder

I'd be thrilled if I could get people to come to my property and cut down the old trees in my yard!

But alas no one wants to bother and I end up having to pay thousands of bucks to have them removed. Yay.

Most property probably is private property. Around here land might look like it's just unclaimed forest but in reality it's owned by either the agriculture dept, conservation society or some company who simply hasn't used it yet for anything.



DesFIP -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 3:52:24 AM)

The creek and the wood are on different pieces of private property. Instead of stealing the wood, go knock on the door and ask them if you can have the two trees fallen over down by the road. However, I will warn you that by the time the trees fall down they aren't that good for firewood. They're probably full of dry rot and that lessens the BTUs available.

Myself I find a healthy red oak produces the best firewood, long lasting and heat producing. Softwoods, conifers, are never to be used in a fireplace or wood stove/furnace because the creosote is so high you risk a chimney fire. Things like birch, aspens etc burn up in minutes barely getting the house warm.



YourhandMyAss -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 3:58:38 AM)

Um there's no doors to go knock on. There are not any houses for miles and miles around in the case of some fields, and then in case of the streams, they're not by houses. Maybe next time I am out and about I'll take pictures and show ya all:)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

The creek and the wood are on different pieces of private property. Instead of stealing the wood, go knock on the door and ask them if you can have the two trees fallen over down by the road. However, I will warn you that by the time the trees fall down they aren't that good for firewood. They're probably full of dry rot and that lessens the BTUs available.

Myself I find a healthy red oak produces the best firewood, long lasting and heat producing. Softwoods, conifers, are never to be used in a fireplace or wood stove/furnace because the creosote is so high you risk a chimney fire. Things like birch, aspens etc burn up in minutes barely getting the house warm.



Dnomyar -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 3:59:04 AM)

You can cut down fallen trees here. Except for the trees that have ash borer. They do not want you to use that for firewood.



YourhandMyAss -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 4:01:01 AM)

However f there was say tons of tree pieces in front of someones house, then I'd goknock and explain myself and ask to take it.


quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

The creek and the wood are on different pieces of private property. Instead of stealing the wood, go knock on the door and ask them if you can have the two trees fallen over down by the road.



housesub4you -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 4:01:48 AM)

littlewonder;

When I needed trees removed from my property, I placed a free firewood ad on craigslist and had several people respond.  Then after talking to them I had over 70 trees fallen and removed for free. 

You can also call your local foresty agent and see if there is enough timber to auction off and make money to have it removed.

I did not do this because I did not have the time, but now I have 5 acres being auctioned for selective cutting. 



sirsholly -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 4:49:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss

Go to freecycle.org, find out if there's a group in your town or city, Then go sign up and offer tons of fire wood, describe that they must come cut it and haul it away, it's not cut nor ready to haul, then sit back and wait to see if you get any takers.


quote:

ORIGINAL: littlewonder

I'd be thrilled if I could get people to come to my property and cut down the old trees in my yard!

But alas no one wants to bother and I end up having to pay thousands of bucks to have them removed. Yay.

Most property probably is private property. Around here land might look like it's just unclaimed forest but in reality it's owned by either the agriculture dept, conservation society or some company who simply hasn't used it yet for anything.



please be careful with this. If someone gets hurt on your property you might get your buns sued off.....



LumusandtheLady -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 4:50:17 AM)

One thing to be careful of is what land are the trees on. If it is governmental property such as county, state or federal land, you can get in serious trouble for theft or destruction of property. You would need a permit to remove any wood, downed or not. If private property, you still need the permission of the property owner. Unfortunately, just because no one is around doesn't release a person from getting that permission. It's still considered theft without it.

Good luck

Rain



MarsBonfire -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 5:28:52 AM)

Luckily, here in my home state, the authorities are quite clear: you can take anything off of public land, provided it has no market value. This means that if you come across a felled tree on public land, you can take it. The policy makes it easier to keep the local woods clear of fire hazard buildup. You can even haul away rocks broken loose from earth moving projects... which I've done quite a bit of, since I'm building a new stone wall on one side of my barn.



Mercnbeth -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 6:07:35 AM)

quote:

So I don't think they're private property, and anyway how the hell does a creek that goes through 3 or 4 counties  and is on the side of the road be private property?


lots of folks own property, that includes creekbeds, along the side of the road.  this slave used to live in one of those areas, and you'd be wise to do your research with the county that you live in regarding what is or is not private property as well as what rules are in place for harvesting fallen timber from public lands.
 
sometimes, creekbeds are protected, because of the habitat for wildlife(or potential habitat, if the creekbed is dry at certain times of the year) and folks aren't allowed to dam it, change the direction of it, or use anything but hand tools to clear brush or timber, even if it flows through their private property.
 
be careful.  lots of rural folks have loaded guns to protect themselves from people who would steal off their land.  you might not be able to see their cabin from where you are looking, but they can certainly see you through their rifle scope.



