Ultimate OSRS Woodcutting Guide 2025: Chop Your Way to 99

Woodcutting is one of the core skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) that lets you gather logs from trees all over Gielinor. It’s not just about chopping wood—it’s the backbone for skills like Fletching and Firemaking, and it can be a solid money-maker too. Whether you’re a newbie swinging a bronze axe or a veteran hunting magic logs, this guide’s packed with everything you need to level up fast, make bank, and have fun in 2025. I’ve been at this for years, and trust me, there’s nothing like the sound of a tree falling and that XP drop hitting your screen!

Getting Started with Woodcutting

Woodcutting is one of those chill skills where you can just zone out, chop some trees, and watch your inventory fill up. It’s a gathering skill, meaning you’re collecting logs to use for crafting, firemaking, or selling for that sweet GP. Here’s the lowdown on how to kick things off.

Understanding the Basics

To start, you need an axe—your trusty tool for felling trees. OSRS has a bunch of axes, each with its own vibe and speed. Here’s the lineup in 2025:

Bronze Axe: Level 1, slowest of the bunch. Perfect for starting out, but you’ll want to upgrade ASAP.
Iron Axe: Level 1, slightly better than bronze. Still basic, but it gets the job done.
Steel Axe: Level 6, where things start feeling a bit smoother.
Black Axe: Level 11, decent speed boost for early grinders.
Mithril Axe: Level 21, a solid mid-tier option.
Adamant Axe: Level 31, great for speeding things up.
Rune Axe: Level 41, the go-to for most players before endgame.
Dragon Axe: Level 61, the king of axes with a special attack that boosts your Woodcutting level temporarily. Pro tip: Use that special when you’re going hard!
Infernal Axe: Level 61, requires 85 Firemaking to create. Burns logs as you chop for Firemaking XP—perfect for multi-skilling.
Crystal Axe: Level 71, new in 2025! Requires Song of the Elves quest completion. Matches the dragon axe’s speed but has a passive chance to yield extra logs.

Equip your axe by right-clicking and selecting “Equip” in your inventory. Make sure your Woodcutting level matches the axe’s requirement, or you’re just swinging air.

Choosing Your Trees

Gielinor’s got trees for days, and each one gives different logs, XP, and vibes. Here’s the 2025 breakdown:

Tree Type	Level Required	Logs	XP per Log	Notes
Normal Tree	1	Logs	25	Everywhere, great for starters.
Oak Tree	15	Oak Logs	37.5	Decent XP, used in Construction.
Willow Tree	30	Willow Logs	67.5	Fast XP, perfect for training.
Maple Tree	45	Maple Logs	100	Great mid-level option.
Yew Tree	60	Yew Logs	175	Valuable for Fletching.
Magic Tree	75	Magic Logs	250	Top-tier, slow but worth it.
Redwood Tree	90	Redwood Logs	380	Woodcutting Guild exclusive, amazing XP.
Tropical Tree	50	Tropical Logs	125	Fossil Island, Bone Voyage required.
Crystal Tree	74	Crystal Shards	200	New in 2025, Prifddinas only, Song of the Elves required.

Pick your tree based on your level and goals—XP grinders love willows, while money-makers chase yews and magics.

Best Woodcutting Spots in 2025

Finding the right spot can make or break your grind. Here’s where to chop:

Draynor Village: Oak and willow heaven, bank nearby. My go-to when I was a low-level noob.
Varrock South: Normal, oak, and willow trees. Great for early levels.
Seers’ Village: Yew and maple trees, close to a bank. Always packed, so hop worlds if it’s crowded.
Woodcutting Guild: Level 60 required. Tons of trees, including redwoods at 90. Bonus: 7% XP boost just for being there!
Fossil Island: Tropical trees after Bone Voyage. Quiet and chill.
Prifddinas: Crystal trees for high-level players. Unlocked with Song of the Elves. So worth it for the shards!

Optimal Woodcutting Methods for 2025

Leveling Woodcutting is all about picking the right method for your level and playstyle. Here’s the best path to 99, with some new 2025 strats thrown in.

Levels 1-15: Normal Trees

Start with normal trees. They’re everywhere—Lumbridge, Varrock, Draynor. You’re looking at 20-30k XP per hour. I used to chop behind Lumbridge Castle, dreaming of the day I’d wield a dragon axe. Sell or burn the logs for some early Firemaking XP.

Levels 15-30: Oak Trees

Switch to oak trees at 15. Draynor’s the spot—oaks are right by the bank. You’ll get 30-45k XP per hour. Oak logs are decent for Construction too, so you might wanna save ‘em.

Levels 30-45: Willow Trees

Willows are your bread and butter at 30. Draynor’s still king—those trees by the river are perfect. Expect 45-60k XP per hour. Pro tip: Power-cut (drop logs instead of banking) for max XP. I spent hours here back in the day, chatting with randoms in world 2.

Levels 45-60: Maple Trees

At 45, hit up maple trees. Seers’ Village or the Woodcutting Guild are solid picks. You’re looking at 60-75k XP per hour. Maple logs are great for Fletching, so decide if you wanna bank or drop.

Levels 60-75: Yew Trees

Yew trees at 60 are where the money starts rolling in. Edgeville or the Woodcutting Guild are prime spots. XP ranges from 75-110k per hour, and yew logs sell like hotcakes for Fletching. I made my first mil chopping yews—felt like a Gielinor tycoon!

