What is the best way to gather wood for crafting a workbench?

Gathering wood in Valheim is one of the most essential tasks for survival and progression, especially when crafting a workbench. The workbench is a foundational crafting station that allows you to build tools, weapons, and structures. To gather wood efficiently, you need to understand the game mechanics and the tools required. Wood can be obtained by chopping down trees, breaking branches, or picking up fallen logs. The most effective tool for this task is the stone axe, which is one of the first tools you can craft.\n\nTo craft a stone axe, you need 5 wood and 4 stone. Wood can initially be gathered by hand by breaking small branches or picking up fallen logs scattered around the Meadows biome, the starting area of the game. Once you have enough wood and stone, open your crafting menu (press Tab) and craft the stone axe. This tool significantly speeds up the process of gathering wood, as it allows you to chop down trees quickly.\n\nWhen chopping trees, aim for the base of the trunk. Each swing of the axe will damage the tree, and after a few hits, it will fall. Be cautious of the falling tree, as it can damage or kill you if you stand in its path. Once the tree falls, it will break into smaller logs and wood pieces that you can collect. Pine trees and oak trees in the Meadows biome are excellent sources of wood, as they yield a large amount of resources. Birch trees, while harder to chop down, also provide a good amount of wood.\n\nOne common challenge new players face is running out of stamina while chopping trees. Stamina is consumed with each swing of the axe, so it’s important to manage it wisely. To avoid running out of stamina, take breaks between swings or eat food that boosts stamina regeneration, such as raspberries or cooked meat. Additionally, chopping trees during the day is safer, as enemies like Greylings and Greydwarfs are less aggressive compared to nighttime.\n\nFor experienced players, upgrading to a bronze axe can further improve wood-gathering efficiency. However, this requires access to bronze, which is obtained by smelting copper and tin in a forge. Until then, the stone axe remains a reliable tool. Another tip is to use the environment to your advantage. For example, rolling logs or trees downhill can help you gather wood faster, as they break into smaller pieces upon impact.\n\nIn summary, the best way to gather wood for crafting a workbench is to start by collecting small branches and logs by hand, then craft a stone axe to chop down trees efficiently. Focus on the Meadows biome for easy access to resources, manage your stamina, and be mindful of falling trees. With these strategies, you’ll have enough wood to build your workbench and continue progressing in Valheim.