Dead Trees Release CO₂ — We Store It in Lumber
At Grabeldinger Firewood & Logging, we don’t just cut trees — we manage forests. Our goal is simple: leave the land better than we found it while providing high-quality firewood and lumber. That’s why we rely on selective cutting, and one of the biggest benefits might surprise you:
It helps keep carbon dioxide (CO₂) out of the atmosphere.
Trees Store Carbon — But Only While They’re Growing
Trees absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in their trunks, branches, roots, and surrounding soil. That’s why forests are one of the most powerful tools we have for slowing climate change.
But here’s the catch:
Young, healthy trees absorb CO₂ rapidly.
Old, mature trees absorb less and eventually plateau.
Dead and decaying trees release all that stored CO₂ right back into the air as they rot.
Cutting at the Right Time Stores That Carbon
If we remove a fully mature or dying tree before it falls and decays, we can prevent that carbon from being released. And when we turn that tree into long-lasting products like lumber or furniture, the carbon stays locked away for decades — sometimes even centuries.
Even firewood, when burned efficiently, releases less carbon than a rotting log would emit over time.
This is how selective harvesting becomes a form of carbon management.
Selective Cutting Keeps Forests Carbon-Strong
Rather than clear-cutting, we walk the woods and choose trees individually based on species, maturity, and forest health. That way:
Younger trees get space and sunlight to grow faster — and capture more CO₂.
Dead or diseased trees are removed before they release carbon through decay.
Soils and root systems stay intact, protecting another massive store of forest carbon.
A forest managed this way stays productive, diverse, and climate-resilient.
| Fact | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Dead trees release their stored CO₂ as they rot | Cutting and using them in lumber stores that CO₂ instead |
| Old trees absorb less carbon | Younger trees sequester carbon more rapidly |
| Selective cutting improves forest health | Healthier forests lead to more long-term carbon storage |
| Wood products act as carbon storage | Flooring, furniture, and beams lock carbon for decades |
We’re Logging for the Long Term
we take pride in managing forests responsibly. Our approach to selective cutting supports:
Stronger, faster-growing trees
Healthy woodlots for future generations
Less carbon escaping into the air
More carbon stored in every board, log, and split stick of firewood we sell
You’re not just heating your home or building with local wood — you’re helping keep CO₂ where it belongs.
