Urban Logging Strategies | How to find wood for your sawmill

A common question I receive is where do I get my logs from. So in this video I share my process for the urban logging that I do from what I look out for, how I find out about them, and how I pick them up.
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Log Tongs: amzn.to/2sVjj1h
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[@ga5743]

Another great video Matt......one question, why do you keep that blanket on the chain?

[@jamespaul3622]

gA m the blanket is used to absorb the energy from the winch cable if it is to snap. it will help it from flying back towards your face.

[@forestreese1704]

the blanket on the cable is so that if the cable snaps, it will be pushed into the ground by the weight of the blanket rather than swinging around at neck height (and potentially messing you up).

[@donchristie420]

I thought it was for a lunchtime snooze!!

[@stevenhardy2898]

There is a better way ...a method I have seen used by Rangers that have to recover vehicles from parkland on occasion. Find an old ,stiff piece of nylon anchor line about 20-30 feet. Put a quick hook on one end for the lifting bar. loop it around the cable 7-8 times,then connect the other end to a point near the winch in such a fashion that it wont get pulled into the winch,preferrably on the opposite side of where your working.

[@forestreese1704]

Steven Hardy so what is that method called? I can't quite visualize it.

[@johnszpak1512]

That was a lot of info and story packed into a great video. I was just expecting it to end after the Craigslist info. It was a great bonus to then see you actually go get the log. Really enjoyed it.

[@mcremona]

Thanks John!

[@MichaelMantion]

When you search on craigslist you can put a | to separate terms. So you could put in Tree | Lumber | Log and it will pull up any add with either tree, lumber or log in it. That might help you save time instead of running 3 separate searches with a lot of repeats Also a lot of craigslist apps will give you notifications. You would be surprised how many great deals disappear with in an hour.

[@emeltea33]

Also preceding terms you don't want with a - (minus sign), may help to weed out some of those items which litter your search, i.e.: tree | firewood, -christmas... Great video!

[@grntitan1]

I've seen other vids of your loading big logs. That said, I am still impressed how you patiently and strategically load those massive logs. My late father was a wood worker. Back in the late 70's and early 80's things made from old barn wood was starting to be the "in" thing. I don't know how many barns I helped my dad tear down for people and all we charged was the lumber. We tore it all down and we got to keep all the lumber. You could see the twinkle in my dads eyes as he would be assessing the barn we were getting ready to tackle. I knew he was running through his head what he was gonna make with his new score. In many cases we got to keep everything inside as well. As a kid it was like a treasure hunt. Man I miss my dad. I see a bit of that in your eyes as you were loading those logs. Keep the passion brother........

[@motor2of7]

Hats off for considering it fun to talk with the neighbor. Too many folks would consider that a negative thing.

[@Mike-pr8hx]

Your passion for woodworking is infectious. Matt always has a great attitude.

[@mcremona]

Thank you Mike!

[@jeremyspecce]

As much as I loved the winching and everything, your summary at the end about sharing your passion and saving these logs from a worse fate is the best part.

[@orelygarcia]

You have become a master at loading that trailer. Thumbs up Matt.

[@jamespaul3622]

I love the setup you have for getting these logs yourself.

[@mcremona]

+James Paul thanks!

[@rick91443]

My wife began watching me, watching woodworking videos(I'm 64,) some time ago...and buying woodworking tools and machines...When she saw your videos envolving your timber saw and the ability to harvest your own lumber, she just looked at me, shaking her head, and saying(in French,) over my dead body...You scare the heck out of her Matt, lol(god I'd love my own timber saw.....) cheers...rr

[@mcremona]

hahaha!!!!

[@christobar]

Matt Cremona you truly are a master of all that is good and just in the world.

[@mcremona]

thank you :)

[@juancortez4726]

brother, I binge on your videos mainly daydreaming one day I could do what you do... not likely... but dreaming about it is way more fun! thank you for all your information... you are always generous with info tips and tricks... this video in particular is interesting to me because with all the day dreaming I'm seriously considering starting a firewood business... will let you know how that goes... in the mean time, thank you for your videos and God bless!

