The felled tree heats the house. That's how the story is meant to end.

A tree that comes down in the Sancy ends up in a stove. It still has to be cut, split and stacked.

Fabien cuts the logs to the length you want — 33, 40 or 50 cm — and splits them on site. You get wood ready to season, stacked, in whatever unit suits you.

Wood from a tree you've just had felled is green: it needs 18 to 24 months under a ventilated cover before it burns properly. Burnt too soon, it fouls the flue and gives out half the heat.

The right species

Beech, oak, hornbeam, ash: the hardwoods of this region make excellent firewood. Conifers burn fast, foul more, and are better kept for kindling.

Seasoning

Stacked, raised off the ground, covered on top but open at the sides. Wood is ready when it checks as it dries and rings clear. Under 20% moisture, you're good.