It is possible to personally harvest firewood from the state forest 12.01

In addition to buying forest material it is also possible to harvest firewood from the state forest by either personally harvesting it by performing sanitary cutting or by harvesting cutting waste left over from clear cutting. Considering the price fluctuations on the timber market, starting tomorrow RMK will lower the price of firewood for private persons; compared to last year the price of firewood has dropped by about 15 per‑cent.

"As a result of the latest offers by RMK the price of firewood has dropped, which has enabled us to lower the price of firewood sold to private persons", explained Ulvar Kaubi, Marketing Manager for Forest Management of RMK, adding that now is a good time to harvest firewood for the next heating season.

RMK sells firewood as 3 metre logs and also arranges the transport to the client. Starting tomorrow 10 cubic metres of firewood from deciduous trees will cost EUR 44.19 per cubic metre including transport; a full load (i.e. 24 cubic metres) of timber dropped to EUR 34.31 per cubic metre. A half load of firewood from conifer trees will cost EUR 48.99 and a full load will cost EUR 39.11 per cubic metre.

According to Tiit Timberg, Member of the Management Board of RMK, private persons also have other possibilities to stock up on firewood. "If people want and if they have the skills needed to cut wood, then it is a good idea to inquire at the local forest district about the possibility of collecting cutting waste or stumps from cutting areas" explained Timberg. Collecting cutting waste from the state forest will cost EUR 6.5 plus value added tax per cubic metre and collecting tree stumps will cost EUR 8 plus value added tax per cubic metre.

Another possibility to harvest firewood from the state forest is to buy sanitary cutting rights. "Since the price of harvesting timber has increased, this also presents a possibility for saving by buying sanitary cutting rights and personally cutting timber", added Tiit Timberg. Depending on the type of wood, the price per cubic metre of firewood harvested by buying cutting rights will cost EUR 9.80 plus value added tax.

The conditions for buying firewood from RMK have been published at www.rmk.ee/teemad/puidu-muuk/kuttepuit. Questions relating to sanitary cutting rights or collecting cutting waste are dealt with by the forest district. The necessary contact information can be found at: www.rmk.ee/meist/kontakt/metsahaldus/metskonnad

The sale of firewood makes up about 11% of RMK’s sale of forest material. In 2011 RMK sold 2.7 million cubic metres of roundwood to the timber industry and consumers. RMK sold 0.3 million cubic metres of wood chips and cutting waste to produce 720 000 MWh of power, which is the estimated yearly energy consumption of 28 000 average households.

RMK is a profit-making state agency established under the Forestry Act, aimed at sustainable and efficient management of the state forest. RMK grows reforestation materials, organises forestry works, is engaged in the sale of forest and timber and organises game upkeep. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for hiking in nature and forest recreation on recreational areas, in Estonia’s five national parks and 40 other protected areas, and shapes awareness of nature. RMK manages 38% of Estonia’s forests.

Further information:
Tiit Timberg
Member, Management Board, RMK
Tel: 676 7061, 504 5761
E-mail:
tiit.timberg@rmk.ee

Ulvar Kaubi
Marketing Manager for Forest Management of RMK
Tel: 676 7042, 513 7042
E-mail:
ulvar.kaubi@rmk.ee
www.rmk.ee