Best OSRS F2P Willow Tree Guide for Woodcutting Success

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), willow trees are a cornerstone for free-to-play (F2P) players looking to level up their Woodcutting skill efficiently. Requiring only level 30 Woodcutting, willow trees offer a sweet spot of decent experience rates and accessibility, making them a go-to for both new and seasoned players. This guide dives deep into everything you need to know about chopping willow trees in F2P worlds, from the best locations to strategies for maximizing XP and profit.

Willow trees stand out in the F2P landscape because they balance experience gains with ease of access. Unlike regular trees or oaks, willows provide a significant XP boost per log, and they’re more forgiving than higher-level trees like yews, which demand more time and competition.

Experience Rates and Requirements

Chopping a willow tree grants 67.5 Woodcutting XP per log, a substantial jump from the 37.5 XP offered by oak logs. You’ll need at least level 30 Woodcutting and an axe—ideally a steel or mithril axe for faster chopping at lower levels. At level 60 Woodcutting, expect around 45,000 XP per hour in optimal conditions, though this varies based on your axe and competition.

Comparison to Other F2P Trees

Here’s how willows stack up against other F2P trees:

Tree Type	Woodcutting Level	XP per Log	Notes
Regular Tree	1	25	Fast but low XP; best for beginners
Oak	15	37.5	Decent early-game option
Willow	30	67.5	Best XP for mid-level F2P
Yew	60	175	High XP but slow and competitive

Top Willow Tree Locations in F2P Worlds

Finding the right spot to chop willows is crucial for efficiency. Willow trees are often found near water, and their proximity to banks makes certain locations particularly appealing. Below are the best F2P spots to set up your Woodcutting operation.

Draynor Village: The Classic Choice

Draynor Village hosts five willow trees just southwest of the bank, making it the most popular F2P spot. The bank’s closeness means you can store logs in seconds, maximizing chopping time. However, expect crowds, especially on high-population worlds. If you’re a low-combat-level player (below 53), watch out for the aggressive Dark Wizards nearby—they can be deadly for level 3 skillers.

Port Sarim: A Safer Alternative

South of the Rusty Anchor Inn in Port Sarim, you’ll find 14 willow trees near a bank deposit box. This spot is ideal for low-level players since no aggressive NPCs roam the area. It’s less crowded than Draynor, but the deposit box (rather than a full bank) means you can’t retrieve items as easily.

Edgeville: Hidden Gem for Quick Banking

East of Edgeville’s bank lies a single willow tree, rarely contested due to its solitary nature. It’s perfect for players who prefer banking logs and want minimal competition. The proximity to the bank rivals Draynor’s, but you’ll need to hop worlds to keep chopping consistently.

Lumbridge and Rimmington: Power-Cutting Options

For players who don’t mind dropping logs (power-cutting), Lumbridge offers six willow trees near Farmer Fred’s house, and Rimmington has several southwest of the town. These spots are great for XP-focused players, as you avoid banking time, but you’ll sacrifice potential profit from selling logs.

Strategies for Maximizing XP and Profit

Chopping willows isn’t just about clicking a tree repeatedly—it’s about optimizing your setup and approach. Whether you’re chasing XP or gold, these strategies will help you get the most out of your time.

Choosing the Right Axe

Your axe choice significantly impacts chopping speed. Here’s a quick guide to F2P axes for willow trees:

• Bronze/Iron (Level 1): Slow; only use if you’re starting out.
• Steel (Level 6): Decent for early level 30 players.
• Black (Level 11): Slightly faster; affordable upgrade.
• Mithril (Level 21): Great balance for mid-levels.
• Adamant (Level 31): Best F2P axe until level 41 for rune.
• Rune (Level 41): Top-tier for maximum efficiency.

Always wield your axe if you meet the Attack level requirement to free up inventory space.

Banking vs. Power-Cutting

Decide whether to bank or drop logs based on your goals:

• Banking: Ideal for profit. Willow logs sell for around 30-40 GP each on the Grand Exchange, and banking at Draynor or Edgeville minimizes downtime.
• Power-Cutting: Best for XP. Dropping logs saves banking trips, boosting XP rates by up to 20%. Use shift-drop for faster inventory clearing.

Dealing with Competition

Willow trees in F2P are often busy, especially in Draynor. To beat the crowds:

• World-Hop: Switch to less populated worlds (e.g., 300s or 500s) for open trees.
• Off-Peak Hours: Play during early mornings or late nights in your timezone.
• Use Runelite: The Runelite client’s “World Hopper” plugin makes switching worlds seamless.

Additional Benefits of Chopping Willow Trees

Beyond XP and logs, willow trees offer unique rewards that add value to your Woodcutting sessions.

Bird Nests and Clue Nests

Willow trees have a 1 in 256 chance to drop a bird nest, which can contain seeds, rings, or eggs. These nests despawn after two minutes, so stay alert. Additionally, you might get a clue nest (beginner to medium tiers), offering a chance at valuable loot based on your Woodcutting level and Combat Achievements progress.

Forestry Events

Since the Forestry update, chopping willows in F2P can trigger events like Rising Roots or Struggling Sapling. Participating grants bonus XP and items like leaves (if you have a Forestry Kit). These events also boost XP slightly when multiple players chop the same tree, scaling up to a maximum of 10 players.

Tips for Long-Term Woodcutting Success

Training Woodcutting to high levels in F2P can be grindy, but these tips will keep you motivated and efficient.

Combine with Firemaking

Instead of dropping logs, burn them for Firemaking XP. Willow logs require level 30 Firemaking and grant 90 XP per log (or 30 XP at a Forester’s Campfire). This dual-skilling method is efficient if you’re aiming for both 99 Woodcutting and Firemaking.

Track Your Progress

Use tools like CrystalMathLabs or the Runelite XP tracker to monitor your XP per hour and logs chopped. For reference, reaching level 99 Woodcutting from level 30 requires about 192,905 willow logs, yielding roughly 15M GP if sold at current prices.

Stay Safe in Dangerous Areas

In Draynor, the Dark Wizards can interrupt your session if your combat level is low. Keep an eye on your HP, carry some food (like lobsters or swordfish), and consider teleporting to Lumbridge if things get dicey. Alternatively, stick to safer spots like Port Sarim or Edgeville.

Willow trees are the backbone of F2P Woodcutting in OSRS, offering a blend of accessibility, solid XP, and modest profit potential. Whether you’re banking logs in Draynor, power-cutting in Lumbridge, or dodging wizards for that perfect session, mastering willow trees sets you up for success. Grab your axe, find a droopy tree, and start chopping your way to Woodcutting glory!