How to Sell Driftwood for Cash: Pricing, Prep & Where to List (2025)

Is Selling Driftwood Actually Worth It? (Honest Answer)

Short answer: yes, but only in the right situation.

Selling driftwood is not a get-rich-quick idea.

For most people, it works best as a small side hustle, not a main income.

Finding free materials is the key to high profit. It’s just like knowing where to get free pallets for woodworking projects; if you get the material for $0, everything else is pure profit.

How Much Money Can You Really Make?

Here’s what most sellers realistically earn:

• Low end: $20–$50 a month (selling small pieces locally once in a while)
• Medium: $100–$300 a month (regular collecting plus Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or local shops)
• Best case: $500+ a month (unique pieces, strong local demand, or niche buyers like aquariums or home decor)

Most people land in the low to medium range. If you see listings asking high prices, remember: asking price does not mean it actually sells for that amount.

How Much Work Is Involved?

This is not free money. There is real effort involved:

• Collecting driftwood from beaches, rivers, or lakes
• Cleaning dirt, bugs, and loose bark
• Drying and storing pieces (this takes space)
• Taking photos, replying to messages, and meeting buyers or shipping

The work is light, but it is hands-on.

Who Selling Driftwood Is Good For

• You live near a beach, river, or lake
• You already enjoy being outdoors
• You prefer selling locally
• You are okay earning extra cash, not full-time income

Who Should Skip It

• You expect fast or big money
• You do not have storage space
• Shipping costs would kill your profit
• Collecting driftwood is illegal where you live

Bottom line: If you want a low-stress side hustle and enjoy the hunt, selling driftwood can be worth it. If you are looking for serious income, treat this as fun money, not a business.

How Do I Start Selling Driftwood: Quick Guide goes here

 

Is it Illegal to Take Driftwood?

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is thinking driftwood is “free for the taking” everywhere.

The reality is that driftwood laws vary wildly depending on whether you are on a public beach, a state park, or private riverfront.

To keep your business legal and sustainable, stick to these three Golden Rules of ethical harvesting.

Public vs. Protected Land: Where to Forage

Not all shorelines are the same. Before you fill your trunk, identify the type of land you are standing on:

• Ocean Beaches (Generally Safe): On many public ocean beaches, you are allowed to collect driftwood for personal use (non-commercial). However, you must carry it by hand—no vehicles on the sand.
• National Parks & Marine Sanctuaries (ILLEGAL): Taking anything natural (even a small stick) from a National Park or Wildlife Refuge is a federal offense. Never collect here.
• State Parks (Check First): Rules change by state. Some allow “recreational collection” of up to 50 lbs a day, while others ban it completely. Search “driftwood collection rules [Your State]” to verify.

The Private Property Rule

If a river or lake shoreline touches private land, the driftwood sitting there belongs to the landowner.

This is common along riverbanks.

Always ask permission. Many property owners are happy to let you clear debris from their beach, but taking it without asking is technically theft.

Ethical “Best Practices” for Collecting

Even where collecting is legal, follow these guidelines to avoid fines and protect the ecosystem:

• Hands Only: Do not use chainsaws, winches, or digging tools. If you can’t lift it, leave it.
• Check for Life: Don’t take wood with plants growing on it or active insect colonies.
• Don’t Strip the Beach: Driftwood provides erosion control. Take only a few select pieces; do not clear-cut an area.

Pro Tip: If you are not sure, ask a park ranger. A five-minute conversation can save you from a steep fine and help protect the environment you love.

Who Buys Driftwood?

To make real money, you shouldn’t just sell “driftwood”, you should sell solutions to specific hobbyists.

Different buyers have different “pain points,” and knowing what they are allows you to charge premium prices.

1. Aquascapers & Planted Tank Enthusiasts

This is the high-end “hardscape” market.

These hobbyists are looking for centerpiece wood that mimics nature underwater.

• What They Want: Interesting shapes, “spiderwood” with multiple branches, and pieces that sink easily. They avoid softwood that decays quickly in water.
• Where to Find Them: Etsy, eBay, Facebook aquarium groups, and forums like PlantedTank.net. These buyers pay the highest prices per pound.
• Keywords to Use in Your Listings: Hardscape, Aquascape, Iwagumi style, Shrimp-safe and Natural tannins.

2. Reptile, Vivarium & Terrarium Owners

Reptile owners need driftwood that is sturdy enough for basking but interesting enough for a tropical or desert display.

