What is the fastest way to gather wood for building?

Gathering wood quickly in Valheim is essential for building your first shelter and progressing in the game. The fastest way to gather wood depends on your available tools, biome, and strategy. Early in the game, you start with no tools, but you can punch trees to collect wood. While this is slow, it’s a temporary solution until you craft a stone axe, which is the first tool you should prioritize.\n\nTo craft a stone axe, you need 5 wood and 4 stone. Wood can be gathered by punching small trees or picking up branches on the ground, while stone is found scattered across the Meadows biome. Once you have the stone axe, you can efficiently chop down trees. Focus on smaller trees like Beech or Birch, as they fall quickly and yield a good amount of wood. Larger trees like Pine or Oak take longer to chop but provide more wood and sometimes drop seeds for replanting.\n\nA key mechanic to speed up wood gathering is the tree-felling domino effect. When you chop down a tree, it can knock over nearby trees, saving you time and effort. Position yourself so that falling trees hit others, creating a chain reaction. This is especially effective in dense forests. Be cautious, though, as falling trees can damage or kill you if you’re not careful. Always keep an eye on the direction the tree is falling and move out of the way quickly.\n\nFor even faster wood gathering, upgrade to a bronze axe once you’ve progressed to the Black Forest biome. To craft a bronze axe, you need 4 wood, 8 bronze, and 2 leather scraps. Bronze is made by combining copper and tin at a forge, which requires smelting these ores in a smelter. While this takes more effort, the bronze axe chops trees significantly faster than the stone axe, making it worth the investment.\n\nAnother efficient method is using the Elder power, obtained by defeating the first boss, Eikthyr. This power reduces stamina usage for running and jumping, allowing you to gather wood for longer periods without resting. Combine this with a rested bonus (gained by sitting near a fire) to maximize your stamina efficiency.\n\nIf you’re in a biome with fewer trees, like the Plains or Mountains, consider bringing a portal to transport wood back to your base. Portals require 20 fine wood, 2 surtling cores, and 10 greydwarf eyes to craft. Fine wood is obtained from Birch or Oak trees, which are found in the Meadows or Black Forest. This setup allows you to gather wood in resource-rich areas and quickly return to your base without overburdening your inventory.\n\nFor experienced players, using a cart or longship to transport large amounts of wood is highly effective. Carts require 20 wood and 10 bronze nails, while longships require 40 fine wood, 10 deer hide, 100 iron nails, and 40 ancient bark. These tools are ideal for large-scale building projects or when gathering wood in bulk.\n\nFinally, replanting trees ensures a sustainable wood supply. Use seeds from Beech, Birch, or Pine trees to grow new trees near your base. This eliminates the need to travel far for wood and keeps your supply steady. By combining these strategies, you can gather wood quickly and efficiently, ensuring your building projects progress smoothly.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a backup axe in case your primary one breaks. Use the rested bonus and Eikthyr’s power to maximize stamina efficiency. Avoid chopping trees near your base unless you’re prepared to deal with falling logs. Finally, plan your wood-gathering trips to minimize travel time and maximize productivity.