Since the beginning of December, the foresters in the district, together with the towns and municipalities, have offered over 30 auctions. Hundreds of firewood customers have been able to stock up on regionally produced firewood for the coming winters. After last year's unusually high demand for firewood, it is not surprising that slightly less firewood was sold this year. "Many people's wood stores are still full," explains Raphael Müller, wood salesman in the district office's forestry department. "Nevertheless, we are satisfied with the auctions so far and are pleased that the supply situation in the energy sector has eased."
For wood to burn cleanly, it must be stored properly and long enough
With wood as a fuel, local forests offer a regional and ecological alternative to heating oil and other fossil fuels. In the forests in the Ludwigsburg district, firewood is produced sustainably and in accordance with very high forestry standards. One advantage of burning wood is that only as muchCO2 is released as was previously bound by its growth.
However, to ensure that the wood burns cleanly, the firewood must be stored properly and for long enough. The following basic principles must be observed: Softwood should dry for at least one year, hardwood for two years. The smaller the wood is split and sawn before storage, the better. It is therefore best to process the firewood straight away into pieces ready for the stove and then store them in an airy but covered place.
When processing the wood, the Forestry Division appeals to all customers to observe the regulations on personal protective equipment. This consists of a helmet with ear and face protection, cut protection trousers and gloves. A chainsaw course is also a prerequisite for using a chainsaw. The regulations for firewood processing can also be found on the website of the Forestry Department.
