Repurposing Felled Trees

We are often asked what we do with the waste material generated from our work. Although it is classed as waste, none of it is wasted.
Smaller material from felling or pruning usually goes through our woodchipper into our tipping van is removed from site and tipped off ready for the next load.

We have a variety of markets for the woodchip including biomass, and mulch for local allotments, farms, equestrian, parks, and gardens. Quality can vary depending on the type of vegetation. We also give consideration if the material (e.g. yew) may be toxic to livestock.

Logs suitable for firewood are sold wholesale in the size they are loaded onto the van. Being tree surgery this is often man handleable sized to get them out of a back garden, or small sizes if they are from a tree that was dismantled in small pieces over a greenhouse or similar. If access is good we use a little mechanical loader to get larger sections of wood, this is easier on our backs and less sawdust to clear up too.

Green waste from hedge cutting that can’t be chipped is taken to an approved green waste site for commercial composting. We sometimes buy some of this back as a soil conditioner when tree planting.

Leaving it on-site – most customers ask us to remove all of the material as part of the service. If desired and there is space we are happy to leave behind some or all of the woodchip or timber or even the branches for people to deal with themselves. We are getting asked more often to leave wood suitable for firewood for customers to convert into logs for wood burners. This is fine with us, we normally cut it to a man-handable size and stack nearby.

Milling and planking – occasionally we get a quantity and quality of material that can be taken to a sawmill and cut into boards for furniture or projects.

Woodturners occasionally ask for pieces of interesting wood to use in their craft. We also have a little go at producing the occasional interesting piece including garden furniture, chainsaw carving, and seasonal items. We have an environment agency waste carriers license and fill out waste carrier licenses as required.