OSRS 1-99 Woodcutting Guide Fastest and AFK Methods for 2025

OSRS 1-99 Woodcutting Guide Fastest and AFK Methods for 2025

Woodcutting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a relaxing yet rewarding skill that lets players gather logs for profit, quests, or other skills like Firemaking and Construction. Whether you’re aiming for the Woodcutting skill cape or looking to make some gold, this comprehensive 1-99 Woodcutting guide covers the fastest, most profitable, and AFK methods for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players. Updated for 2025, we’ll dive into Forestry mechanics, tick manipulation, and essential gear to optimize your journey.

Woodcutting involves chopping trees to collect logs, with experience rates and profits scaling based on your level, axe, and method. The skill is accessible to all players, requiring only an axe to begin. Higher-tier axes and specific gear, like the Lumberjack outfit, significantly boost efficiency. Before diving into leveling, let’s cover the essentials.

Key Equipment for Woodcutting

Using the best axe for your level is crucial for maximizing experience rates. Here’s a breakdown of axes and their requirements:

Axe Woodcutting Level Attack Level Notes
Bronze Axe 1 1 Starting axe, very slow.
Iron Axe 1 1 Slightly faster, cheap for F2P.
Steel Axe 6 5 Decent early upgrade.
Mithril Axe 21 20 Good for mid-level F2P.
Adamant Axe 31 30 Strong F2P option.
Rune Axe 41 40 Best F2P axe, great for P2P until 61.
Dragon Axe 61 60 P2P, special attack boosts level by +3.
Crystal Axe 71 70 Best axe, requires Song of the Elves.

Pro Tip: The Infernal Axe (61 Woodcutting, 85 Firemaking) burns 1/3 of logs for Firemaking XP, saving inventory space but reducing profit.

Essential Gear and Boosts

  • Lumberjack Outfit: Grants 2.5% XP boost. Obtain via Temple Trekking (fastest, ~1 hour) or Forestry events with anima-infused bark.
  • Forestry Kit: Allows clothes pouch to wear prayer armor while retaining Lumberjack benefits. Buy with anima-infused bark.
  • Lightbearer Ring: Speeds up special attack regeneration for Dragon/Infernal Axe boosts.
  • Woodcutting Guild: P2P, requires 60 Woodcutting and 75% Hosidius favor. Grants +7 invisible Woodcutting boost.

Fastest 1-99 Woodcutting Path (P2P)

For players aiming to hit 99 as quickly as possible, tick manipulation and high-intensity methods are key. This path focuses on maximum XP per hour, though it’s click-intensive. Completing quests early can also give a head start.

Levels 1-26: Quests and Regular Trees

Start with quests to skip early levels:

  • Monk’s Friend: 2,000 XP, ~15 minutes, no skill requirements.
  • Enlightened Journey: 1,500 XP, requires 20 Firemaking, 30 Farming, 36 Crafting, 20 Quest Points.

These quests take you to ~Level 26 in about 1 hour. For levels 1-15 without quests, chop regular trees (25 XP/log) in Lumbridge or west of Varrock. Switch to a Steel Axe at Level 6.

Levels 15-35: Oak Trees and 2-Tick Oaks

Chop oak trees (37.5 XP/log) near Varrock west bank or Draynor Village for banking. At Level 15, try 2-tick oak chopping for up to 100k XP/hour (requires luring rats in Falador for auto-retaliate timing—see video guides for setup). Use Mithril Axe at 21 and Adamant Axe at 31.

Levels 35-90: Teak Trees with Tick Manipulation

Teak trees (85 XP/log) on Fossil Island (requires Bone Voyage quest) are the fastest XP method with tick manipulation. The 1.5-tick method yields up to 235k XP/hour at 99, while 2-tick is less intense at ~170k XP/hour. Locations include Ape Atoll and Hardwood Grove. Expect ~70 hours from 35-99 with a Dragon Axe (Level 61) or Crystal Axe (Level 71). Rune Axe is viable until 61.

