How to Turn Trees into Firewood in 5 Steps
Published September 3, 2025
If you have property with large, mature trees, those trees may become trouble, either falling down or needing to be taken down. As a result, you often wind up with a large amount of leftover lumber.
Repurposing a downed tree can be rewarding and useful, especially if you’re using logs to fuel your fire pit or heat your home. This guide will help you learn how to turn that tree debris into firewood.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Duration:
Under 2 hours
Table of Contents
Step 1: Assess Trouble Trees and Downed Trees
Step 2: How to Cut Firewood with a Chainsaw
Step 3: How to Chop Firewood with a Log Splitter Rental
Step 4: How to Stack Firewood
Step 5: Finish the Project with a Tree Stump Grinder
Step 1: Assess Trouble Trees and Downed Trees
If you have trouble trees on your property, or a tree is already downed, assess the safety of the area and the distance from where you want to stack your firewood.
If you have trees that are a safety hazard to your home and need to be removed, enlist the help of a professional tree service. It’s rarely a good idea to cut down mature trees on your own.
However, if the trees are already on the ground, determine your need for a wheelbarrow or dump trailer rental to help haul logs to your stacking site.
Before dedicating an entire weekend to breaking down trees into firewood, make sure the trees you’re repurposing are right for the job. Oak, hickory, black locust, white ash and sugar maple are ideal for burning. On the other hand, coniferous trees, hemlock and other softwood trees are not recommended for burning. Coniferous trees, like pine, can create creosote when they burn. Creosote can stick to the inside of chimneys and become a fire hazard.
Step 2: How to Cut Firewood with a Chainsaw
Once the tree is on the ground, use a chainsaw, or a chainsaw rental, to crosscut the tree into logs that will fit into a log splitter. Measure the proper length, marking the tree trunk and large limbs or branches. Use a chainsaw to make the measured cuts.
The Home Depot Rental carries electric chainsaw and gas chainsaw rentals, both equally capable of breaking down trees of every size. An electric chainsaw is great for smaller trees and branches. A gas chainsaw rental is ideal for larger trees.
Step 3: How to Chop Firewood with a Log Splitter Rental
Next, rent a log splitter or buy a quality log splitter to chop lumber into usable, stackable logs. Always review the operations manual prior to using any rental equipment. Load your pre-measured cut logs into the log cradle and make any necessary adjustments. The two-handed controls make operating the log splitter straightforward. Using a log splitter allows you to break down larger logs quickly, ultimately producing more firewood in a short period of time.
If you’re stacking firewood closer to its burning location, load your cut firewood into a wheelbarrow or dump trailer to haul it to your stacking site.
Step 4: How to Stack Firewood
Stacking firewood properly is essential for ease of use, organization and keeping it dry. Consider purchasing a firewood rack to keep wood off the ground and supported. However, a rack or frame isn’t always necessary for stacking. Stack two logs one way and then two logs the other way, and continuing to add wood to fill in the pile.
Circular piles are also popular and involve driving a stake into the ground and stacking wood in the circle around the stake. Never stack the piles so high that they may fall over. Stacks of firewood should always be stable. You’ll also want to cover your wood pile with a tarp to keep it dry.
Step 5: Finish the Project with a Tree Stump Grinder
Downed trees mean leftover stumps. Maximize your curb appeal and minimize obstacles in your lawn by renting a tree stump grinder. A stump grinder removes stumps up to 32” high. You can also rent a chipper shredder to repurpose brush and limbs into homemade mulch.
When trees come down, leverage The Home Depot Tool and Equipment Rental to help turn the debris into firewood or mulch.