• What They Want: Horizontal “basking logs” for bearded dragons and vertical “climbing branches” for geckos or snakes.
• Where to Find Them: Local reptile stores, reptile expos, and Facebook Marketplace. Specialty terrarium forums are also a good spot.
• Keywords to Use in Your Listings: Basking branch, Reptile enclosure decor, Bio-active setup, Vivarium wood.

3. Coastal Decorators & DIY Crafters

This market cares less about “species” and more about “vibe.”

They want the aesthetic of a weathered, sun-bleached branch found on a high-end coastal shore.

• What They Want: Clean, sanded, sun-bleached, or smooth pieces with character (unique curves and weathered textures perfect for macrame, wall art, table centerpieces, and coastal home décor.). Sometimes they combine it with free furniture to make rustic home decor pieces.
• Where to Find Them: Etsy as “supplies,” craft fairs, boutique consignment shops, and Instagram décor accounts.
• Keywords to Use in Your Listings: Coastal wall art, Macrame drift wood, Beach house decor, Centerpiece logs.

4. Landscape Designers & Commercial Florists

This is your “bulk” and “large-scale” buyer group.

They often need massive focal points for gardens or unique floral displays.

• What They Want: Massive stumps (up to 4-5 feet) and heavy-weight pieces that can withstand wind and rain in a garden setting.
• Where to Find Them: Direct B2B sales to garden centers, floral shops, furniture makers, and local landscapers.
• Top Keywords for Listings: Garden hardscape, Xeriscaping focal point, Large floral display wood.

By knowing which of these four groups your driftwood appeals to, you can create a listing title that grabs attention, like “Reptile Climbing Branch” for terrarium owners versus “Decorative Driftwood Log” for crafters or home decorators.

2025 Price Guide: Real Driftwood Sold Prices

Curious about real numbers?

Below are recent sold listings from the major platforms.

As you can see, in very specific niches (like aquascaping) driftwood pieces sell for really high prices.

Item Description	Target Buyer	Sold Price	Platform
12″ Manzanita “Spider” Root (High Demand Hardscape)	Aquascapers	$35.00	Etsy
24″ Sandblasted Ghost Wood (Statement Piece)	Reptile Owners	$55.00	eBay
Bulk Box: 50 Small Pieces (3-5″) (Fillers/Macrame)	Crafters	$25.00	Etsy
4-Foot Weathered “Centerpiece” Log (Too large to ship)	Interior Design	$150.00	FB Marketplace
Medium “Hollow Log” Hide (Sanitized for Vivariums)	Reptile Hobbyist	$40.00	eBay
“Bonsai” Style Driftwood Tree (Rare Shape)	Aquascapers	$65.00	Etsy
Cholla Wood Skeleton (6 inch) (Shrimp Tank Essential)	Aquarium Store	$12.00	eBay
XXL Stump with Roots (The “Holy Grail” find)	Pro Aquascaper	$180.00+	Etsy

*Prices reflect current 2025 market trends including shipping costs.

Takeaway for Sellers

Notice a trend? Functional wood sells for more. A generic “pretty stick” might get you $10, but a “hollow log” (function: reptile hide) or “spider root” (function: aquarium center) sells for 3x the price. When listing your items, focus on what the buyer does with the wood, not just what it looks like.

How to Clean & Sanitize Driftwood

You can’t just grab a stick from the beach, put it in a box, and ship it.

Buyers (especially aquarium owners) pay a premium for wood that is “Tank Ready” and safe.

Selling dirty or pest-filled wood is the fastest way to get your shop shut down.

Here is the professional 4-step process to get your driftwood sale-ready.

Step 1: Physical Cleaning

Start by removing the debris.

Use a stiff wire brush and high-pressure hose to scrub away mud, sand, algae, and any soft, rotting sections.

Remove loose bark now, otherwise it will eventually fall off and make a mess in the buyer’s home.

Step 2: Sanitizing (Choose Your Method)

Depending on who your target buyer is, choose one of the following methods:

• Method A: Boiling (Best for Aquariums) Submerge the wood in boiling water for 1–2 hours. This is the “Gold Standard” because it kills bacteria without chemicals and releases tannins (the compounds that turn water brown). It also helps the wood sink fast.
• Method B: Baking (Best for Dry Decor) Great for killing deep-boring insects in reptile branches or wall art. Bake at 200°F (93°C) for 2–3 hours.
• Method C: Bleach Soak (Best for Large Bulk) Soak in a 5% bleach solution (1 cup bleach per gallon of water) for 24 hours. Rinse thoroughly and then soak in fresh water for another 48 hours. You must disclose this in your listing, as some shrimp-tank owners prefer chemical-free wood.

