Asked on Oct 18, 2016

What can I do with some of this wood?

PruBelle
by PruBelle
Our neighbor had a large tree cut down and did want to pay to have the wood hauled away. They have zero tools and we have limited tools. None of us want to chop it into firewood. But I'd like to do something for the backyard. My skills are limited and those things are heavy. We'll roll them over to our yard. Stools? Part of a bench? Risers for a planter? I wanted to use a couple of them for something before they rot. I saw someone else's post about a cute side table, but it was indoors. We don't need any kind of furniture inside the house, too much already. Hence, something for the yard or garden.
  40 answers
  • Mary Weaver-Davis Mary Weaver-Davis on Oct 19, 2016
    Excellent question as I also have tree stumps and I need ideas also. I can also get fat redwood stumps periodically. I live in the SanFran Bay Area so I would imagine the wood would never completely dry out.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 19, 2016
      Keep me posted on what you do. I got a great idea from 2 other people - stepping "stones". But I need to figure out how to get discs out of them (they are about knee high in height). I love a natural look, so having wooden stepping discs instead of those pre-formed cement stones would be awesome!
  • Jakes Du Preez Jakes Du Preez on Oct 19, 2016
    vanish the wood, dug a bit off a staircase or a path (in the sand) and just sink it...
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    • Loretta Loretta on Apr 23, 2017

      PruBelle, just use a chainsaw and slice discs out of them for your stepping stones . Won't matter if they are perfectly flat since you can just adjust the dirt to make them even. Sooo wish I had a home and space, I live in an apt :(((

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    • Loretta Loretta on Apr 23, 2017

      OMG!!!! I mean Wow wow wow!!! That staircase!! OMG, that CHANDELIER!!!!!! I am truly impressed, beyond that!!! Stunning.

  • Sandra. Jackson Sandra. Jackson on Oct 19, 2016
    You could stand them up and make a pattern of stepping logs that way it doesn't matter if one is higher then the next, I did this and what an amazing sight , everyone loved it
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 19, 2016
      Did you do it as a border for a garden or something like that? Or did you literally walk on them. I wonder how hard it would be to saw them in half or quarters, so I can get smaller pieces. Oooh you just gave me a great idea -- discs, like stepping stones would be so cool! But it might be impossible to get discs out of them using a hand saw. I wonder what would be involved to make discs out of them.
  • Marie Caruana Marie Caruana on Oct 19, 2016
    Take a look at the website Janet Pizaro sent you. Some unique and gorgeous ideas. Once again, thanks Janet.
  • Sandra. Jackson Sandra. Jackson on Oct 19, 2016
    You could have them anyway, make it in the middle of the grass to make them look like a feature., I also had some really large ones that I put on top of gravel with grasses and they look good,
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 19, 2016
      Thank You Sandra. Jackson Tee hee, I should have posted a photo of my own yard (which is grassless). Hard red clay with a bunch of roots leftover over from our own cut down trees. No grass anywhere, pretty pathetic. But now that we cut down our own trees, maybe we can grow some grass. A whole nother story, ugh.
  • Barbara C Barbara C on Oct 19, 2016
    Use the biggest ones for side tables on the Patio or yard.
  • Lok12371318 Lok12371318 on Oct 19, 2016
    You can make planters out of them. All kinds of videos on YouTube. Some easier than others. Or just simply place a planter on-top of a log to give some height to your garden. I like to make birdhouses out of them for my gardens. Only made one thus far but it gave me some great ideas to make more whimsical and different types when I have more logs to work with. Pic below was my first stump birdhouse garden decoration. Through it together quickly, so not very good. But gave me all kinds of ideas. Just need some stumps that are not rotting. lol
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    • Lok12371318 Lok12371318 on Oct 20, 2016
      Thank you. Hope you do have fun and make some great things. Please post pics. I love making things and trying to come up with different ideas. Here's a link w/some different ideas.... https://www.google.com/search?q=log+art&tbm=i... Enjoy! and don't forget to post pics! Have a great day! :D
  • Sandra Allen Sandra Allen on Oct 19, 2016
    If your goal is to get rid of them but not make something, check with your local energy assistance program. They give out firewood to people who live off the grid and that much wood would keep them warm for a while. Just a thought. I used to work for them in Salem OR and we gave away 16 tons in one season...all donated. Hope that helps
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    • Sandra Allen Sandra Allen on Oct 20, 2016
      You might find a Korean to English translation website and type in what you want to say and it will translate it for you to print. It's nice that you are trying to help them.
  • Connie Broussard Richard Connie Broussard Richard on Oct 19, 2016
    After many tears we had to have our tree cut down in the front yard, as a surprise my hubby had them put a big piece on our patio and we use it as a table.
  • Loretta Loretta on Oct 19, 2016
    You could use them as the base ends for benches, but would need them to,be even. I know Home Depot will cut wood for like .50 a cut, wonder of that applies to wood like this? Then you could have them cut smooth and be of equal lengths.
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    • Alice Elaine Lord Alice Elaine Lord on Apr 23, 2017