[@KevinJohnson-hi1xf]

I gave this a go about a year ago. Saw this company cutting down a tree on their property went up and asked them if I could get any. They told me a number of people had come by and asked for some for firewood. Once I told him that I do woodworking he responded that he did it as well and gave me a bunch of box elder logs. Fortunately not too big that I was able to pick them up with some muscle and help from a friend

[@michaelgross8461]

Matt, this has been something I've been looking in to doing recently. So far Ive recovered a few good trees for lumber. My biggest problem has been finding a reliable mill to process my trees. I think I've just fixed that problem. So far most trees have been free. I've only paid for one which was a black walnut. Most have been Oak, Norwegian Maple and a Catalpa. Next step will be setting up a trailer for picking up and hauling the logs. I really like your design!

[@JackmanWorks]

Man that was impressive to watch you work your magic

[@tny-]

got a favorable spin on the first lift on that log. fun watching you work on rigging like that, cool how you can move a huge log alone with a little bit of ingenuity and the right tools.

[@mcremona]

Thank you Anthony!

[@danjackson1685]

LOL! I saw that ad the other day and thought "I wonder if Matt saw this." I guess you did. Love the videos keep them coming. (Dan Excelsior)

[@mcremona]

haha! That's funny :D

[@timroberts191]

I really like the information and the process of how you are saving trees and all your videos

[@mcremona]

+Tim Roberts love hearing that. Thanks Tim!

[@dbs1183]

Wow, I really enjoyed that one Matt. I know I say that every time. but am quite impressed that you tackle logs that large.

[@mcremona]

Thank you David!!

[@continental_drift]

That trailer that you built really is something else.

[@johnbouttell5827]

Fascinating. I loved the way you took off a slice of the tree with your chainsaw so that it could slide onto the truck. You made it look so easy.

[@GrumpysWorkshop]

Now's the time to be lookin, especially in MN after the big storm. I'm kinda full up on turning blanks atm, but I still broke out the chainsaw yesterday and helped a few neighbors clear some debris. There's a few big ones on the ground, so get to work!

[@samcarroll4398]

Awesome Video! It's great to see real strategies and information on how to do this, especially as a moderately sized individual (work smarter not harder! Glad to see someone actually willing to teach and not just hide their secrets to defend their business

[@mcremona]

I'm happy to share if it means fewer of these trees go to the landfill. Thanks Sam!

[@wauhawk]

I got one off Craigslist delivered free to my driveway! I took the whole thing brush and all. Fad my wood chipper then bucked the small stuff for the fire pit. Working on a small chainsaw mill to slab the logs but also some big like 3ft diameter stumps for end grain slabs. I think the cookies will be a money maker on this deal!

[@Legal-gv4gg]

Matthew, thanks for your enthusiastic promotion and find DIY video of salvaging urban trees, etc. I always thought of most disposal as such an UN-green waste. Time, fuel and energy bringing in lumber from faraway places while the municipality and tree services are chipping up local wood !!!

[@mcremona]

exactly!

[@salmonhunter7414]

That Arch still works slick. Almost makes it look easy. Thanks for your vids

[@mikes1345]

great video! enjoy learning about milling and how you scavenge and turn it into something useful and beautiful. salute!

[@mcremona]

+mike stockard thanks Mike!

[@locohombre79]

That was so cool, the bit about meeting people and sharing your passion really chimed. Oh, and maybe fill a squeezy bottle with Anchorseal and squeeze it onto the wood as you brush?

[@motzemog]

Such an excellent video with tons of great information. Ash trees are going down left and right here in KC I just need a log arch and beefy trailer now.

[@frankingram3382]

I enjoyed that video Matt as well as the milling videos also. God Bless my friend.

[@mcremona]

+Frank Ingram thank you Frank!

[@jlynn473]

Great video! I am a fan of CL for wood. You can set up alerts so you are notified as soon as something in your saved search is posted - nice feature. I do know wood goes quickly though around here - I'm in WNY.

[@mcremona]

It doesn't go too quickly here especially the big stuff since so few people have any way of handling it. Thanks :)

[@thomasarussellsr]

Girl with a Wood Fetish , love your handle/name.

[@nordyfamily]

Great work, thanks for taking the time to share.

