By John Howell
After Earl Burdette delivered a big load of firewood to the Gracie Cove home of Pearl Carr in Batesville on Wednesday, his backlog of the available heating fuel was about gone.

November’s cold temperatures have quickly depleted his stockpile.

Burdette, who cuts and delivers firewood through his Senior Citizens Relief Fund, is looking for people who have fallen hardwood suitable for cutting into firewood to help meet the growing number of requests.

“The demand is great this year,” he said. “I’ve had more people calling this year, and wood prices are higher.”

Carr, age 90, said that during two cold snaps she had burned most of the initial stockpile of firewood that she had purchased for $200. The nonagenarian has spent most of her life in Batesville, she said as she recalled with a sharp memory old friends and acquaintances from years past.

Burdette is looking for fallen oak, hickory, pecan or other hardwood suitable for cutting up for firewood. Sweet gum and evergreens are not suitable, he said.

Contact Burdette at 662-519-1290 to have wood cut and removed. He is seeking wood within a 20-mile radius of Batesville that is reasonably accessible from a vehicle, he said.

Burdette said that two Panola County businesses that want to remain anonymous have already supplied him with chain saws, replacement chains, oil and fuel, saving him an estimated $500, he said. Burdette said that he also appreciated support provided by Representative Lataisha Jackson and Como businessman James May.

T.C.’s Tree Service and 3T Tree Service often calls him when they are cutting trees for customers to let him cut the felled limbs and trunks for firewood, Burdette said.