HunterS -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 7:06:28 AM)

FR...to no one inparticular
Cityfolk who live in tract shacks seem to think that anyplace that does not have curb,gutter and sidewalk is the middle of nowhere and does not belong to anyone....Wtf are you sniffing glue or are you just plane stupid?
If it does not belong to you keep your fucking hands off...
If I were to come to your home while you were gone and take all of your possessions because "I did not see anyone there and all of this stuff was just abandoned"...see where I am going here?
I live in a remote area and more than a few times I have encountered "cityfux" loading their pick up truck or SUV with my stuff.  When confronted they always say..."gee I thought this was just abandoned".   I call the sheriff and have them arrested and their vevhicle impounded.
 
H.



LaTigresse -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 7:14:35 AM)

Beth and Hunter have said it well.

Living where I do, rural Iowa, there is alot of area like you described. I guarantee someone owns that land and someone just might not like you A. tresspassing or B. stealing wood. IF you don't get shot at, you will still be seen. Someone will tell someone else and next thing you know you've potentially got a sheriff knocking on your door serving you a warrant.

Wood, regardless of what it is, can be seen by some as a valuable commodity. Yes I know it is probably shit and worthless and wouldn't even burn well. BUT, when a farmer gets his boxers in a wad because you tresspassed and took some of it without asking, it can become very valuable. A court system will very likely side with the property owner and asign a dollar amount to the wood, maybe even come up with some damage caused to the field ( I've seen crazier shit) and bamn, you are hit with a theft charge, the degree depending upon dollar value of wood taken, and criminal tresspass.

Go to the county and find out who owns what. Then contact the owners. If it is public property, contact the sheriff's office or DNA to see if it is possible. Never assume.



Aynne88 -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 7:18:16 AM)

Exactly LaT. I live in Maine and lots of areas around here look like "the middle of nowhere" but it isn't. It is posted, private property and more likely owned by someone that does not want people hunting, trespassing and illegally taking things of their land.  If I saw some yahoo on my property? Hellll no. Not good. Best to ask first.



LaTigresse -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 7:23:04 AM)

Exactly, the bottom end of my horse pasture does not look like it belongs to me, or the neighbour.......but it does. And if I found someone messing around in there, god help them.



UncleNasty -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 8:15:12 AM)

Cutting firewood is extremely laborious. Felling trees, trimming branches, cutting the boles, hauling the fuel and trash around, storing to dry, splitting, storing again, etc.

It is also expensive. A good 20-24" chain saw at $500 (at a minimum for felling tree of any significant size), suitable clothing, gloves and boots, safety gear, chains and sharpening equipment, a vehicle to move the several ton pieces of wood around, logging chains, peavies, a vehicle to transport wood from the forest to the wood shed, storage space for first years seasoning, covered storage space for second years seasoning, splitting equipment - be it by hand or with a hydraulic splitter (those start at about $1500), etc.

All of this also brings hazard and risk with it.

It makes me sad to see beautiful trees cut down for construction projects, bull dozed into piles and simply burned. I see this frequently. On the other hand it is cheaper to buy it cut, split, seasoned, delivered and stacked than it would be to ply tools, time and expense to the potential fuel on those sites.

There aren't many that are truely willing and able to manage all of the above. If I didn't actually like, perhaps even love, most of the processes involved, I'd have converted to propane or electric long ago. And I'm fortunate to be able to do it at my own pace. Firewood is something I deal with year round and in almost every week I spend several hours working it in some way.

One handed Uncle Nasty (who currently is splitting no wood)





jlf1961 -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 8:28:47 AM)

Luckily, I have plenty of mesquite trees on the property, a chainsaw, grand children to do the splitting, and I can put a notice up on the freecycle board and have more than enough people wanting the firewood.

Actually, many of the people around me will let you cut as much wood as you want, provided you sign a liability waiver, and pay anywhere from 5 to 25 bucks, which is cheap considering that you could conceivably end up with a few cords of wood.



justme27 -> RE: Would chopping up fallen tree's out by creeks in middle of no where be illegal? (12/4/2008 8:33:42 AM)

when i lived in Md. i was told by a forest ranger it was illegal to cut up "dead fall "trees in state forests , made a campfire a bit hard ,



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