Woodcutting 1-99 OSRS Guide for Fastest XP and Profit

Woodcutting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a relaxing yet rewarding skill that lets you gather logs, earn XP, and make some gold along the way. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 for that shiny skill cape or just want to chop trees for profit, this guide covers the fastest methods, best gear, and tips to get you from level 1 to 99 efficiently. Let’s dive into the best strategies for leveling Woodcutting, including XP rates, equipment, and profitable trees to cut.
Woodcutting is one of the most straightforward skills in OSRS. It’s low-effort, can be semi-AFK, and offers decent money-making opportunities, especially at higher levels. Plus, it’s a requirement for quests like Lost City and Song of the Elves, and it unlocks perks like better logs for Firemaking or Fletching. With this guide, you’ll learn how to optimize your training to hit 99 while keeping it fun and efficient.
Benefits of Maxing Woodcutting
- Access to high-value logs like Magic and Redwood for profit.
- Skill cape perks at 99, including a teleport to the Woodcutting Guild.
- Quest requirements completed with ease.
- AFK training for relaxed gameplay.
Getting Started Woodcutting Levels 1-15
Starting your Woodcutting journey is simple. From level 1 to 15, you’ll focus on regular trees, which are abundant across Gielinor. This stage is quick, and you’ll breeze through it in under an hour with the right setup.
Best Trees for Levels 1-15
Chop regular trees found near Lumbridge, Varrock, or Draynor Village. They give 25 XP per log and require no special axe yet. Use the following gear to speed things up:
- Bronze Axe (level 1, free from Bob’s Axes in Lumbridge).
- Iron Axe (level 1, buy from Grand Exchange for ~200 GP).
Tips for Early Levels
Bank the logs if you’re a free-to-play player to sell later, or drop them if you’re rushing XP. Regular trees respawn fast, so stick to one spot to minimize running. At level 15, you’re ready to move on to Oak trees.
Woodcutting Levels 15-60 Fast XP Methods
From levels 15 to 60, you’ll transition through Oak, Willow, and Teak trees to balance XP and efficiency. This is where you start seeing noticeable progress and can incorporate the Woodcutting Guild for boosts.
Levels 15-30 Oak Trees
Oak trees offer 37.5 XP per log and are a step up from regular trees. Head to Draynor Village or west of Varrock to find them.
- Recommended Axe: Steel Axe (level 6) or Black Axe (level 11).
- XP/Hour: ~14,000 at level 15, scaling to ~20,000 by level 30.
Bank the logs for Fletching or sell them for a small profit (~50-100 GP each).
Levels 30-45 Willow Trees
Willow trees are your go-to for fast XP at this stage, giving 67.5 XP per log. The best spot is Draynor Village, near the bank, for quick banking.
- Recommended Axe: Mithril Axe (level 21) or Adamant Axe (level 31).
- XP/Hour: ~30,000 at level 30, up to ~40,000 by level 45.
Pro Tip: If you’re in the Woodcutting Guild (requires 60 Woodcutting, but we’ll cover boosts later), Willows there give a +7% XP bonus.
Levels 45-60 Teak Trees
Teak trees are the fastest XP until level 60, offering 85 XP per log. Head to Ape Atoll (requires starting Monkey Madness I) or the Hardwood Grove in Tai Bwo Wannai (needs 100 Trading Sticks to enter).
- Recommended Axe: Rune Axe (level 41).
- XP/Hour: ~60,000-80,000 depending on focus.
Drop Teak logs for max XP or bank them for profit (~200-300 GP each). Use tick manipulation (2-tick or 3-tick methods) for up to 100,000 XP/hour if you’re comfortable with high-effort play.
Woodcutting Levels 60-99 Best Methods
From level 60, you unlock the Woodcutting Guild and high-tier trees like Yews, Magics, and Redwoods. This is where you decide between AFK methods for ease or active methods for speed.
Woodcutting Guild Access and Boosts
At level 60, head to the Woodcutting Guild in Hosidius (requires 75% Hosidius favor). The Guild offers:
- +7% XP boost to all trees.
- Unique trees like Redwood and Magic.
- Bank deposit box for convenience.
If you’re below 60, use a Dragon Axe special attack (+3 levels) or a Spicy Stew with Yellow Spice (+5 levels) to enter early.
Levels 60-75 Yew Trees
Yew trees give 175 XP per log and are great for balancing XP and profit. Chop them in the Woodcutting Guild or at the Grand Exchange.
- Recommended Axe: Dragon Axe (level 61, ~1.2M GP) or Rune Axe.
- XP/Hour: ~50,000-60,000.
- Profit: ~300-400 GP per log, netting ~50,000-100,000 GP/hour.
Levels 75-90 Magic Trees
Magic trees offer 250 XP per log and decent money. Find them in the Woodcutting Guild or near the Mage Training Arena.
- Recommended Axe: Dragon Axe or Crystal Axe (if you have Song of the Elves).
- XP/Hour: ~40,000-50,000 (slow but AFK).
- Profit: ~1,000-1,200 GP per log, up to ~100,000 GP/hour.
Note: Magic trees are slow to cut, so switch to Teaks with tick manipulation for faster XP (~120,000 XP/hour).
Levels 90-99 Redwood Trees
Redwood trees in the Woodcutting Guild are the ultimate AFK method, giving 380 XP per log. They’re slow but require minimal effort.
- Recommended Axe: Crystal Axe or Dragon Axe.
- XP/Hour: ~70,000-80,000.
- Profit: Minimal, as Redwood logs are ~300 GP each.
For max XP, stick with 2-tick Teaks (~180,000 XP/hour), but Redwoods are perfect if you want to relax.
Best Gear and Inventory Setup
Your gear and inventory can make or break your Woodcutting efficiency. Here’s the optimal setup for levels 1-99, including boosts and profit-focused items.
Recommended Axes by Level
Axe | Level Required | Cost (GP) | Best Use |
---|---|---|---|
Bronze | 1 | Free | Levels 1-5 |
Iron | 1 | ~200 | Levels 5-10 |
Steel | 6 | ~400 | Levels 10-20 |
Mithril | 21 | ~1,000 | Levels 20-30 |
Adamant | 31 | ~2,000 | Levels 30-40 |
Rune | 41 | ~10,000 | Levels 40-60 |
Dragon | 61 | ~1.2M | Levels 60-99 |
Crystal | 71 | ~3M | Levels 71-99 (post-SotE) |
Best Armor and Boosts
Use the Lumberjack Outfit (from Temple Trekking) for a +2.5% XP boost. It’s a game-changer for long grinds. For inventory:
- Graceful Outfit if running between trees.
- Funky-Shaped Log from Forestry events for extra XP.
- Stamina Potions for tick manipulation or long sessions.
Forestry Events for Extra Rewards
Participate in Forestry events (random world events) for bonus XP, logs, and unique items like the Lumberjack Hat. These are great for breaking up the grind and add small profit boosts.
With this guide, you’re set to hit 99 Woodcutting in OSRS efficiently. Whether you prefer AFK Redwoods or high-intensity Teaks, the path is clear. Chop away, and enjoy that skill cape!