Best Ways to Level Up Woodcutting in OSRS: A Complete 2025 Guide

Best Ways to Level Up Woodcutting in OSRS: A Complete 2025 Guide


Woodcutting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most iconic and relaxing skills to train. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 to snag that coveted skill cape or just want to chop trees for profit, this guide will walk you through the best ways to level up Woodcutting efficiently in 2025. From free-to-play (F2P) methods to pay-to-play (P2P) strategies, we’ll cover fast XP routes, AFK options, and even profitable approaches. Let’s grab an axe and dive in!

Before we chop into the methods, let’s explore why Woodcutting is worth your time. It’s not just about gathering logs—it’s a gateway to other skills like Fletching, Firemaking, and Construction, while also offering decent gold-making opportunities. Plus, with the 2023 Forestry update, Woodcutting became more social and rewarding, adding events and bonuses that spice up the grind.

Benefits of High Woodcutting Levels

  • Access to High-Value Logs: Redwood and Magic logs can fetch a nice profit.
  • Skill Cape Perks: The Woodcutting Cape boosts bird nest drops by 10%.
  • Quest Requirements: Quests like Making Friends with My Arm and Dragon Slayer II need decent Woodcutting levels.
  • AFK Training: Perfect for multitasking or casual play.

F2P Woodcutting: Levels 1-99

For free-to-play players, Woodcutting is straightforward but limited in tree variety. You’ll stick to five tree types: regular, oak, willow, maple, and yew. Here’s the optimal path to 99 in F2P.

Levels 1-15: Regular Trees

Start with regular trees, which give 25 XP per log. They’re everywhere—Lumbridge, south of the Grand Exchange, or west of Varrock are prime spots. You’ll need 97 logs to hit level 15, taking about 15-20 minutes with a bronze or iron axe.

  • Tip: Drop logs instead of banking for speed.
  • XP/Hour: ~10,000

Levels 15-30: Oak Trees

At level 15, switch to oak trees (37.5 XP/log). Head to Varrock’s east gate or south-west of the west bank for three trees near a bank. You’ll need 534 logs to reach level 30, averaging 35-40 minutes.

  • Tip: Bank logs if you’re a new account needing cash; otherwise, drop them.
  • XP/Hour: ~19,000

Levels 30-99: Willow Trees

Willow trees (67.5 XP/log) are your go-to from level 30 to 99 in F2P. Draynor Village, near the riverbank, is the best spot due to its proximity to a bank. At level 30, expect 24,000 XP/hour, scaling up to 57,000 XP/hour by level 99.

  • Tip: Use the best axe available (rune at 41 Woodcutting).
  • Total Logs to 99: ~192,000
  • Time to 99: ~225-250 hours

Boosting F2P XP: 3-Tick Willow Method

For max efficiency, try the 3-tick method with willows. Using a snow globe (from holiday events), click snow, drop logs, and chop every 3 ticks. This bumps XP to 85,000/hour at level 99, cutting the grind to ~150 hours. It’s click-intensive but the fastest F2P route.

P2P Woodcutting: Fastest Methods to 99

Pay-to-play opens up a world of trees, axes, and techniques. If speed is your goal, these methods will get you to 99 Woodcutting the quickest.

Levels 1-35: Regular Trees and Quests

Start with regular trees (25 XP/log) until level 15, then oak trees (37.5 XP/log) to 35. Alternatively, knock out these quests for a head start:

Quest XP Reward Level Reached
Monk’s Friend 2,000 14
Enlightened Journey 1,500 20 (with above)
Icthlarin’s Little Helper 4,000 26 (with above)

Post-quests, chop oaks to 35 in ~1 hour.

Levels 35-65: Teak Trees (Tick Manipulation)

Teak trees (85 XP/log) shine with tick manipulation. At Ape Atoll or Prifddinas (Forestry world 444), 2-tick chopping with auto-retaliate and an attacking NPC yields up to 130,000 XP/hour at 99, averaging 100,000-110,000 XP/hour from 35+. You’ll need the Lumberjack outfit and a crystal felling axe (level 71) for peak rates.

  • Location: Prifddinas (Forestry boost +10 levels)
  • Time to 65: ~30-35 hours

Levels 65-99: Sulliusceps

Sulliusceps on Fossil Island (post-Bone Voyage) offer 90,000-100,000 XP/hour. These mushrooms require a unique route (1-6 spawns), dodging tar monsters and vines. Bring food, antipoisons, and a rake. No logs to bank—just pure XP.

  • Total XP to 99: ~13M
  • Time from 65: ~110-120 hours

Forestry Boosts

Forestry events (e.g., Struggling Sapling, Rising Roots) add 10-20% extra XP/hour when chopping with others. World 444 is ideal for teak chopping, pushing rates past 130,000 XP/hour with lucky spawns.

AFK Woodcutting: Relaxed Paths to 99

Not into sweaty tick manipulation? These AFK methods let you chill while leveling up.

Levels 60-90: Yew Trees

Yew trees (175 XP/log) are decently AFK at 114 seconds per tree. The Woodcutting Guild (60 Woodcutting, 75% Hosidius favor) offers a +7 invisible boost and a nearby bank. Expect 40,000-50,000 XP/hour and ~5M GP to 90.

  • Location: Seers’ Village Church or Guild
  • Logs to 90: ~62,000

Levels 90-99: Redwood Trees

Redwood trees (380 XP/log) in the Woodcutting Guild are the ultimate AFK option. With 4-minute timers, you’ll get 60,000-75,000 XP/hour and ~6.5M GP in logs. Perfect for Netflix and chop.

  • Logs to 99: 20,232
  • Time from 90: ~128-150 hours

Profitable Woodcutting Methods

Want to make gold while training? These methods balance XP and profit.

Levels 75-99: Magic Trees

Magic trees (250 XP/log) in the Woodcutting Guild or Sorcerer’s Tower yield 50,000-60,000 XP/hour and ~900 GP/log. Banking logs nets ~17M GP to 99 from 75.

  • Total Logs: ~50,000
  • Time: ~200-220 hours

Forestry Rewards

Sell Felling Axe Handles (10,000 Anima-Infused Bark, ~2.6M GP each). At 1,000 bark/hour, that’s 260,000 GP/hour extra. Combine with yew or magic logs for 95M+ GP to 99.

Tips and Gear for Max Efficiency

To optimize your Woodcutting grind, use the right tools and strategies.

Best Axes

  • Bronze-Iron: Levels 1-10
  • Steel: Level 6
  • Mithril: Level 21
  • Adamant: Level 31
  • Rune: Level 41
  • Dragon: Level 61 (special attack +3 boost)
  • Crystal Felling: Level 71 (P2P, best XP)

Outfits and Boosts

  • Lumberjack/Forestry Outfit: 2.5% XP boost (Temple Trekking or Forestry Shop).
  • Lightbearer: More dragon axe specials.
  • Preserve Prayer: Extends boosts (level 55 Prayer).

General Tips

  • Chop in the Woodcutting Guild for +7 levels.
  • Shift-drop logs for speed (enable in settings).
  • Join Forestry events for bonus XP and bark.

Whether you’re racing to 99 with teaks and Sulliusceps or chilling with redwoods, Woodcutting in OSRS offers something for everyone. Pick your path, swing that axe, and enjoy the journey to mastery in 2025!