At Marsh Tree Care Ltd., we know that felling a tree can feel like a big decision, especially when it’s one you’ve lived alongside for years. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to go to waste. A felled tree can still be useful in your home, garden, or local environment.
Whether you're aiming to reduce waste, save money, or create something meaningful, here are five great ways to make the most of a felled tree.
1. Turn It Into Firewood
One of the most traditional and still most useful ways to repurpose a tree is by converting it into firewood. Especially in rural or semi-rural homes, firewood can become a cost-saving heat source during cold seasons.
Why firewood works:
- Saves money on heating
- Provides a renewable fuel source
- Gives your felled tree a long-lasting purpose
Tip:
Allow the wood to season properly (dry out) for at least 6 to 12 months before burning. Fresh wood, or “green” wood, holds too much moisture and won’t burn efficiently.
At Marsh Tree Care Ltd., we’re happy to cut your tree into manageable firewood sections and leave them onsite for your use. We can also split and stack logs on request. Logs are regularly left for our clients to use, or we cut them into rings and split them for firewood as part of the service.
2. Create Garden Furniture or Art
That felled tree could be your next rustic garden bench or a handmade coffee table. With a bit of imagination and a skilled craftsman, you can turn logs and slabs into beautiful outdoor furniture or artistic garden features.
Project ideas include:
- Natural log benches or stools
- Outdoor tabletops and slabs
- Rustic signs or nameplates
This is especially appealing if the tree held sentimental value. Turning it into a piece you see every day can be a lovely tribute.
3. Use It for Mulch or Wood Chips
Wood chips make excellent mulch, helping your garden retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually enrich the soil. Chipping your felled tree is a sustainable way to ensure every part of it is put to good use.
Benefits of tree mulch:
- Conserves water during dry spells
- Improves soil structure over time
- Gives your garden a natural, polished finish
Much of our waste brash is chipped and reused. We regularly supply woodchips to farms, allotments, and schools, where they're used for pathways, mulching, or natural play areas. Any remaining material is sent for biomass, contributing to renewable energy production.
We can help you with this too - if you’d like woodchip for your own use, just let us know when we’re carrying out your tree work.
4. Make a Planter or Garden Feature
Let the tree live on as a centrepiece in your garden. Large stumps and trunk sections can be hollowed out and used as planters, birdbaths, or decorative seating. Even leaving a cut section upright can form a striking natural sculpture.
Creative ideas:
- Hollowed-out log planter for herbs or flowers
- Polished tree slice turned into a table top
- Vertical sections as stepping stones or edging
Adding natural wood features blends beauty with sustainability and saves a trip to the garden centre.
5. Have It Milled for Lumber
Got a bit of space and a project in mind? If your tree is large enough and the wood is in good condition, milling it into usable timber could be the most rewarding option of all. Whether you're thinking fences, shelves, or a show-stopping dining table, your felled tree could live on in a whole new form.
Why it’s worth it:
- Ideal for DIY building, furniture or landscaping projects
- Cuts down on the cost of buying pre-milled timber
- Adds a personal story and character to every plank
This option does require some planning and the right tools, but that’s where we come in. Our chainsaw milling service turns trunks into custom slabs and boards, ready for your next big idea.
What About Habitat and Conservation?
We’re proud to work with organisations like the National Trust, where many of our tree operations prioritise biodiversity. Logs and brash are often left onsite to provide valuable habitat for insects, fungi, birds and small mammals. This simple step helps support local ecosystems and contributes to long-term woodland health.
When full removal is required, we do our best to ensure nothing goes to waste. Most brash is chipped for use on farms, allotments or school play areas, and the rest goes to biomass. Our approach blends practical waste management with ecological responsibility.
Need Help Deciding What to Do with a Felled Tree?
At Marsh Tree Care Ltd., we do more than safely fell trees. We help you make the most of them afterward. Whether you're looking to repurpose the wood, support wildlife, or simply clear the space, our team is here to guide every stage of your tree care journey.
Explore our Tree Felling and Removal Services or contact us to discuss your options.