How to get my people to use Charcoal?

[TM2 Bashar]

Hey all, I am new and have some newbie questions. I got this game because it looked like an updated version of them game Banished. The game looks beautiful, and I really like how you build housing plats instead of houses.
All that being said, I do need some help; the title question can go first. Wood choppers chop timber to make 1 fire wood, the charcoal makers take one fire wood and make 2 charcoal. So, charcoal is twice as good as firewood. I have two wood choppers and 2 charcoal makers, both right next to each other. And yet, most of my villagers are using firewood? How do I get the people to stop using firewood so that it can be converted into charcoal?
Second question, developing new technology; is there a way to speed it up? I need to make helmets for my troops but can't because I wanted bees. I would like to grow apples but I can't because I have an ox plowing my fields. I am collecting beeswax, but can't make candles. Its just that not only does tech advance feel slow, it also feels arbitrary? Like, a lot of the things that are technologies shouldn't be. (growing apples is a tech? why?)
I have some other minor complaints (Why can't I make cider?) and I am sure I will have more questions about mechanics. Overall, loving the game. Thank you in advance.

[9erRed]

Greetings,

First Disable the wood cutters from opening a market stall.
- Then allow the charcoal to have a stall, But most times the storehouse will collect the charcoal and open the stall.

The Development tree is still rudimentary, it's being worked on right now.
- There was a new hire at the studio just for this element in the game.
- So, we can look forward to more items, branch's between different sections and changes in how we get these points.

Some may appear as different resources are gathered?
Some points could be produced as certain trades are built?

Currently the Development tree is built as the population and village size increases.
- This could change and additional development points come with specific elements being constructed or new trades started.
- Policies may also effect these points and possibly even diplomatic changes may see a point or two added?

So many ways to increase the Development points restriction we have now.