Step 3: The “Soak Test” (For High-End Pieces)

Before listing expensive aquarium wood, submerge it in clear water for 24 hours.

If the water turns dark tea-colored, the wood is still leaching tannins.

Pro Tip: You can still sell this! Just add a note to your listing: “Contains beneficial tannins, great for Blackwater setups.” 

Step 4: Curing & Drying (Crucial for Shipping)

Unless you baked the wood, it is likely waterlogged. You have to dry it completely before selling.

Put the wood in direct sun for 3–5 days (turn it daily).

The wood is ready when it is lightweight and makes a hollow “clink” sound when tapped against concrete.

Never ship damp wood, it will mold inside the shipping box. Not to mention it would weigh more so you have to pay more for shipping it!

Where to Sell Driftwood (Online & Locally)

If you want your driftwood to actually sell (and not just collect dust in your garage), you’ve got to list it where the buyers are.

Different buyers hang out in different spots, so where you post your wood matters just as much as the piece itself.

Here are the best places to sell, ranked from highest price-tag to fastest sale.

1. Etsy (Best for High Profits)

• Who is here: Interior designers, serious aquascapers, and people looking for “Pinterest-perfect” coastal decor.
• What sells best: Clean, unique, “artsy” pieces. Twists, arches, and smooth white branches.

You can basically sell anything cool on Etsy.

Buyers here are looking for a specific look, which means they are willing to pay top dollar, sometimes double what you’d get locally.

If your driftwood looks ready for a magazine cover, this is the place.

Tip: Use very specific tags. Don’t just use “driftwood.” Use “macrame branch,” “air plant holder,” or “nano tank hardscape.” For more tips on setting up your shop, check out our full guide on how to make money on Etsy.

2. eBay (Best for Bulk & Ugly Wood)

• Who is here: Hobbyists looking for a deal and people who need functional wood, not just pretty wood.
• What sells best: “Bulk lots,” bundles of straight sticks, and rough shapes.

If you find 50 regular sticks on the beach, don’t throw them back! eBay is perfect for “Driftwood Lots.”

Group them together and sell a “10lb Box of Craft Sticks.”

It’s an easy way to move volume without taking 50 individual photos. Auctions are also great here.

If you aren’t sure what a piece is worth, start the bidding at $0.99 and let the market decide.

3. Facebook Marketplace (Best for Huge Logs)

• Who is here: Local landscapers, neighbors decorating porches, and reptile owners who need massive logs.
• What sells best: Anything heavy, long (over 3 feet), or fragile.

Shipping kills profit on big items!

If you find a gorgeous 4-foot log, listing it online might cost $60 just to ship it across the country. That eats up all your money.

Facebook Marketplace solves this. You get cash in hand, the buyer picks it up, and you don’t have to worry about a cardboard box falling apart in the mail.

4. Local Fish & Reptile Stores (Best for Quick Cash)

• Who is here: Store owners who need inventory to resell.
• What sells best: Small to medium pieces that fit inside glass tanks (10–50 gallons).

A lot of local fish shops will buy driftwood directly from you to resell on their shelves.

They pay less than Etsy buyers (wholesale pricing), but it is instant money.

Bring a box of pre-cleaned, dried driftwood and ask if they buy or trade wholesale. Many local shops are happy to take them for resale or aquarium décor.

5. Local Boutiques & Consignment Shops (Best for “Art” Pieces)

• Who is here: Homeowners looking for ready-made decor and tourists buying souvenirs.
• What sells best: Perfectly cleaned, sun-bleached wood, often attached to bases or made into art (sculptures, candle holders).

Big chain stores like Michaels won’t talk to you, but independent “Main Street” boutiques love local artisans. This is the best option if you are cleaning your driftwood to museum quality.

How to Pitch Them:

• Wholesale: You sell it to the shop for $20, they sell it for $40. You get paid instantly.
• Consignment: The shop displays your wood for free, but they keep 30-40% of the profit only when it sells. This is great for getting expensive pieces in front of rich buyers without risk.

5. Niche Forums (Reddit & FB Groups)

Aquascaping and terrarium setups are huge hobbies People will pay top dollar for driftwood with character.