[@robertocabrera3365]

Great job Matt

[@michaelandersen5453]

WOW this was a very cool vid. I like the fact you went from start to finish on how you got this log. very informative video. I will never do anything like this or even use a large plank to build anything but This is something that gets my interest so I follow along on all your videos .And you do a great job with it. thank you.

[@danthemakerman]

Love the neighbor's comment, "Looks like you know what you are doing." You should have told him it was your first time.

[@mcremona]

hahahaha I totally should have

[@thomream1888]

Or played the "Saw" trick on him. Use the chain saw like a regular saw, back and forth, back and forth. Wait for him to come over, grab the saw and start it... pretend you've never seen that before. I watched my grandfather do that once, 45-50 years ago. I STILL almost pee my britches laughing about it!!! What a man!

[@MoondyneJoe]

You are amazing Matt and so is that trailer of yours

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@SoundsFantastic]

More videos like this! The finding is just as good as the outcome.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Really glad you did this one, was interesting and a lot of fun! -Caleb Harris

[@Gotafish1]

Matt, Its very enjoyable watching your videos.

[@mcremona]

thank you!!

[@nicksvaik]

This is awesome! Great setup with the trailer 👍 What a beast of a log! The whole truck bed was shaking when it was getting pulled up!

[@wolfgangederer]

Seeing all these big trees on craigslist is making me jealous. I can't even find smaller ones for free here in Germany. Great video!

[@kenjett2434]

your log trailer and loading arch is genius in my past logging experience I have cut down some trees in very risky situations but if you know what your doing and have proper skill set it isn't all that bad.

[@jamesscrivner4726]

I just watched ur build on sawmill. Just to watch you pick up a silver maple log that is destined to awsome ideas. I was wanting to use silver maple in the truck bed of a truck . 68 Chevy sb. Was my buddy's project but now it's mine. Your sawmill build kept me riveted. Can you sell me flooring for my stepside? Shipping to so central oh prob eat me up. Lol. Good job on saw. A thing of beauty.

[@mikearmstrong7830]

Gr8 video. You're getting to where you can out think a stump every time.

[@mcremona]

just a bit of practice :)

[@bobleeswoodshop7919]

Very cool!!!😎😎😎😎 very cool 😎😎😎 Thanks Matt it is good to see what you are doing!! I do a little when I can and it is fun!!! Keep having fun my brother ,!!!!

[@MikeKapotsy]

Matt Cremona, you are a BEAST!

[@yummboy2]

Just a thought, Matt; have you considered adding a log arch to your monster mill? It seems a simply way to handle/manipulate the huge logs on the mill bed. May not be necessary, you seem to always come up with a way to do everything!

[@rayleder3705]

Matt, this was a great video!

[@mcremona]

+Mark Blomster awesome! Thanks Mark!

[@whiteoakroadfarms]

Great Job there Matt. On your winch battery - Do you remove it for charging purposes? I have an electric over hydraulic dump trailer that draws a lot of current to run multiple times a day and the little factory 12ga wire would not keep it charged well. My solution was to run welding leads back from the truck battery negative pole and alternator positive lug along the truck frame and came up back into the bed wall behind the fender - same exit location where a 5th wheel camper plug would be mounted. At the end of the leads I installed a snow plow style plug so I have excellent amperage all the way back there. On the trailer side I ran the same welding leads from the trailer battery to another snow plow plug that is the same overall length as the 7 way plug for the lights and brakes. Now when I plug the trailer into the truck the alternator will keep the trailer battery charged and the truck has extra amps for starting, a plus where you live for sure about January. Turns out that it was so convenient that I put the same set up on all of my equipment so I can easily jump start anything with anything else, without having to mess with jumper cables, just hook the plug ends together - and the bonus is they are designed so they only go together one way - no chance of a big spark, fried computer, etc.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Jim! Right now I take it off for storage and charging which works pretty well since I don't use it very frequently.

[@wandawTube]

Nice job. Thank you for sharing.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Hey Matt, thanks for a great video. It's stuff like this that makes KZbin so interesting. PS, I love trailers, especially when they have unique features like yours.

[@Robb403]

Excellent video. Some other ways to find those big logs are to post on Freecycle type message boards and community free classifieds explaining what you are looking for and people will get back to you because those big logs are really difficult to get rid of and not many people are equipped to even cut them into firewood. Also look for farmers clearing fence rows because they often just burn the wood and the big logs take forever to get rid of.

