Factors affecting the availability of fuelwood

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · For. Prod. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5626712

Gilbert, A H; Lindsay, J L; Sachs, D L

The purpose of this research was to determine the physical, social and economical constraints associated with the harvest of fuel wood from private, nonindustrial forest lands. The research data were collected using a mail survey of all forest landowners in a representative, forested community in north-central Vermont. Approximately 52 percent of the respondents harvested fuelwood during 1981 to 1983. Seventy-five percent of this fuelwood was harvested by respondents for personal use, or by friends or relatives at no cost. The remaining 25 percent was harvested by owners, loggers, or fuelwood cutters for commercial sale. Current interest in selling fuelwood stumpage was not high. Only 5 percent of the landowners were willing to sell fuelwood stumpage at the current price of $7 per cord. The reasons for harvesting fuelwood were 1) personal use of the fuelwood; 2) enjoyment of the associated physical activity; and 3) clearing land for other uses. The reasons for not harvesting fuelwood were 1) the trees were too small; 2) fear that the aesthetic quality of the property would be diminished; and 3) the woodlot was considered too small for harvesting. The general conclusion to be drawn is that neither increased residential heating costs nor increases in the price paid for fuelwood stumpage will motivate the majority of the study respondents to harvest fuelwood themselves or sell fuelwood stumpage. Incentives apart from income appear necessary to influence the majority of landowners in this study to harvest or sell fuelwood stumpage. One approach that shows great promise is a more effective dissemination of forest management services.

• Research Organization: Univ. Vermont, Burlington VT 05405. Resource Economics program; Univ. Vermont, Burlington VT 05405. Recreation Management Program; Univ. Vermont, Burlington VT 05405. Research Technical School of Natural Resources
• OSTI ID: 5626712
• Journal Information: For. Prod. J.; (United States), Journal Name: For. Prod. J.; (United States) Vol. 37:5; ISSN FPJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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