XP Rates by Level (1.5-Tick Teak):

  • Level 35: 115k XP/hour (Adamant Axe)
  • Level 61: 173k XP/hour (Dragon Axe)
  • Level 99: 235k XP/hour (Crystal Axe)

Levels 90-99: Redwood Trees (Optional)

Redwood trees in the Woodcutting Guild (380 XP/log, 427 XP with Lumberjack and Felling Axe) are slower (~70k XP/hour) but more AFK. Switch here if tick manipulation feels too intense. Expect ~128 hours from 90-99, yielding ~4M GP if banking logs.

AFK and Profitable Woodcutting Methods

If you prefer a relaxed approach or want to make gold, these methods balance XP and profit while requiring minimal effort.

Levels 30-60: Willow Trees

Willow trees (67.5 XP/log) near Draynor Village bank are ideal for F2P and early P2P. Expect ~35k XP/hour without tick manipulation. Banking logs yields ~15M GP from 30-99 in F2P.

Levels 60-90: Yew Trees

Yew trees (175 XP/log) in the Woodcutting Guild or south of Edgeville (F2P) offer ~60k XP/hour and 80k-120k GP/hour. Fletching logs into longbows increases profit. Chopping from 60-99 nets ~19.5M GP in F2P.

Levels 75-99: Magic Trees

Magic trees (250 XP/log) in the Woodcutting Guild provide ~25k XP/hour but 150k-200k GP/hour. This is a slow but lucrative AFK method, ideal for alternate accounts.

Levels 90-99: Redwood Trees

As mentioned, redwoods are the go-to AFK method at 60k-70k XP/hour and 400k-600k GP/hour. Their 4-minute depletion timer makes them perfect for multitasking.

Forestry: Boosting XP and Profit

Introduced in 2023, Forestry adds group-based events and rewards to Woodcutting, making it more engaging and profitable. Events occur while chopping trees (except regular trees, hollow trees, or in the Woodcutting Guild) and yield anima-infused bark for rewards.

Forestry Events and Rewards

Join official Forestry worlds (388, 444, 487, 510) for more event triggers. Popular spots include maple trees in Mistrock (near bank) or yews in the Woodcutting Guild. Events grant 80k-90k XP/hour at 99 when cutting yews. Key rewards include:

Forestry Mechanics

Trees now deplete on a timer (e.g., 27 seconds for oaks, 4:24 for redwoods) instead of a 1/8 chance per log. This makes chopping more predictable. Use the Felling Axe (Level 61, +10% XP) for extra efficiency.

F2P Woodcutting Guide

F2P Woodcutting is slower but viable for reaching 99. Dropping logs is faster than banking unless you’re near a bank (e.g., Draynor willows).

Levels 1-15: Regular Trees

Chop regular trees (25 XP/log) west of Lumbridge or south of the Grand Exchange. Use Iron Axe at 1, Steel at 6.

Levels 15-60: Oak Trees

Oak trees (37.5 XP/log) near Varrock west bank or Draynor are best. At 35, 2-tick oaks yield over 100k XP/hour with a Rune Axe (Level 41). Switch to Mithril Axe at 21, Adamant at 31.

Levels 60-99: Yew Trees

Yew trees (175 XP/log) south of Edgeville or behind Varrock Palace offer ~60k XP/hour and 39k GP/hour (19.5M GP total). Use Rune Axe at 41.

3-Tick Willows (Optional)

At 30, 3-tick willows in Draynor (using a snow globe) can hit 85k XP/hour at 99, but it’s click-intensive and requires precise timing.

Final Tips: For P2P, prioritize the Lumberjack outfit and Woodcutting Guild access early. F2P players should focus on 2-tick oaks or yews for profit. Forestry adds variety and extra GP, so join events when possible. With patience, you’ll be rocking the Woodcutting cape in no time!