Best Places to Cut Willow Trees in OSRS: Top Spots for Woodcutting Success

If you’re playing Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to level up your Woodcutting skill, willow trees are a fantastic choice. Requiring only level 30 Woodcutting, they offer 67.5 experience per log, making them one of the best options for free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players alike. But where are the best places to cut willow trees in OSRS? In this blog post, we’ll explore the top locations, weigh their pros and cons, and provide tips to maximize your efficiency. Whether you’re after fast XP or a chill AFK session, we’ve got you covered!

Before diving into the best spots, let’s talk about why willow trees are so popular. They strike a perfect balance between accessibility and efficiency. Here’s why they’re a go-to for many players:

Decent XP Rates: At 67.5 XP per log, willows outpace oak trees (37.5 XP) and are a stepping stone to higher-tier trees like yews.
Low Requirements: Only level 30 Woodcutting is needed, making them accessible early in the game.
F2P Friendly: Willows are widely available in free-to-play worlds, perfect for players without membership.
Multi-Log Potential: Each tree has a 1/8 chance of depleting per log, often yielding multiple logs before disappearing.

Now, let’s get to the best places to chop them down!

Top Spot #1: Draynor Village

Draynor Village is hands-down the most iconic and popular spot for cutting willow trees in OSRS, especially for F2P players. Located just southwest of the bank, this area boasts five willow trees in a tight cluster.

Why Draynor Village Stands Out

Proximity to Bank: The bank is a mere few steps away, making it ideal for banking logs if you’re not dropping them.
Multiple Trees: Five trees mean you can hop between them, reducing downtime.
F2P Accessibility: No membership required, so it’s perfect for everyone.

Downsides to Consider

Crowded: Due to its popularity, expect competition, especially in F2P worlds.
Dark Wizards: Low-level players (e.g., level 3 skillers) should beware of nearby Dark Wizards that can attack.

Tips for Draynor Village

To maximize efficiency, use the “shift-drop” method to quickly drop logs instead of banking, unless you’re saving them for Firemaking or Fletching. At higher levels (60+), you can expect around 45k XP per hour here with a rune axe.

Top Spot #2: Woodcutting Guild (P2P)

For members, the Woodcutting Guild in Hosidius is a hidden gem for willow tree chopping. Located in the southwestern part of the guild, it offers a quieter alternative with added perks.

Advantages of the Woodcutting Guild

Invisible Boost: The guild grants a +7 invisible Woodcutting boost, increasing your chopping speed.
Bank Chest Nearby: A bank chest is within the guild, making it easy to store logs.
Less Crowded: Compared to Draynor, it’s less populated, offering a more relaxed experience.

Requirements and Drawbacks

Membership Required: You need a P2P account.
Level 60 Woodcutting: Entry to the guild requires this level, though you can still chop willows at 30.
Fewer Trees: Only a couple of willows are available, so it’s not as dense as Draynor.

Maximizing Your Time Here

Pair the guild’s boost with a dragon axe (if you have it) for even faster cuts. The nearby Perry’s Chop-Chop Shop also sells axes up to rune, so you can upgrade on the spot as you level up.

Top Spot #3: Port Sarim

Port Sarim offers a spacious willow-cutting spot just south of the jail and church, with a whopping 14 trees spread across the area. It’s a great F2P option for those seeking less competition.

Benefits of Port Sarim

Large Tree Count: 14 trees provide plenty of options, reducing wait times.
Less Crowded: It’s often quieter than Draynor, especially in less populated worlds.
Scenic Vibes: The coastal setting makes for a pleasant chopping session.

Potential Challenges

Distance to Bank: The nearest bank is in Draynor, a bit of a trek if you’re banking logs.
Spread Out: The trees aren’t as tightly clustered as Draynor’s, requiring more movement.

Strategy for Success

Drop logs instead of banking to save time, and position yourself near the densest cluster of trees (southwest of the church) to minimize walking. This spot shines for AFK training due to its lower player traffic.

Top Spot #4: Barbarian Outpost (P2P)

For P2P players, the Barbarian Outpost offers a serene willow-cutting experience near the entrance to Barbarian Assault. Several trees line the area, with a bank chest close by.

What Makes Barbarian Outpost Great

Bank Chest Access: A deposit box is right next to the trees, perfect for quick banking.
Quiet Atmosphere: It’s rarely crowded, making it ideal for uninterrupted chopping.
P2P Perks: Ties in nicely with other member activities like Barbarian Assault.

Things to Watch Out For

Membership Only: Not an option for F2P players.
Fewer Trees: The tree count is lower than Port Sarim or Draynor, so you might need to wait for respawns.

How to Optimize Your Chopping

Use the deposit box to offload logs quickly, and consider combining this with Barbarian Assault runs for a multi-skill training session. It’s a solid choice for a laid-back grind.

Top Spot #5: Lumbridge (Farmer Fred’s House)

Just northwest of Lumbridge, near Farmer Fred’s house, you’ll find six willow trees. This F2P-friendly spot is often overlooked, making it a peaceful alternative to busier locations.

Why Lumbridge Works

Low Traffic: Fewer players come here, so you’ll rarely compete for trees.
F2P Access: No membership needed, great for early-game players.
Decent Tree Count: Six trees provide a good balance of availability and space.

Limitations to Note

Bank Distance: The nearest bank is in Lumbridge Castle, a moderate walk away.
Less Efficient: Not as optimized as Draynor due to the travel time.

Tips for Lumbridge

Drop logs to keep the XP flowing, and enjoy the quiet countryside vibes. It’s a great spot for low-level players who want to avoid the Draynor crowds.

Comparing the Best Willow Tree Spots

To help you choose, here’s a quick comparison of the top five locations:

Location	F2P/P2P	Tree Count	Bank Proximity	Crowdedness
Draynor Village	F2P	5	Very Close	High
Woodcutting Guild	P2P	2-3	Close	Low
Port Sarim	F2P	14	Moderate	Low
Barbarian Outpost	P2P	4-5	Very Close	Low
Lumbridge	F2P	6	Moderate	Low

Which Spot Is Right for You?

Fastest XP (F2P): Draynor Village, if you can handle the crowds.
Fastest XP (P2P): Woodcutting Guild, thanks to the +7 boost.
Most AFK: Port Sarim or Lumbridge for their low traffic.
Best for Banking: Draynor or Barbarian Outpost.

Tips to Boost Your Willow-Cutting Efficiency

Wherever you chop, these tips will help you get the most out of your willow tree sessions:

Use the Best Axe: Upgrade to a rune axe (F2P) or dragon axe (P2P) as soon as possible for faster cuts.
Shift-Drop Logs: Enable this in settings to drop logs instantly, saving time over banking.
Lumberjack Outfit (P2P): Earn this from Temple Trekking for a 2.5% XP boost.
Tick Manipulation (Advanced): Use snow from a snow globe (if you’ve unlocked it) for 3-tick cutting, boosting XP rates significantly.

Final Thoughts on Cutting Willow Trees in OSRS

Whether you’re a free-to-play newbie or a seasoned member, cutting willow trees is a rewarding way to train Woodcutting in OSRS. Draynor Village remains the king for F2P players due to its bank proximity, while the Woodcutting Guild offers P2P players a boosted, quieter alternative. For those seeking solitude, Port Sarim, Barbarian Outpost, and Lumbridge deliver. Pick your spot based on your goals—XP, AFK, or profit—and start chopping! What’s your favorite willow tree location? Let us know in the comments!