I used to have a property in the outback on which I had a shed. I kept it warm, well; sort of warm, using a pretty efficient modern slow combustion heater. I was revegetating the block so there wasn't much wood laying around and consequently I was buying extra wood in.

When travelling back to the city one day, I noticed a local farmer was cutting down windbreak trees. Trees in this area grow very slowly - the ones in question were decades old. It had been a poor season due to drought so he was cutting them down to sell as firewood.

I felt sorry for him that he had to do such a thing. Then it struck me - was the wood I bought acquired from a similar struggling farmer? Those trees are so important for reducing soil erosion by acting as windbreak. The removal of trees also contributes to salinity in the local environment and interferes with movement of water under the surface. Trees also provide added fertility to the soil when they drop leaves and branches.

This farmer was actually probably causing himself more long term problems - if the soil was poor before he cut down the trees; it's going to be even worse after doing so.

The next time you're buying wood; ask about the source - does it come from a wood lot (renewable resource) or is it from general clearing?

Farmers need to be encouraged to set aside land for wood lot purposes or to extend the depth of windbreaks just in case in the future they need to harvest some trees to get them out of a tight financial spot; rather than clear what little protection their land has in times of drought.

Handy firewood buying tip:

Ensure the timber you buy is dry. Damp or "green" timber will create more smoke and more carbon sent into the atmosphere. You'll also pay up to 25% more when you take into account water weight. The easiest way to gauge if wood is reasonably dry is through sound. Rap on a sample piece with the back of your knuckles, it should make a "toc, toc" type sound wheras green wood will make more of a dull thumping sound.