      I saw where they were used as the ends of four benches around a fire pit. It was very rustic.

  • Audrey Trubshaw Audrey Trubshaw on Oct 19, 2016
    Check with your local senior center. Some provide fire wood free and would be happy to come get it.
  • Con8790511 Con8790511 on Oct 19, 2016
    If you can get a neighbor to cut the tree in slices, you can make small side tables with the slices about 20" long. Just buy some sandpaper and smooth the top, spray the whole piece of log, top, bottom and sides, with FlexSeal waterproofing spray and you have a table. If you have some legs that screw in (go to big box store) you can cut slices about 2-3" thick and attach the legs, spray it all and voila, there you go.
  • Nancy Gonzalez Nancy Gonzalez on Oct 19, 2016
    Bury an interesting looking log ,cut side up at the end of flower bed to act as a hose guide ... it has a natural look and you can put a cute frog or potted plant on top. bury halfway so hose doesnt pull it out .
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 19, 2016
    I would simply stack it nicely and leave it be as a natural sculpture to your landscape, it looks rather charming as is. The wood does not look like a good enough size or quality to make nice lasting furniture out of. If you want to get rid of it, put it at the curb or put it on Craig's List and it will be picked up in a day.
  • Lonnie Lonnie on Oct 19, 2016
    Hi there. If you type in "decorative pilings" under images in the search engine, a whole lotza bunches of ideas for you will pop up. Keep in mind the bark can stay on the wood since it's for your yard.
  • Wayne devitt Wayne devitt on Oct 19, 2016
    Give the log to the local wood turning group
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 19, 2016
      Thank You Wayne devitt Hmmm, I am a beginner, so I don't know if any group like that in our little town. But I will research "wood turning group". I would have never thought of that. Thank you for that suggestion.
  • Bev4678494 Bev4678494 on Oct 19, 2016
    I would cut into slices and make a patio area!
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    • Loretta Loretta on Apr 23, 2017

      Chainsaw :)) go lumber Jane!!

  • DORLIS DORLIS on Oct 19, 2016
    If large enough, set it upright and place large flower pots on it.
  • Cwh6899259 Cwh6899259 on Oct 19, 2016
    Whatever the side table you saw made for inside could also be used outside.
  • Lee McAlister Lee McAlister on Oct 19, 2016
    You can hollow out the middle bout halfway down and make planters. Screw an old trashcan lid to a larger one and you have a birdbath or bird feeder. Place a sundial on the tallest one. They make great outdoor side tables. Tie them together in a bundle of three with several wraps of rope and they'll look like a pier piling, very nautical. Great for potted plants, candles, etc. Stand several up in a circle for a whole flower bed. Match up some of the same length, bind together with rope and place a cushion on top. Rustic lawn chair. Still thinking. I'll write again.
  • Lee McAlister Lee McAlister on Oct 19, 2016
    If there's a sawmill or lumber yard in your area, they can cut them into disks for you. You could also rent a chain saw.
  • IFortuna IFortuna on Oct 19, 2016
    I would get one of those outdoor fire pits or fireplaces. They are very inexpensive now. I have seen them at Home Depot for $49 and up. Many Chimenea are cute but very heavy to move. Not prone to be knocked over so that is a plus if they are heavy. === Also, depending what you set the wood on, it will probably rot like all untreated wood does so some type of base would be good. Best of luck. : )
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 19, 2016
      Thank You IFortuna Interesting! I hadn't thought of that. That might be do-able. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to me.
  • Srdc Srdc on Oct 19, 2016
    dig down about 4" and lay the pieces of wood end to end to make a border around a flower bed or tree... OR..dig deeper and stand vertical to make a border. When the wood decays, it will be enhancing your soil so it's a WIN-WIN... Or build a mound, cover with good garden dirt, and let them decay naturally under a current flower bed, or a future garden spot. Nature should never be wasted.
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    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 19, 2016
      Thank You Srdc Ooooh, I so agree with your philosophy. Nature should never be wasted. I need to figure out how to dig into my red clay packed backyard. I neglected to state I have no grass or nice soil. Totally packed red clay, like cement, bad shape! But I'm going to turn it around. Next year maybe I will post a before and after.
  • Bernadette Staal Bernadette Staal on Oct 19, 2016
    I think the answer is in the statement that you need to do something before they rot. They will rot and any effort you make will be very short lived. My suggestion is that you do a kind thing and ask a local organisation that helps the less fortunate if they would like to come and collect the wood (as is / where is) and donate it to a worthy family. There are many families that could use this wood to get them through a cold spell. Isn't that better than just letting something you don't know what to do with rot away.
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    • UpState UpState on Dec 13, 2016