Levels 75-90: Magic Trees

Magic trees are slow but rewarding at 75. Woodcutting Guild or Tree Gnome Stronghold are your best bets. You’ll get 100-130k XP per hour, and those magic logs are gold for high-level Fletching. Patience is key here.

Levels 90-99: Redwood Trees

Redwoods in the Woodcutting Guild are the endgame dream at 90. They give 380 XP per log and 130-180k XP per hour. Slow but steady, and the logs are decent for Firemaking. I camped here for my 99—worth every chop.

New in 2025: Crystal Trees (Levels 74-99)

Crystal trees in Prifddinas, unlocked via Song of the Elves, are a game-changer. They give 200 XP per shard and can hit 120-150k XP per hour with the crystal axe. Shards are used for Crafting and Smithing, making this a hybrid training method. I’ve been loving these for their chill vibe and profit potential.

New in 2025: Forestry Events

Forestry events, expanded in 2025, are random world events where you team up to chop special trees for bonus XP and rewards like the Forestry Basket (stores logs, saving inventory space). They pop up in places like Draynor or Seers’ Village. XP can hit 150k+ per hour during events, and you might snag rare items like the Lumberjack outfit. I got my full set from one of these—felt like winning the GE lottery!

Woodcutting Gear and Equipment

Your gear can make chopping a breeze. Here’s what you need in 2025:

Axes: Upgrade to the best axe you can wield. Crystal or infernal axes are top-tier for high levels.
Lumberjack Outfit: 2.5% XP boost when wearing all pieces (hat, top, legs, boots). Get it from Forestry events or Temple Trekking.
Woodcutting Cape: Level 99 perk. Acts as a Forestry Basket and gives a 10% chance to chop faster.
Forestry Basket: New in 2025, holds up to 28 logs, reducing bank trips.
Graceful Outfit: Boosts run energy for hopping between trees. Not essential, but nice for power-cutting.

Pro tip: Use an Amulet of Glory for quick teleports to Edgeville or Draynor to bank logs.

Manual vs. Power-Cutting

You’ve got two main ways to train: manual or power-cutting. Here’s the deal:

Manual Woodcutting

Chop, bank, repeat. You keep the logs for profit or other skills. It’s chill, social, and great if you need logs for Fletching or Firemaking. Downside? Slower XP since you’re banking.

Power-Cutting

Chop and drop logs immediately. It’s all about max XP—think 20-30% more per hour than manual. Best spots are willows in Draynor or redwoods in the Guild. It’s intense, and you’ll miss out on log profits, but it’s the fastest way to 99. I powered through my last 10 levels like this—my fingers were numb, but that cape was worth it!

Utilizing Logs: Beyond Chopping

Logs aren’t just for stacking in your bank. Here’s how to make the most of ‘em:

Firemaking

Burn logs for Firemaking XP. Here’s the XP per log:

Normal Logs: 40 XP
Oak Logs: 60 XP
Willow Logs: 90 XP
Maple Logs: 135 XP
Yew Logs: 180 XP
Magic Logs: 300 XP
Redwood Logs: 350 XP

Try Wintertodt for Firemaking XP and rewards. It’s a fun minigame, and you’ll feel like a hero saving the camp!

Fletching

Use logs to make bows, arrow shafts, or crossbow stocks. Yew and magic logs are gold for high-level Fletching. Always keep a knife handy!

Construction

Oak and teak logs are great for Construction. Build furniture in your POH for some extra XP and a flex-worthy house.

Woodcutting Quests and Achievements

Quests and achievements spice up your grind and give juicy XP. Here’s what to tackle:

Tree Gnome Village: Level 15, 2,000 XP. Easy quest, unlocks Tree Gnome Stronghold.
The Grand Tree: 18,400 XP. More gnome shenanigans, great for early levels.
Fairytale I – Growing Pains: 3,000 XP, unlocks fruit tree patches.
Fairytale II – Cure a Queen: 12,000 XP, unlocks magic trees.
Monkey Madness I: 10,000 XP, some Woodcutting tasks in the jungle.
Song of the Elves: 20,000 XP, unlocks crystal trees. A must for high-level players.

Achievement Diaries like Varrock or Kandarin also give XP and perks like faster log cutting. I knocked out the Kandarin Diary for that sweet Seers’ Village boost—game-changer!

Tips for Efficient Woodcutting in 2025

Maximize your grind with these pro tips:

Use the Best Axe: Crystal or infernal for high levels, dragon if you’re not there yet.
Get the Lumberjack Outfit: That 2.5% XP boost adds up. Forestry events are your friend.
Join Forestry Events: Bonus XP and loot. Check X for event schedules!
Bank Smart: Use the Woodcutting Guild’s bank or Draynor for quick deposits.
Hop Worlds: Crowded spot? Switch to a quieter world for faster chops.
Use Potions: Lumberjack Aura (new in 2025, from Forestry rewards) boosts Woodcutting by +2 for 30 minutes.
Take Breaks: Woodcutting’s chill, but don’t burn out. Grab a snack, stretch, and come back swinging.

One time, I forgot to bank my magic logs and lost ‘em to a DC—don’t be me. Use that Forestry Basket!

Why Woodcutting Rocks in 2025

Woodcutting’s not just a skill—it’s a vibe. Whether you’re power-cutting for 99, banking yews for bank, or chilling at a Forestry event, there’s something for everyone. With new additions like crystal trees and Forestry expansions, 2025 is the best time to chop. So grab your axe, hit up the Woodcutting Guild, and let’s make some logs! Happy chopping, and may your XP drops be massive!