Many Thanks to the original creator of this guide, Aratorn777!
About Me
Well then. Where to start? Hm...
Okay, I've got it.
I have been playing since '02 and I can confidently say that I am a Veteran at this game, especially at free-to-play, since I spent over 6 years of my game time on it.
The day I started thinking, man, I love that cape... Was the 27th of May, 2008. I was just looking on at this guy, admiring his cape, when this thought flashed through my mind.
'If he can do it, why not I?'
And this is the exact thing I want you aspiring master woodcutters to think of when you see someone with a woodcutting cape.
Just for the record, it took me almost 7 months to get my woodcutting from 34 to 99, with the final levels of 90+ as a member for a month. I achieved this Skill-cape, the envy of my friends and the right to call myself a master woodcutter on the 11th of December at 0138 hours GMT+8. Of course, I used the money-making method, as most guides would call it.
An introduction to Woodcutting
So, you think you've got what it takes to get this 99 cape? Well actually, I think everyone can get the cape, but that's beside the point. It is after all the journey and not the destination which matters right?
Yes ok. So most of you think that Woodcutting is all about chopping trees...
Well, you're absolutely correct! But what I feel sets this apart from the other 2 big production skills, is that you actually get to chat, and on ftp, its much easier to bank your precious ores/logs/fish. In addition, YOU GET TO CHAT!
Training Equipment
The main thing to note when doing Woodcutting, and for that matter, any skill which does not involve combat and has some running to do. Always get your weight as low as possible.
I have 26 logs in my inventory. That explains the 62kg. :O.
What I usually wear would be my magic robes, a shield, and your oh-so-lovable-trusty-not-to-mention-needed hatchet or axe.
I only wear this because I have no bank space, thanks to member items too precious to throw away!
Free to Play - Speed path.
This path is meant for those people who just want the 99 and nothing else.
Levels 1 to 15
Normal trees
Well, you only have a bronze axe. So pick it up you woodcutting newb and start chopping the trees behind Lumbridge castle. You may bank your logs to burn them for firemaking experience but I have no idea which are the good and bad places to burn. This is, after all, a woodcutting guide is it not?
Levels 15 to 35
Oak trees
By now, I will assume that you have a steel axe. If you don't, get one. Oaks are a pain with bronze axes and 15 woodcutting. Just chop away at the oaks in the forest behind Lumbridge castle, yes, the same place where you chopped when you were still a newby woodcutter. Bank the logs then either sell them or burn them.
Levels 36 to 99
Willow trees
This will be the longest stretch ever. I hope this is evident from the great level difference, never mind the experience... If you really want to know, you can always check the experience table, but I would suggest you don't till you're at least at 80, or you'll probably give up if this is your first 99...
You will be cutting willows from now on. There are several places to do so, some are worse, some are great. Some get better or worse as you level up, and some are just plain stinky. In order to not overload your brains with junk, I will only be listing 3 places to cut. Remember that willows are worthless junk. Unless you want to burn or TRY to sell them, drop them. I recommend banking them first then dropping in bulk. It's much faster that way.
The first place, and the most popular, are the willows near to Draynor bank. Lot's of people here, some of them with 90+ woodcutting going for the cape. Do not use this place unless you have 75+ woodcutting or you'll be tearing your head off in frustration from lack of logs. Also, lower levels should beware the dark wizards.
The second place, and one of the less popular ones, is the pond south of the Lumbridge mill. To find it in-game, get to the mill and walk south till you see a pond. Simple. To bank, run west to Draynor. Rinse, lather, repeat.
The final place is near the wall that separates Port Sarim from Draynor Village. There are willows near the sea along the bank. Chop, bank, chop.
Free to Play - Money-making method.
For all you poor guys like me who want some cash.
The method is the same. Follow the speed path from levels 1 to 60. The main difference here is when you start to cut yews. Yes, the almighty, invincible yews. The greatest thing that's ever happened to me in-game as an f2per.
At 75, +/- 15 levels start cutting Yews. There are comparatively fewer good places to chop these beauties, and some are just too crowded for a level 60 Woodcutter.
Levels 60 to 99
Yew trees
Some of the places you can cut in are the yews south of Melzar's Maze which has 4 yews. Why not get an Explorer’s Ring? This is where it comes in handy, especially if you have the gold one. The run and teleport boosts work wonders for me. Basically, just teleport to the Cabbage Field or Falador and get yourself to the yews. Chop, teleport back to Falador/ Cabbage Field and bank in Falador/Draynor respectively.
Another place would be behind Varrock Castle with 3 yews. This place is one of the fastest if you have a high woodcutting level, and one of the slowest if your woodcutting level isn't at least 80. Why? Because it's so good, it's so crowded. What makes it so good? The Grand Exchange bank.
