Removing a large tree leaves behind significant wood debris, posing a challenge for homeowners. The best management strategy depends on the wood volume, tree species, and available processing resources. Rather than viewing the wood as waste, it can be treated as a valuable resource for repurposing or disposal. Finding the right solution requires planning and understanding the options for both on-site use and professional removal.
Preparing the Wood for Management
The initial step involves sorting the debris into distinct categories for efficient reuse or disposal. Separate logs and large branches from smaller brush, limbs, and leafy material. This organization streamlines subsequent steps, whether the wood is destined for firewood, chipping, or hauling.
Large logs must be cut into manageable, uniform lengths, typically 16 to 20 inches, which is the standard size for residential fireplaces and commercial wood chippers. Cutting the wood reduces the overall volume and makes it easier to handle, stack, or load for transport. Separating the wood by species is also beneficial, as different woods have varying burn temperatures and suitability for specialized uses like milling.
Before processing, evaluate the wood for decay, metal, or foreign objects. Embedded hardware can damage chainsaws and chippers. Heavily rotted wood is unsuitable for burning and should be directed toward composting or municipal yard waste. Sorting the material ensures safety and optimizes the wood for its final use.
Repurposing the Wood for Use
Repurposing the wood on-site offers cost savings and practical utility. The primary use for trunk and limb sections is as firewood for heating. Freshly cut wood, known as “green wood,” has a high moisture content (often over 50%) and must be seasoned to below 20% for efficient burning.
Seasoning Firewood
The seasoning process involves splitting the wood to expose more surface area, allowing moisture to release through evaporation. Logs should be stacked off the ground on a pallet or base. Cover only the top to prevent rain saturation, and position the stack to allow free air circulation. This storage, typically lasting six to twelve months, prevents smoldering, increases heat output, and minimizes creosote buildup in the chimney.
Smaller branches and brush can be turned into wood chips using a rented shredder or chipper. These chips are an excellent resource for creating mulch, which suppresses weeds, regulates soil temperature, and retains moisture in garden beds. As the chips decompose, they add beneficial organic matter to the soil.
Larger, attractive pieces of wood from certain species can also be repurposed into:
- Garden borders
- Rustic furniture
- Milled lumber (if the logs are straight and knot-free)
When wood volume is excessive, list the wood for free pickup on community boards or social media. This simple donation route allows others who need firewood or crafting materials to haul the material away.
Professional and Large-Scale Removal Options
Professional removal services are convenient for homeowners dealing with overwhelming wood volume or lacking equipment. Hauling services or junk removal companies can be hired to take away the material, typically charging based on debris volume. While straightforward, the cost can become substantial for large trees.
Renting a commercial-grade wood chipper processes large quantities of brush and limbs into chips for disposal or on-site use. These heavy-duty machines handle material homeowner-grade chippers cannot, but they require careful operation and adherence to safety protocols. The resulting wood chips must then be managed by spreading them on the property, composting, or arranging for final disposal.
Tree service companies often include debris removal in their initial cutting quote, but sometimes it is an added, optional cost. Clarify whether the quote covers “haul-away” or if the wood will be cut and left on the property. For smaller volumes, municipal waste collection programs may accept bundled branches, though they often have strict limits on diameter and total volume.
Legal and Safety Considerations
Adhering to local regulations and prioritizing personal safety are essential aspects of wood management.
Burning Regulations
Before burning, check local open burning ordinances, as many municipalities prohibit or restrict the burning of yard waste. Where permitted, burning is usually restricted to specific times, requires a permit, and must adhere to strict setback requirements from structures. Burning treated wood, such as lumber coated with paint or preservatives, is universally prohibited due to the release of toxic chemicals.
Invasive Pest Quarantines
The movement of wood that may harbor invasive pests is a serious legal consideration. Pests like the Emerald Ash Borer can be transported in firewood, leading to infestations in new areas. Many states enforce quarantines prohibiting the transport of untreated firewood beyond a short distance from where it was cut. Use wood locally, within a 50-mile radius, to prevent the accidental spread of these forest pests.
Safety must be paramount when cutting, splitting, or chipping wood. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is necessary.
- Safety glasses to guard against flying debris.
- Hearing protection for noisy equipment like chainsaws and chippers.
- Sturdy gloves.
- Snug-fitting clothes and cut-resistant chaps when operating machinery to prevent entanglement and injury.