The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting bids from homeowners to cut firewood on state forests in Chenango and Madison counties. Due to the increased demand for firewood, sales will only be offered through a sealed bid auction and not by lottery. There is no need to sign up in advance to participate in the bidding process.

All firewood for sale is standing, live trees located off-road and will require a chainsaw, tractor and cart, or a 4-wheel drive truck for cutting, access and hauling. The trees available for cutting are marked by DEC foresters. This is done to ensure that the only wood removed is done for conservation and habitat reasons. Removal of marked trees improves forest health and the growing stock of understory trees and vegetation.

Firewood will be available in volumes of three, five and 10 standard cords with a minimum bid of $20 per cord. A standard cord is a pile of wood measuring 4’x4’x8’ when cut and stacked.

Bid applications are available for firewood in state forests in the following towns: Afton, Brookfield, DeRuyter, Georgetown, German, Greene, Guilford, Lincklaen, McDonough, Nelson, New Berlin, North Norwich, Otselic, Oxford, Pharsalia, Pitcher and Plymouth.

Information about firewood sales including bid sheets, volumes and terms is available on DEC’s website at dec.ny.gov/lands/82005.html or from DEC’s Sherburne office (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at 607-674-4017. Bids are due in the Sherburne office by 2 p.m. on May 25. Maps depicting the location of each lot are also available online athttp://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/82005.html.  Individuals may bid on multiple firewood lots but will only be awarded a single lot as determined by DEC.

Firewood lots will be awarded to the highest bidder. After a homeowner is notified they are the highest bidder, they need to execute a contract with the state and make payment by June 8 or the lot is offered to the next highest bidder. Cutting and removal of firewood may begin as soon as a contract is executed, typically the end of May, and must be completed by Sept. 19.

Firewood is a local renewable energy source for home heating that provides an alternative to fossil fuels. Participation in the program helps improve forest growing conditions and reduces consumption of non-renewable energy supplies such as oil and natural gas.

In an effort to prevent the spread of invasive insect species, such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Long-horned Beetle, state regulations prohibit moving firewood that has not been heat treated more than 50 miles. Persons completing bid sheets under this program may transport cut trees no more than 50 miles from where the wood is felled. They also must complete a “Self-Issued Certificate for Transport” form and carry it with them when transporting the wood.

For more information on firewood movement restrictions visit DEC’s website: dec.ny.gov/animals/44008.html or call 1-866-640-0652 or e-mail [email protected].

Any person operating a chainsaw for any purpose while cutting firewood is required to wear Personal Protective Equipment including at least the following: hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection and cut-resistant chaps or pants. Chainsaws must be equipped with properly functioning safety devices including a chain brake. One should not apply if you do not have access to this equipment. Other firewood sales rules are available when one applies for a bid sheet as well as on DEC’s website dec.ny.gov/lands/82005.html.