The final place would be the forest south of Falador. There are about 4 yews as well but they are very far apart. Honestly, I wouldn't use this unless the other 2 were really crowded (7+ people) or I just wanted a change in scenery. Teleports are useful here.
That concludes the Free-to-play guide. Now, onto the members one!
Pay-to-play
For Pay-to-play, woodcutting is made a lot easier because of all the lovely teleports and that snazzy cape at the end of the journey, not to mention all that extra world space.
Speed route
The speed route is pretty much the same as the free-to-play route for the earlier levels the difference lies with the place where you chop your willows.
Levels 30 to 35/85/99
Willow trees
I only have a few places in mind and the best one is next to the barbarian outpost. Remember that you cannot bank here, only deposit, so bring everything you need first.
Levels 35 to 85/99
Teak trees
The next place is on Ape Atoll. This place is only worth it if you have a GreeGree. Remember, no Random Events while you are a monkey, but this may be somewhat bad, due to your ability to get lamps from all Randoms now.
Experience here is awesome nonetheless. Cut-and-drop strictly. Banking is prohibited.
Note: If you want some cash, switch to maples at Seer's village at 50.
Levels 85 to 99
Eucalyptus trees
Only 1 spot I have in mind. Eucalyptus at Oo'glog. You will never need another place. They are the best trees in the game, speed and money-wise. They cut as fast as willows at 90+ and sell for as much and as fast as yews. No questions asked. Best place ever. The only drawback is the quest requirement, 'As a first resort...'. But that's nothing that should stop you. I made a choice to stop woodcutting and get the quest done and that has been the best decision of my RuneScape career. Never regretted it ever.
Pay to Play - Money-making route.
For the money-making route, follow through the member guide from levels 1 to 45.
Levels 45 to 58
Maple trees
Do maples in Seer's village. While not the best in the game, the logs will sell, unlike willows, due to some demand from Free players who can't chop the logs wanting to burn them.
Levels 58 to 99
Eucalyptus trees
Wow. Why is Eucalyptus in both the speed and money routes? Simply because it is the ONLY way to go. I cannot stress this enough. Do Eucalyptus. They chop faster than yews for roughly the same cash. Do it! Or die... You have been warned.
The Alternative Money-Making Route
Okay then. Some people have kept on telling me that, for whatever the reason, they just don't like doing quests/raising hunter/chopping eucalyptus yada yada yada.
So! I have made a section dedicated to helping you raise those lumberjack levels without chopping eucalyptus although I will state first, I have no experience whatsoever on this route. Thou hath been warned.
As with the normal money making route, you'll need to follow some other route first before branching off. Start off by following the speed guide from levels 1 to 45, then the money making guide from 45 to 60, remembering to bank the logs you get from 45 to 60 of course.
Levels 60 to 75
Yew trees
Yeps. The good old yew trees once again. Unlike F2P, you have a lot more of these beauties in your world and I will be listing 2 spots ( I would add more but I'm currently f2p, and I'm tired)
Spot number 1!
The Beehive! There are 6 yew trees here, and lots of people to keep you company! (And steal your logs ) But that shouldn't bother you, since you obviously LOVE company as you hate the eucalyptus spot. Beware the bees!
Spot number 2!
The Tree Gnome Stronghold! There are quite a few yews here, as well as magic trees, and a lot less people than the beehive spot. Some people like to go for their 99s here, and this spot as seen quite a few of them. Remember to cheer when someone gets their cape! (and you don't cause you're doing yews and not eucalyptus)
There's also a bank, as you can see below...
Levels 75 to 99
Only one option here really...
Magic trees
Ooo! They sparkle! And so do their logs! Maybe not in your inventory, but if you drop them, they SPARKLE!! You know, I was hypnotized by the sparkly things when going for my cape, did I ever me- HOLD ON. *deep breath* Okay then. Back to the guide!
Several spots for this awesome tree, and, lucky for you, I'm listing *drum roll* 2 spots worthy of your time!
Spot number 1!
The Tree Gnome Stronghold! (Again!) Remember those yews? Saw those mages? Yes those Magics. And in case you didn't see the bank icon on your minimap, I'll do you a favour and tell you- There's a bank near you.
Spot number 2!
Lletya! My personal favourite. Dire wolves keep newbs away, the quest requirement(s) keep would be woodcutters away too! You have so little competition here it's not even funny. Also, the elves are a nice distraction to kill... Did I mention there's a mini-obelisk here as well?
Wow, great guide, if you read all the way to the bottom, congratulations! Well what are you waiting for? Getting cutting!
Thanks again Aratorn777, we are avidly awaiting more guides!
