By Gregory Arnold, Contributing Writer
Larry Cotter stands near his newly delivered batch of wood.
Northborough – Longtime Northborough resident Larry Cotter, 77, has been heating his house with wood for over 35 years. However, the wood isn’t ready to be used to heat his home upon delivery.
Each spring Cotter gets a delivery of about 50 tree trunks. These trunks must be cut into small logs that can then be split into usable firewood. He uses a chainsaw to cut the trunks and an axe to split the wood.
Cotter does the entire process himself. Starting when the snow clears and working throughout the summer the process is tedious. He notes it’s definitely not for everyone.
“You have to love to do it. If you don’t it’s not going to be worth it,” he said.
When completed Cotter has enough wood to comfortably heat his house during the colder months. He and his wife like the house warm, he said, adding that that they usually keep it in the mid-80s during the dead of winter.
Photos/Gregory Arnold
Cotter splits the wood with his axe and wedge.