Firewood collection encouraged
Waikato councils are encouraging residents to collect windfall firewood brought down by Cyclone Gabrielle’s heavy winds.
In a Facebook message to residents, the Waipā District Council has told residents that once fallen trees have been rendered safe by arborists, sections of fallen trees will be left as firewood for people to collect.
‘‘As soon as it’s safe, we’ll leave firewood in piles, available for people to take away at no cost.’’
The offer of free firewood comes with a warning, however: leave your chainsaws at home, and wait for the experts to cut up the wood. The impact of the cyclone is such that many of the fallen trees are under tension and could injure people if cut incorrectly.
‘‘The storm has caused lots of ‘tension’ in the trees. If not cut correctly, pieces could spring back and really hurt someone!’’ the message reads.
A row of almost a dozen trees on Lamb St in the Cambridge suburb of Leamington were felled by the ferocity of last Monday night’s winds.
Hamilton City Council parks and recreation unit director Maria Barrie has also said residents in the city are welcome to help themselves to wood from fallen trees left on the roadside.
‘‘During our cleanup, you might notice a pile of wood cut into small pieces on the side of the road. Residents are welcome to take it for firewood provided it is safe to do so,’’ she said.
Matt Singleton, the owner of Hamilton firewood supplier Wood Works, says those collecting windfall wood shouldn’t expect to be able to use it this winter.
’’If they’re splitting it now, it will be no good for this year,’’ Singleton says. ‘‘It really wants a whole summer outside to dry.’’
Once it has been collected, he says the firewood should be stored outside and allowed to be exposed to the elements to help with seasoning process.
Elsewhere in Waikato, trees have come down onto public reserves and parks.
The Hamilton City Council has released images of fallen trees along the river path, in the Hamilton Lake domain, Albert St in Hamilton East and at the city’s Taitua arboretum. Anecdotal reports indicate many more trees coming down onto private property across the city in recent days.
On Bryce St in central Hamilton, a large robinia tree rested precariously against a two-storey office building. Last Wednesday afternoon, arborists could be seen removing the tree with the help of a crane.
‘‘During our cleanup, you might notice a pile of wood cut into small pieces on the side of the road. Residents are welcome to take it for firewood provided it is safe to do so. ’’ Maria Barrie Hamilton City Council parks and recreation unit director