Anno 117 Woodcutter | Build Woodcutter Guide
© gamerblurb.com | Published on 11/13/2025 at 12:30 AM CST (USA)
Getting your first timber supply running feels confusing at first, so here is a clean breakdown that makes the whole thing simple.
How to build a Woodcutter in Anno 117
To place your first Woodcutter, you open the building list tied directly to your timber stock. Click the timber icon in the top bar and the construction menu for early economy buildings appears. Choose the Woodcutter and place it anywhere with enough free space.
The Woodcutter works best when its work radius has plenty of trees. It does not need perfect coverage, but more trees means faster timber production. You can rotate the building before placing it if you want cleaner layouts.
How to build the Sawmill after that
Once the Woodcutter is running, the Sawmill unlocks early in the tutorial. You open the same timber menu again and select the Sawmill. Place it near a Warehouse so carts travel quickly.
The Sawmill turns logs into usable timber, so you want it working nonstop. If production slows down, add a second Woodcutter instead of spreading your first one too thin.
How tree growth actually works
Tree growth depends on your progress. Woodcutters do not plant new trees by default. Their work radius will not fill itself unless you unlock reforestation through researching GB-Proxy later in the campaign.
That means your first Woodcutter must sit near an actual forest. If you drop one into a mostly empty field, it will chop the few trees that exist and then stall out. Once you unlock the forestry upgrade, the circle begins to refill over time as long as you do not build inside the radius.
Simple placement tips for smoother timber flow
Starting layout ideas
Timber is your first bottleneck, so getting a clean setup early helps a ton.
Place the Woodcutter with most of its radius covering trees
Keep the Sawmill close to a Warehouse to cut travel time
Avoid placing buildings inside the Woodcutter circle or tree regrowth will stop
Add a second Woodcutter before adding a second Sawmill
Always use the Jester to boost morale of your meon
Move buildings later if your early layout gets messy
These small steps keep your first island moving fast, especially during early missions.
Final Blurb
Timber is the backbone of your early city, so getting a Woodcutter and Sawmill down fast keeps your whole run smooth. Place them smartly, keep them supplied, and unlock reforestation later to remove the pressure. Once you get the rhythm, your early build order gets way easier.
FAQ
Do Woodcutters plant trees on their own
Not until you unlock the research upgrade for reforestation.
Can I place a Woodcutter anywhere
Yes, but it only works well in areas with trees until reforestation is unlocked.
What happens if I build in the Woodcutter circle
Tree growth stops and production slows down.
Do I need more than one Woodcutter
Yes, you often need two early on to keep a single Sawmill running full time.
© 2025 gamerblurb.com | Linking is welcome with credit to GamerBlurb.com. Copying or reproduction without permission is prohibited.
More Anno 117: Pax Romana