[@matt_williams1015]

Cool video, Matt! I pass by a log sitting in a front yard near where I work, and every time I wish I had a trailer so I could take it. But I have no trailer or sawmill or place to put it, but someday!

[@DavidBishopinc]

Very cool video Matt old friend. Awesome.

[@courtneybrown4622]

Matthew, I enjoy watching your videos. I noticed in more than one, you loading large logs that your trailer appears to "squat " when pulling or lifting a log. You might want to attach two Tongue Jacks one at each corner. This would protect your springs, axles, and tires.

[@IansWork]

Nice one. Thanks for sharing

[@hffcom]

That looks like fun.... great video matt

[@onewhitestone]

I get that all the time, people will say they have a black walnut tree that's worth 1k, I look at it and tell them the truth. Since loggers don't normally cut yard trees, because of junk in the tree, then they are not going to bring a log truck to pick up one log. A logger only want the best part of the log which is the trunk without branches. So this is where you clean up and get the good stuff brother. Keep up the good work. I like your videos and woodcraft.

[@badboy-bn2xx]

Loggers don't want yard trees for a bigger reason then junk in the tree.they don't want them because there not as strong as trees in the timber. The tree grows to fast in a open yard then in a timber

[@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP]

Hey my brother Matt I'm (The Craigslist Hunter) well that's what shogun Jimi named me lol,But I can't get no wood yet I don't have a truck right now but it's an awesome idea and free to my brother it's all good and thank you for all your tips much love bro and God Bless :)

[@txhogdoggn]

Matt, you are providing some exceptional info in your videos. I have a few questions though. 1. i have a live oak log that is 38"X32" at the butt end and 36"X51" at the crotch end. since nobody in my area (central texas, near waco) has a mil big enough for the crotch end, but i want to mill it and i have an alaskan mill with a Stihl MS661 and i can buy the rails to extend my cut width to 56" and buy a 56" bar and chain, which just those few items will cost me upwards of around $450-500, and i will need an aux oiler, which i can build out of an old bar oil jug, or even use a camel back bladder for a gravity feed oiler. Or i could, after asking a couple lumber mills which use to old round saw blade style mills if they would mill it for me, cost ink though, probably less than the cost of the extras i'd have to buy, for more than likely a 1 time use. Which route would go, buy the extensions, bar and chain, or drive 2hrs 1 way, drop the log off and hope they don't mess it up and possibly cost a little less, hopefully not more than the cost of the alaskan route? 2. what do you use to flatten/plain out your milled boards, being that from the videos iv watched, its some huge timber? if you could, which i sure you have a lot on your plate, and get many comments and questions al the time, but if you have time, could you email me your replies to [e-mail]?

[@michaelthornburg5060]

Cool video Matt and great tips!

[@ericastier1646]

Here is what happens when a guy who has the intellect to have been an engineer instead follows his passion and quickly dominates his field and is already beyond what gets people awed. I am always amazed how effectively and effortlessly he solves real problems, nothing's too difficult for him.

[@SilverBack.]

Hi Matt Great Video you have that loading system down pat. keep them coming Doug.

[@HeavyboxesDIYMaster]

That was great to watch! I love learning about this kind of stuff.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@Outlierranch]

Great video. I am really thinking about building a lift like yours for my trailer for taking advantage of these opportunistic finds.

[@Uncle_Buzz]

Holy Cremona. That's a big log. Cheers! Chris.

[@mcremona]

Haha yeah this was a good sized one :)

[@zeroquanta6130]

You put it to the Max test and it worked Great!!! Fist up, Fight for Truth.

[@mcremona]

+Zero Quanta ✊️

[@joshwiley881]

I found a huge felled pecan tree that I should be getting mild up in about a month. I'm pretty excited.

[@doubledarefan]

Video it and put it on the Tube when you do, please!

[@tobysauer225]

Excellent Video. Thank you.

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@TheRedhawke]

Great video Matt. Within the last 3 months I have seen 2 Ash trees in one yard that were in excess of 46" at the base and at least 35' to first limb and straight as an arrow. My wife and I saw a Cypress that was about 60" across cut up and left by the state by a bridge, it was so big they had to cut it up in chunks. I don't have a mill, trailer, or saw that will do anything with wood that size. I was sickened insided knowing they were going to burn or chip them all up. I thought of the beautiful lumber you milled from the Ash log and what you could do if you had these logs.

