Splitting Smarter Not Harder with Wood-Mizer

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane, in the suburb of Capalaba, the Flanagan family is doing what they do best—working hard, working together, and working with timber. What began 25 years ago with a station wagon and a trailer is now Trees Palms & Stumps Tree Services, otherwise known as TPS Tree Services—a tree removal and firewood business run by Steve and Vicki Flanagan and their children. And at the center of their thriving firewood business is a bright orange machine that’s turning back-breaking work into an efficient, profitable production: the Wood-Mizer FS500 firewood processor.  

The Flanagan’s journey didn’t start in Australia—or even with trees. Originally dairy farmers in New Zealand, Steve and Vicki made the leap to Australia after visiting Steve’s cousin, who ran a tree business. The opportunity to start fresh and the desire to raise their four children near Vicki’s family convinced them to trade cows for timber. “When we started, it was just us, a station wagon, and a trailer,” Steve remembers. “Now we’ve got a crew of six, our son runs the tree-lopping side, and I handle quoting maintenance, and the behind-the-scenes work.” About three years ago, Vicki and their daughter Karen saw an opportunity to extend the family business—firewood. After years of watching trees come down, they realized the hardwood they were removing had serious value. “There was a real gap in the market,” Karen says. “Much of the firewood around here comes from the west, so we knew we could offer a more affordable, local product.”  

Their firewood business started small with a basic splitter, but they quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the manual labor required—especially with Queensland's dense eucalyptus wood. That’s when Steve started researching machines online, and one name kept coming up: Wood-Mizer. “It was the only machine that could handle the hardwood and do the job simply, without us having to double or triple handle the timber,” Steve explains. “We’ve got about 300 hours on it now, and it’s held up with no problems.” With its bi-directional splitting and 42-ton splitting force, the FS500 firewood processor has transformed the way TPS does business. Instead of struggling to lift heavy logs or re-handle split wood into crates, the machine does it all in one streamlined process. From the machine’s convenient positioning of the log lift to its ability to drop timber directly into the crates, the FS500 has been a game changer—not just for their workflow, but also for their bodies. Steve appreciates that his family can operate the machine without manual labor. “The lifting and rolling used to be so tough,” Vicki says. “Now, I just sort the wood as it comes through, and Karen runs the machine.” The Flanagan’s enjoy working together, but it doesn’t come without some challenges and disagreements, Karen and Vicki both agreed that their Wood-Mizer saves them both hours and arguments.   

With just a few hours of splitting each week, the Flanagan’s process enough wood to meet the demands of the short but intense firewood season in Australia. Their wood is stacked in stillage crates on their property, making sure that they can completely dry before being sold for fireplaces, pizza ovens, or camping trips. And while they expected the firewood to sell, it was the off-cuts—the smaller splinters and shavings from the FS500—that caught them off guard. They thought the off-cuts would be a waste, but they put out a few bags for kindling and ended up sold out in the first year.  

Customers drive up to the family property, greet the chickens, grab a bag or bulk crate, and drop their payment in the honor box. “We’ve never had a problem, people appreciate local, affordable wood,” Vicki says. The Flanagan’s have a deep appreciation for the family business, as it has brought a new sense of communication, determination, and authenticity within their home. Vicki is expectant that the business will continue to grow as long as they have the efficiencies and capabilities of their Wood-Mizer. And with family being the engine behind it all—keeping machines running, managing logistics, and ensuring that even after cyclones or fire bans, Trees Palms & Stumps can continue to serve their community.   

As for the future? The Flanagan’s aren’t rushing anything. “We are just going to keep steadily growing, keep staying healthy, and keep the machine humming,” Steve says. “The machine is going to outlast us.” From a humble backyard setup to a trusted, community-first operation, TPS Tree Services is proof that with hard work, strong roots, and the right tools—like the Wood-Mizer FS500—anything can grow into something extraordinary.