Pieces with lots of branches, twisting roots, or spider-like shapes are especially in demand.

Good places to list your driftwood include:

• Planted Tank Facebook Groups
• Reddit r/Aquascape
• Reddit r/PlantedTank
• Reddit r/Reptiles
• Aquarium and vivarium forums

These communities are full of experts who know exactly what “Spider Wood” or “Manzanita” is worth. If you have a “hero piece” that looks spectacular, show it off here first.

How to List Driftwood So It Actually Sells

Once your driftwood is cleaned, dried, and ready, the way you list it determines the price.

Online buyers can’t touch the wood, so your pictures do the selling for you.

To capture the attention of high-paying aquascapers, use this media checklist.

Media Checklist

1. The Hero Shot: A clean, well-lit photo of the entire piece on a plain white or neutral background. No clutter.
2. The Scale Shot: Buyers have “size blindness.” Always place a soda can, ruler, or quarter next to the wood so they instantly grasp the size.
3. The “Wet” Shot (Essential for Aquariums): If selling to fish tank owners, spray the wood with water before shooting. This reveals the “true” color it will have underwater.
4. The Texture Close-Up: Zoom in on the grain, knots, and weathered details.
5. All Angles: Show the back, bottom, and sides. Aquascapers need to see how it will balance.
6. The Use-Case Shot: Stage the piece inside an empty glass tank or on a shelf to spark imagination.
7. The 360° Video (2025 Requirement): Etsy and eBay favor listings with video. Take a 10-second video simply spinning the piece slowly. This builds trust and reduces returns.

Copy-Paste Listing Titles

Descriptive wins over clever.

Use these SEO-friendly templates to attract the right buyers:

• For Aquariums: “12-inch Manzanita Driftwood | Spiderwood Centerpiece | Sinks Fast | Sanitized Hardscape”
• For Home Decor: “Large 24-inch White Driftwood Branch | Natural Beach Decor | Macrame Hanger Supply”
• For Reptiles: “Sturdy Basking Log for Bearded Dragon | Sanitized Ghost Wood | Large Vivarium Climb”

Description Checklist

To minimize questions and returns, include these five facts in every description:

• Dimensions: Length x Width x Height.
• Weight: Vital for calculating shipping.
• Species: If known (e.g., Manzanita, Oak), state it. If not, write “Unknown Hardwood.”
• Prep Method: “Boiled and Leached” or “Sun Baked.” (Buyers love this transparency).
• Origin: “Hand-collected from freshwater source” or “Ethically sourced beach wood.”

Listing driftwood properly not only helps your pieces sell faster but also builds credibility with buyers, whether they’re aquascapers, crafters, reptile owners, or home décor enthusiasts.

How to Ship Driftwood Safely and Affordably

Shipping large, irregular organic items like driftwood is the trickiest part of selling.

Because driftwood is usually light but bulky, carriers charge based on dimensional weight (the box volume) rather than actual weight.

Proper packing is essential to prevent damage and keep costs manageable.

The “Burrito” Packing Method

To ship delicate branching or “spiderwood” pieces without a massive box:

• Wrap Tightly: Use the burrito method, wrap the driftwood in several layers of bubble wrap. For long, thin branches, cardboard shipping tubes work well.
• Reinforce Sharp Points: Cover any sharp ends with scrap cardboard inside the wrap to prevent punctures.
• Cut to Size: Reduce empty space in the box. Cutting corners or trimming excess packaging can save $5-$10 on postage.
• Shake Test: Fill voids with kraft paper or newspaper. If the wood shifts when you shake the box, add more padding.

The 2025 Surcharge “Cheat Sheet”

Carriers now charge extra fees based on Length, not just weight.

Keep your packages under these limits to avoid “surprise” fees at the post office.

• Safe Zone (Standard Price): Packages under 22 inches long.
• Danger Zone (+$4.00 Fee): Packages between 22″ and 30″ long.
• Profit Killer (+$15.00+ Fee): Packages over 30″ long or greater than 2 cubic feet.

If your driftwood is 23 inches long, consider trimming 1 inch off the end to save yourself the $4.00 surcharge!

3. Best Carriers (Cheapest Rates)

Never buy postage at the retail counter. You will pay 30-40% more. Instead, print your labels at home.

