Best Place to Cut Maple Trees in OSRS F2P

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), woodcutting is a staple skill for free-to-play (F2P) players looking to level up, gather resources, or even make a bit of gold. Among the trees available in F2P, maple trees stand out for their decent experience rates and AFK-friendly nature. However, finding the best spot to cut maple trees in F2P can be tricky due to limited locations and quest requirements. This guide dives into the optimal place to chop maple trees, how to get there, and tips to maximize your woodcutting efficiency.

Maple trees are a mid-tier woodcutting option in OSRS, requiring level 45 Woodcutting to chop. Each maple log grants 100 Woodcutting experience, making them a solid choice for players transitioning from willow trees (level 30, 67.5 XP per log) to higher-tier options like yew trees (level 60, 175 XP per log). Here’s why maple trees are worth your time:

• AFK Training: Maple trees have a slower chop speed compared to willows, allowing for a more relaxed, semi-AFK training experience.
• Experience Rates: At level 45, you can expect around 20,000–30,000 XP per hour without tick manipulation, which is decent for F2P.
• Resource Gathering: Maple logs are used for Fletching and Firemaking, and while not highly profitable (100–200 GP each), they can be sold or used for skilling.
• Accessibility: Though limited in F2P, maple trees are available in a specific location, making them a viable option for dedicated players.

However, maple trees are less XP-efficient than willows (which offer ~35% higher XP per hour) but are favored for their low-effort gameplay. If you’re aiming for a balance between XP and relaxation, maples are ideal.

The Best F2P Maple Tree Location: Corsair Cove Resource Area

The Corsair Cove Resource Area is the only place in OSRS F2P where players can cut maple trees. This spot contains 4 maple trees and is located in a relatively remote area, which reduces competition compared to other F2P woodcutting spots like Draynor Village’s willows. However, accessing this area requires completing specific quests, which we’ll cover below.

Quest Requirements for Corsair Cove

To chop maple trees in the Corsair Cove Resource Area, you must complete the following:

• Dragon Slayer I: This is the hardest F2P quest, requiring you to defeat Elvarg, a level 83 dragon. It’s a significant hurdle but unlocks access to the Resource Area.
• The Corsair Curse (partial completion): You need to start this quest to access Corsair Cove itself. Completing it fully unlocks a bank in the area, which is crucial for efficient woodcutting.

These quests make the Corsair Cove Resource Area less crowded than other F2P spots, as many players may not have completed Dragon Slayer I. If you haven’t done these quests yet, prioritize them to unlock maple tree chopping.

How to Get to Corsair Cove Resource Area

Located in the Feldip Hills region, Corsair Cove is accessible via a few methods:

1. By Foot: From Falador or Port Sarim, head south to Rimmington, then follow the coastline southwest until you reach Corsair Cove. This is a long walk, so bring energy potions if possible.
2. By Ship: After starting The Corsair Curse, speak to Captain Tock at the Rimmington docks to sail directly to Corsair Cove. This is the fastest method.
3. Teleport (Limited): There’s no direct teleport to Corsair Cove in F2P, but you can use a Falador Teleport (if you have the Magic level) to get closer, then walk.

Once in Corsair Cove, head northeast to the Resource Area, where the maple trees are located. The trees are marked by an amber tree icon on the minimap, making them easy to spot.

Optimizing Your Woodcutting Setup

To make the most of your time chopping maple trees, you’ll need the right equipment and strategy. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.

Best Axes for F2P Woodcutting

Your axe (or hatchet) significantly affects your chopping speed. Higher-tier axes increase the chance of successfully obtaining a log every 4 game ticks. Here’s a table of F2P axes available for maple trees:

Axe	Woodcutting Level	Attack Level to Wield	Where to Get
Bronze Axe	1	1	Bob’s Axes (Lumbridge)
Iron Axe	1	1	Bob’s Axes or Grand Exchange
Steel Axe	6	5	Bob’s Axes or Grand Exchange
Mithril Axe	21	20	Grand Exchange
Adamant Axe	31	30	Grand Exchange
Rune Axe	41	40	Grand Exchange

For level 45 Woodcutting, aim for at least a Mithril Axe (or Adamant if you can afford it). The Rune Axe is the best F2P option, significantly boosting your chop success rate, especially as you approach level 60 for yew trees.

Inventory and Banking Strategy

Since the Corsair Cove bank is only accessible after completing The Corsair Curse, your strategy depends on whether you’ve finished the quest:

• With Bank Access: Chop maple logs, bank them at the Corsair Cove bank (a short walk from the trees), and sell them at the Grand Exchange for 100–200 GP each. You can expect to chop 320–400 logs per hour, yielding 7,040–8,800 GP.
• Without Bank Access: Drop logs to maximize XP efficiency. Dropping is faster than banking if you’re far from a bank, as it avoids travel time.

If you’re training Firemaking alongside Woodcutting, consider burning the logs with a tinderbox for additional Firemaking XP (40 XP per maple log). This is less efficient than dropping but can be a nice dual-skill training method.

Experience Rates and AFK Benefits

Maple trees are slower to chop than willows, which makes them less XP-efficient but more AFK-friendly. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• XP per Hour: At level 45, you’ll get ~20,000–25,000 XP/hour. By level 80, this can reach ~36,000 XP/hour without tick manipulation.
• Chop Time: A maple tree takes 60 seconds (100 ticks) to fell and 35.4 seconds (59 ticks) to respawn. Logs are rolled every 4 ticks, with success based on your Woodcutting level and axe.
• AFK Factor: The slower chop speed means you can step away briefly without missing many cycles, unlike willows, which require more attention.

If you’re aiming for level 60 Woodcutting to chop yew trees, maples are a great middle ground. However, if raw XP is your goal, sticking to willows until level 60 might be faster.

Tips for Efficient Maple Tree Cutting

To get the most out of your maple tree chopping in Corsair Cove, follow these tips:

Minimize Competition

The Corsair Cove Resource Area is less crowded than Draynor’s willows, but you may still encounter other players. Switch to a low-population world (check the world list in-game) to secure all 4 trees for yourself.

Watch for Bird Nests

While chopping, there’s a 1/256 chance per log to receive a Bird’s Nest, which may contain seeds, rings, or eggs. These can be sold or used for Farming/Prayer, adding a small bonus to your efforts.

Upgrade Your Axe Regularly

As you level up, invest in better axes from the Grand Exchange. The difference between a Mithril and Rune Axe is noticeable, especially for maple trees’ higher cut difficulty.

Combine with Other Skills

Use maple logs for Firemaking or Fletching (e.g., carving into arrow shafts for 45+ Fletching). This maximizes the value of your time, especially if you’re banking logs.

Plan Your Quests Early

If you’re a new F2P player, work toward Dragon Slayer I and The Corsair Curse as soon as possible. These quests not only unlock maple trees but also open up other content like the Champions’ Guild.

Conclusion

The Corsair Cove Resource Area is the undisputed best place to cut maple trees in OSRS F2P, offering 4 maple trees in a low-competition environment. While it requires completing Dragon Slayer I and starting The Corsair Curse, the AFK-friendly nature and decent XP rates (20,000–36,000 XP/hour) make it a worthwhile spot for level 45+ Woodcutting. Equip the best axe you can afford, decide whether to bank or drop logs, and take advantage of the area’s isolation to train efficiently. Whether you’re grinding for level 60 or just enjoying a relaxed woodcutting session, Corsair Cove’s maple trees are your go-to destination in F2P.