Let’s be honest—woodcutting isn’t going to make you rich overnight.
But if you want a chill, low-effort way to stack gold while doing something else, it’s one of the best AFK skills in the game.
So how do you make money on woodcutting RuneScape style?
The answer depends on your level, your patience, and how much attention you want to pay.
Let’s break it down.
The Best Money-Making Methods at a Glance
Here’s the quick version before we dive deeper:
| Level | Method | Profit per Hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15+ | Forestry Events | 100k–500k+ | Best overall profit, requires world hopping |
| 60+ | Yew Trees | ~150k | Slow but steady, very AFK |
| 75+ | Magic Trees | 120k–150k | Better XP than yews, similar profit |
| 90+ | Redwood Trees | 250k–500k+ | Ultra-AFK, prices fluctuate |
Now let’s get into the details.
Forestry Events: The Real Money Maker
If you’re serious about how do you make money on woodcutting RuneScape, Forestry is your best bet.
Added in 2023, Forestry events spawn randomly while you’re chopping trees.
Complete them, and you’ll earn Anima-Infused Bark—a tradeable resource worth solid GP.
The method is simple: chop trees, do the events when they pop up, collect bark.
With the Forestry Spawn Helper plugin on RuneLite, you can track which worlds are ready to spawn events.
Dedicated players report earning 1,800–2,500 bark per hour using this method.
That translates to several hundred thousand GP per hour at current prices.
You only need level 15 woodcutting and access to oak trees to get started.
As you earn bark, you can purchase upgrades like the Forestry Kit to boost your efficiency further.
Yew Trees: The Classic AFK Option
Yew trees have been a woodcutting staple since RuneScape’s early days.
You can start cutting them at level 60.
The best spots are north of Varrock Castle or inside the Woodcutting Guild.
Expect around 150k GP per hour depending on your level and competition.
The XP is slow—about 30k–35k per hour—so this is purely a money play.
Great for alt accounts or when you need something truly hands-off.
Magic Trees: Better XP, Similar Profit
At level 75, you unlock Magic trees.
They’re the most valuable standard logs in the game.
You can make around 120k–150k GP per hour cutting these bad boys.
The catch?
Magic trees are painfully slow—even at 99 woodcutting with a dragon axe.
You’ll get roughly 30–36k XP per hour, which is awful compared to other methods.
In 10 hours of testing, one player chopped 1,300 magic logs for about 140k GP per hour.
Not amazing, but it adds up over time.
If you grind magic trees from 75 to 99, you’ll bank around 47 million GP total.
Redwood Trees: The Ultimate AFK Method
Redwoods are the endgame for AFK woodcutters.
You need level 90 woodcutting and access to the Woodcutting Guild.
These massive trees have a 4-minute depletion timer, meaning you barely have to touch your keyboard.
Profit varies significantly based on current market prices—redwood logs have recently surged past 1,000 GP each.
At current rates, expect anywhere from 250k–500k+ GP per hour at higher levels.
One player testing this method earned about 62k GP in pure logs per hour when prices were lower, plus bird nests and occasional clue scrolls.
With a Log Basket from Forestry, you can hold 28 extra logs and reduce banking trips significantly.
Perfect for when you’re watching Netflix or working from home.
Use the Woodcutting Guild
Whatever method you choose, do it in the Woodcutting Guild if possible.
Located in Hosidius, it requires 60 woodcutting and 75% Hosidius favour to enter.
Inside, you get an invisible +7 level boost to woodcutting at all times.
This stacks with your dragon axe special attack for a total +10 boost.
Higher effective level means faster log collection and more GP per hour.
The guild also has a bank and 17 yew trees, 8 magic trees, and 2 redwood trees—less competition than public spots.
Tips to Maximize Your Profits
Get the Right Axe
Your axe matters more than you think.
The dragon axe is cheap and gives a +3 boost with its special attack.
If you can afford it, upgrade to a crystal axe for even faster chopping—just factor in the recharge costs.
Use a Log Basket
The Log Basket from Forestry holds 28 extra logs.
Fewer banking trips means more time chopping and more money in your pocket.
Chop with Others
When multiple players chop the same tree, everyone gets an invisible +1 boost per person, up to +10.
This makes you cut logs faster without any extra effort.
This bonus stacks with all other boosts, including the Woodcutting Guild’s +7 bonus.
Don’t Ignore Bird Nests
While cutting trees, you’ll occasionally get bird nests.
These contain seeds and can be sold for extra profit.
In the Woodcutting Guild, you can offer bird eggs to the shrine for prayer XP and more nests.
Is Woodcutting Worth It for Money?
Let’s be real.
Woodcutting won’t compete with bossing or high-level PvM for pure GP per hour.
But that’s not the point.
The real value is passive income.
You can chop trees while studying, working, or watching TV.
Try doing that at Vorkath.
So how do you make money on woodcutting RuneScape in a way that actually makes sense?
Pick the method that fits your playstyle.
If you want maximum profit with some effort, grind Forestry events.
If you want to completely zone out, park yourself at redwoods with a log basket.
Either way, the logs will stack up—and so will your bank.
Happy chopping.