[@mcremona]

oh man. That just makes me sad as well. A lot of lumber in those logs

[@TheRedhawke]

Yes there was and all I could see was the table tops that huge Cypress could of made.

[@jbb5470]

Great video! Really enjoyed watching / hearing the story here! Thanks for sharing.

[@BushImports]

I like your log lift it looks very helpful, sort of like gen poles only maybe better for what you're using it for.

[@mcremona]

+L. J. Bush thanks!

[@Thom4123]

Awesome video I'm always learning something new.

[@louiscypher7090]

great video. thanks.

[@keiserfam]

I have a entry level mill , LT 10 Wood Mizer so the logs are not as large as the ones that you get , I watch your build of your mill fantastic, I normally get the wood I mill from the burn sites, or people let me know of some , I'm in the tornado belt it helps with getting trees Halstead Kansas

[@stevecollins9450]

Entertaining and informative video, Matt.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Great video! Super interesting, well thought out and nice editing! You get better with every vid!

[@eduardom800]

Circular Economy, the waste for some is the raw material for others. Great job!!

[@metals2546]

Very informative video, and somewhat sobering in the amount the money in tools and machinery needed to bring these logs home.

[@thomashawkins2395]

Another great video Matt have you ever lifted a log that’s picked the back of the truck off the floor yet.

[@mcremona]

Only if I forget to put the rear supports down

[@brianjoyce9040]

It’s all about the tools and technique

[@jakedevillier5863]

Great video!

[@WoodUCreate]

I think a set of rollers in the trailer bed could be helpful. What do you think? Never liked silver maple much, kind of a dirty tree, I look forward though to seeing what it looks like milled up. Thanks

[@PatrickWagz]

Excellent video, Matt. Are we going to get to see the milling of it?

[@JB-gg9hl]

Great video

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@ahikernamedgq]

Thanks Matt! I've found some great free/inexpensive Silver Maple on Craiglist. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You really do know how to use that winch on your trailer!

[@suzylarry1]

that is a large one ! your rig works well. Any thought of garage door style springs for the dead zone of crane arch or neutral zone as apposed to having to "Armstrong" forward or outward ? I was nervous for you when you were between crane arch and log, just in case something moved, it would be you(your head) that gets it.

[@mikearmstrong7830]

I was worried, foolishly, for a while. Ya done good dude.

[@donnymcarter]

Nice score buddy! Always wood around!

[@mcremona]

+Donny Carter thanks Donny!

[@robertmorris2573]

Hi Matt. Question: Are you ever going to be able to use all that lumber you have cut or do you sell some of it so it don't go to waste. Don't know, I'm not a wood worker but I enjoy watching your videos and a few other wood workers videos also. Thank you.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nice score Matt!

[@mcremona]

+Fred McIntyre thanks Fred!

[@dannyboy9784]

Nice video

[@louis-philippelavoie6929]

A Cremona is a specie commonly found around big trees and big logs.

[@runsolo7418]

Have you considered mounting a block on the arch and run the winch cable back to the winch/front of the trailer to double your pulling power?

[@MidGAOutdoor]

Have you thought of carrying 3 or so 4 inch fence posts for the log to roll on when doing the final pull onto the trailer without the arch?

[@publicprofile1]

Great video as always. A miller here in Charlotte tries to avoid urban trees because of all the nails. Whats your nail strategy to keep your blades sharp?

[@StihlChainsaws]

Such a cool channel! Glad I found it, & I'm definitely doing this trailer mod! STAY SAFE

[@drdraws9597]

Love that free wood. Used to cut logs for a living. Fun, but hard on the body,lol.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Great video & nice story. Thanks! ~ James

[@mcremona]

thanks James!

[@timschultzcustom7968]

great video matt! thanks

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@joegregory5515]

Hey Matt, thanks for sharing your "Hunt" for logs... enjoy your woodworking experiences. What do you do with all of the saw dust? I read where you can recycle into pellets for heating, gets pretty cold in Minn.