You can utilize tree species often overlooked by commercial logging companies, including basswood, black birch, white birch, poplar, elm, and butternut. These species are ideal for some types of carving, framing, making instruments, fabricating walking sticks, and making decorations. For income, these products may be marketed to crafters, or selling products through craft fairs. Harvest the desired species based on a forest management plan.

Example: Framing watercolor pictures with halved birch limbs.

Cooking wood represents true interaction with your forest. You can select favorable species, then cut and splitting the wood to produce a useful size and shape to accommodate cooking and grilling. Wood smoke enhances meat and fish flavors, imparting a rustic scent to the food. You can also place the wood into incense holders and steamers. If you are trying to make a market, consider packaging and selling directly to grill owners (include directions and recipes), selling to restaurants, selling to herbalists and spas, or creating unique gift packs. To keep your forest healthy, use species thinned for woodlot management. You will avoid problems if the wood is very dry (less than 10 percent moisture), clean, and pest-free.

Example: Grill your meats along side dry maple wood.

Decorative wood
Begin by assessing your forest for hardwoods with knots, burls, or unusual shapes. If you have a good inventory of these, also consider collecting logs with decorative bark, such as white birch and American beech. Common uses include wall and hearth decorations, coasters, furnishings, bases for carvings, frames, bird feeders, and other rustic-looking uses. Any of these uses could comprise a part-time business as well. You will get more out of a sustainably managed forest, so use only species and trees removed as part of a long-term management plan. Keep and eye out for insect pests and splinters.

Example: Thin slices of contorted tree limbs with a waterproof coating make unique ornaments or coasters.