Wood if you could: Buyers and sellers left out in the cold by a shortage of logs for the fireplace

By John Austin Star-Telegram Staff Writer

ARLINGTON -- Low temperatures coupled with the holiday season -- when consumers have more time to kindle fires -- have 2000 stacking up as a record year for firewood sales.

But getting firewood to the customers has been tougher than an old pine knot.

The cold snap has left many area firewood suppliers depleted and wood dealers beating the bushes for inventory.

"There ain't no wood nowhere in the Metroplex," said veteran Arlington dealer Dale O'Donnell, owner of Just Firewood. His half cords are up in price from $55 last winter to $70 this season. "I quit selling cords about six weeks ago. I was running out."

That goes for Bill Morgan, proprietor of Bill Morgan's Trees, Stumps & Shrubs, 755 Moore Road in Mansfield.

"I'm not selling any cords," Morgan said, adding that like most other dealers, he has also raised prices. "I cut back to half cords a month ago."

Arlington's Gourmet Wood Products Inc. is taking care of its commercial restaurant customers, such as the La Madeleine French Bakery and Cafe chain, which uses oak for its wood-fired ovens, before selling to the general public. Demand is taking even big chains to the woodshed for a beating.

"We don't have any at all," said Philipp Fiesser, with Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Store at 1000 W. Arbrook Blvd. in South Arlington. "We've been out about a week."

Rain, ice and snow across the state have made getting already-cut wood out of the sticks difficult.

Richard Seiber, an assistant manager at Lowe's Home Improvement Store in Hurst, said customers bought every stick of firewood the store had Friday.

"We sold more this year than we had last year. Sales increased quite a bit," said Seiber, who sold bundles of six logs for $5.97 each. "From what we've had over the past few days, we have sold out. But we should be getting some in again."

"Most everybody's out of wood," Gourmet Wood employee Keri Fulwood said yesterday. "We cut at tree length, but we can't get back in the woods because of all the rain and sleet and snow. If the weather continues inclement, it's not good for us."

She expected to receive more wood on Friday but figures consumers will burn through it in short order.

Steve Furkin of Big John's Wood Products, south of Fort Worth on U.S. 377, said it will be his best year ever. He wouldn't estimate how much wood he has chucked into the back of customers' trucks.

"Most of the Metroplex bought wood so they could have that fire going Christmas morning," Furkin said. "Most of it's for the atmosphere."

The growing number of apartments with fireplaces has also increased demand, Furkin said. Stacks with about 40 pieces of wood are bringing $25, one dealer said.

Using three-axle Army surplus vehicles, Furkin has been able to get wood out of river bottoms and difficult areas that might have thwarted other suppliers. He is running three semi-trailer trucks into the yard with deliveries and is still receiving supplies. As for his own home, the hearth is cold.

"I've got a fireplace at my house," he said, adding that after a 14-hour day at the wood lot, he couldn't care less about firing it up. "I'm not touching another piece of wood."

Staff writer Patrick McGee contributed to this report.

John Austin, (817) 548-5418

jaustin@star-telegram.com

http://www.startext.net/local/update.htm

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), December 30, 2000