• For Small Wood (Under 18″): USPS Ground Advantage via Pirate Ship. It’s the cheapest option for items under 5 lbs.
• For Medium Boxes (Over 18″): UPS Ground. They often have better rates for “bulky” boxes than the postal service.
• For Huge Logs: Local Only (Facebook Marketplace). Once a package hits 3-4 feet long, shipping often exceeds $50. Unless the piece is worth $150+, keep it local.

By the w3ay, tools like Pirate Ship give you commercial pricing and significant savings.

Pro Tip: Protect Your Profit Margins

Use “Calculated Shipping” on Etsy and eBay to charge buyers the exact rate based on their zip code.

Offering free shipping for large driftwood can backfire, cross-country shipments can eat up your entire profit.

Always price your listings with shipping in mind to stay profitable.

Selling Driftwood in Bulk: Turning a Hobby into a Business

Selling individual pieces on Etsy is great for pocket money, but listing, photographing, and packing every single branch takes time.

If you have access to truckloads of driftwood, the real business model is wholesale.

Instead of chasing 100 different buyers, you find one store that buys 100 pieces at a time.

Who Buys Bulk Driftwood?

Target local businesses that need a constant supply of decor but don’t have time to go foraging themselves.

The best targets are:

• Independent Garden Centers: They use large logs for landscape displays and sell medium pieces for garden art.
• Aquarium & Pet Stores: They always need tank-ready wood.
• Wedding & Event Planners: They often need 20-30 matching “centerpiece” branches for a single event.
• Florists: High-end florists use smooth driftwood for structural arrangements.

Wholesale Pitch Template

These business owners are busy. Don’t call them, instead send a short, professional email with a photo attached.

Use this template:

Subject: Local supply of aquarium-grade driftwood for [Shop Name] Hi [Owner’s Name], My name is [Your Name], and I’m a local forager here in [Town]. I have a collection of pre-cleaned, [Hardwood Species] driftwood that would look great in your [aquascape/floral] inventory. I can supply boxes of 20–50 pieces at [Price per Box], delivered directly to your store. This is about 50% less than ordering online, and you don’t have to pay for shipping. I can drop off a sample box next Tuesday for you to check out. Let me know if you’re interested. Best, [Your Name]

Lower Price vs. Higher Volume

To make wholesale work, you have to accept lower prices per piece. A stick that sells for $20 on Etsy might only sell for $8 to a shop.

Why do it?

• Zero Fees: You save the 15% Etsy/eBay fees.
• Zero Shipping: You save the cost of boxes, tape, and postage.
• Zero Listing Time: You don’t have to photograph 50 items. You just fill a box and get paid.

If you treat this like a supply chain rather than an art project, you can turn a Saturday morning of collecting into a steady $500 monthly recurring revenue from just 2-3 local shops.

What Beginner Get Wrong About Selling Driftwood

On paper, selling driftwood sounds easy: pick it up, list it, get paid.

In reality, new sellers often quit after a month because they fall into these specific traps.

Here is how to avoid them.

Hoarding “Average” Wood

One of the hardest lessons to learn is that not every piece of driftwood is money.

Beginners tend to grab everything they see on the beach. Then they end up with a garage full of straight, boring sticks that nobody wants.

Buyers are scrolling quickly, they only stop for shapes that stand out, have unique character, or specific functions (like hollow caves).

Be picky. It is better to leave the beach with 3 amazing pieces than 50 average ones.

Underestimating the “Sweat Equity”

This is not “passive income.” The wood doesn’t clean itself.

Between scrubbing mud off roots, boiling large logs, photographing from every angle, and packing oddly shaped boxes, there is real physical work involved.

If you don’t enjoy the process of cleaning and crafting, this side hustle will feel like a chore very quickly.

The “Full-Time” Fantasy

If you are expecting this to replace your 9-to-5 job next month, you will be disappointed.

For most successful sellers, this is a “Slow Burn” side hustle.

It works best as a way to turn your nature walks into extra cash for groceries or gas, somewhere between $100–$500 a month.

Treat it as a fun bonus, not a high-stress startup, and you will actually enjoy it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Driftwood

Final Thoughts: Turn Your Beach Walk into Cash

The next time you’re walking along a beach, riverbank, or lake, take a closer look at the driftwood around you.

That weathered branch isn’t just trash, it could be a $40 reptile basking log or a $200 aquarium centerpiece.

You don’t need a warehouse or a huge collection to get started.

Start small, find one incredible piece, clean it using the steps above, take a clear photo, and list it.

Selling driftwood is a fun way to turn your morning walk into a little side hustle that pays for your morning coffee and maybe even more.