      Talk to them by using the Google Translate function....

  • Maria Occttaviani-Rivera Maria Occttaviani-Rivera on Oct 20, 2016
    I WOULD MAKE OUTDOOR SIDE TABLES OUT OF THEM . TAKE 4-6 LOGS OF EQUAL LENGH AND GLUE/BIND THEM TOGETHER. YOU CAN THEN POLY-COAT THEM FOR THE OUT DOORS. THEN PLACE A GLASS OR PLASTIC TOP ON THEM . RUSTIC TABLES FOR THE YARD! DRAW A PICTURE OR FIND ONE ONLINE TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO!
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 20, 2016
      Thank You Maria Occttaviani-Rivera That is a cool idea. I love rustic! I appreciate that!
  • Helen Helen on Oct 21, 2016
    If you know the kind of tree it was you may be able to get someone who sells wood and get them to take it.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Oct 22, 2016
      Thank You Helen I should know what kind of tree it was, I looked at it for years over our fence.
  • Bethr1 Bethr1 on Oct 23, 2016
    There are several really cool rustic type benches on Pinterest. Check 'em out..
  • Mary Weaver-Davis Mary Weaver-Davis on Nov 01, 2016
    I've seen those before. My hubby just brought home a few more....haha. How do you keep them from getting yucky from dew etc? Was thinking of mosaic tiles for end tables
  • Mary Weaver-Davis Mary Weaver-Davis on Nov 01, 2016
    And. ..I just drove past the place that puts them out and there are a few huge ones. If I can get husband to load one. ...I'd do a sitting area and tile the big one or some kind of water feature
  • Stephen Scott Johnson Stephen Scott Johnson on Nov 21, 2016
    With Christmas coming up, you could convert a few into reindeer. Look on Pinterest for ideas, but I have done this my self. Just need a hand drill and saw. Maybe some wood glue.
  • Geeswonderland Geeswonderland on Mar 08, 2017

    Home depot among other places have tool rentals you'll just have to look since not sure where you're at and what stores are available in your area, if you're deciding to rent tools.. ideas: drill out the center plant flowers like morning glories or some other flowers that web out like them or even regular flowers/plants. Or browse 'projects for logs' and look at images they have lotsa things you could do..hope you post pics of whatever you decide to do!!

  • Geeswonderland Geeswonderland on Mar 08, 2017

    Apologies for late reply!!

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Mar 08, 2017

    It seems as though you have answered your own question,lol, so go with your gut I like all of your ideas.

  • Judy Judy on Mar 08, 2017

    I have seen some incredibly beautiful flower planters made from chopped tree. Rustic looking.

  • Loretta Loretta on Apr 23, 2017

    i have seen the posts where people use the stumps, they soak them in a bleach water so,ution and let them dry out. I agree that you should them do some varnishing or some sort of wood treatment so they won't rot, but after your cuts and then bleaching. How i would do it anyway. PLEASE SEND UPDATED POSTS, NO ONE DOES ANYMORE,,

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 23, 2017

    Your welcome

  • Karen Karen on Apr 23, 2017

    I saw a really cute train made of wood chunks. It made a darling yard decoration.

  • Cat9637905 Cat9637905 on Apr 24, 2017

    Tree stumps are Artist Goldmine. If still in ground choices range from Table base, taller can be Totem Pole. If big , treehouse post. Dream On, like Fish On. It's all Fun.