Overview:

Kyle Nartowicz, owner of Nartowicz Tree Service in Royalston, will give away free cordwood this Sunday, October 19, at his company's log yard. This is the third year he has made this donation, and he said he saw a need for it. He said there's no set limit on how much wood can be taken, and help with cutting and splitting is appreciated, though not required. All of the wood being given away comes from hazard removals. Nartowicz Tree Service serves customers in North Quabbin, Franklin County, and around Northampton.

ROYALSTON – Kyle Nartowicz, owner of Nartowicz Tree Service, will be giving away free cordwood this Sunday, Oct. 19, at his company’s log yard in Royalston.

This will be Nartowicz’s third year making this donation.

“I saw there was a need for it and, realistically, there’s not really any way to make money selling cordwood,” he said. “So I figured I’d have some of my friends come up and open it up to the public and allow people to come and cut and split. Then we give it to anybody who needs it.”

Nartowicz said help with cutting and splitting is appreciated, though not required.

“There are people who come to cut and split,” he explained, “and then there are people who come who can’t really work and they can come and just grab split, ready-to-go cordwood.”

Nartowicz said there’s no set limit on how much wood can be taken.

“The people who show up for cordwood tend to help load each other up,” Nartowicz said. “But I do have some other area tree services who are coming with equipment this year to help out.”

In years past, he said between 100 and 150 people have picked up cordwood. The first year, he gave away about 30 cords of wood, and approximately 45 in the second year. A cord of wood, he explained, sells for about $300. If Nartowicz gives away another 45 cords of wood this year, that’s about $13,500 worth of assistance he will provide to area residents.

All of the wood being given away, said Nartowicz, “comes from the trees I cut down around people’s houses. They’re all hazard removals.”

Nartowicz Tree Service serves customers in North Quabbin, Franklin County and around Northampton. Nartowicz said he has been in the tree service business for 18 years.

“I started right out of high school,” he said. “I’ve never done anything else. I love it. I can’t tell you how many of my friends have said to me, ‘You have no idea just how lucky you are to make a living doing something you truly love.’”

The tree service is located at at 335 Athol Richmond Road in Royalston. The giveaway will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For questions, Nartowicz can be reached at (978) 895-9722.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.