What are the best strategies for farming wood in the Meadows biome?

Farming wood in the Meadows biome is one of the most essential early-game activities in Valheim. Wood is a critical resource for building structures, crafting tools, and fueling fires. The Meadows biome is the safest starting area, making it ideal for gathering wood efficiently. To maximize your wood farming, you need to understand the game mechanics, tools, and strategies that make the process faster and more sustainable.\n\nFirst, equip yourself with the right tools. The Flint Axe is the earliest tool you can craft for chopping down trees, and it requires 4 Wood, 6 Flint, and 1 Leather Scraps. Flint can be found along riverbanks or shorelines in the Meadows biome, while Leather Scraps are obtained by hunting Boars. Once you have the Flint Axe, you can start chopping down trees. However, upgrading to a Bronze Axe later will significantly increase your efficiency, as it chops trees faster and requires fewer hits.\n\nWhen chopping trees, aim for the base of the trunk. Each tree takes several hits to fell, and once it falls, it will drop wood and sometimes seeds. Be cautious of falling trees, as they can damage or kill you if you stand in their path. Trees also have a physics-based system, meaning they can knock over other trees if they fall in the right direction. Use this to your advantage by positioning yourself so that falling trees take down multiple others, saving time and effort.\n\nOne of the most effective strategies for farming wood is to create a tree farm. After chopping down trees, collect the seeds they drop. These seeds can be replanted in a designated area near your base. Planting trees in rows with enough space between them ensures they grow properly and can be easily harvested later. This method provides a renewable source of wood, reducing the need to venture far from your base.\n\nAnother tip is to use the Stagbreaker, a two-handed hammer, to clear small trees and saplings quickly. While it’s not as efficient as an axe for large trees, it can save time when clearing dense areas. Additionally, using a Cart to transport large amounts of wood back to your base is highly recommended. Carts can carry up to 18 slots of items, making them invaluable for bulk resource gathering.\n\nFor experienced players, consider using the Elder power, obtained by defeating the Elder boss. This power increases your woodcutting speed by 60%, making it a game-changer for large-scale wood farming. Pair this with a fully upgraded Bronze Axe or Iron Axe for maximum efficiency.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for potential threats. While the Meadows biome is relatively safe, Greylings and Greydwarfs may attack you while you’re chopping wood. Keep a weapon handy and stay alert. If you’re farming at night, consider building a small shelter or campfire nearby to avoid freezing and to regain stamina quickly.\n\nIn summary, farming wood in the Meadows biome requires the right tools, strategic planning, and an understanding of game mechanics. Use a Flint Axe or Bronze Axe, create a tree farm for sustainability, and leverage physics to fell multiple trees at once. Transport wood efficiently with a Cart, and always stay prepared for minor threats. With these strategies, you’ll have a steady supply of wood to fuel your Viking adventures.