How to Dispose of Tree Branches: 11 Ways to Dispose of or Repurpose Cut-Down Trees and Logs

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, you still need to dispose of the wood

Dad and son moving chopped firewood in wheelbarrow
Photo: Halfpoint / Adobe Stock
Dad and son moving chopped firewood in wheelbarrow
Photo: Halfpoint / Adobe Stock
Sara Coleman
Written by Sara Coleman
Contributing Writer
Updated January 16, 2024
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.

If you’re aiming to clear your yard of some unwanted trees or are doing a bit of fall yard cleanup, you may have a plan for the actual removal, but planning for log removal is not as straightforward. Luckily, you have many options for how to dispose of trees and branches, and we’ll break them all down.

1. Check Your Local Yard Waste Recycling or Municipal Composting Program

If you don’t know how to remove yard waste, many villages, towns, HOAs, and other local organizations offer municipal composting programs or local yard waste recycling. There may be a local transfer station where you can take the downed trees, logs, or branches for disposal.

Additionally, many townships pick up yard debris on a couple of specified dates each year, usually in the spring and fall. Check what programs are available in your local area and make arrangements to transport the yard debris to the proper location or schedule a pick-up.

2. Rent a Dumpster 

If you have a lot of fallen or pruned branches on hand and need a flexible schedule to get rid of them, consider renting a dumpster. Unlike hiring a junk hauling company—which will pick up all your waste during one appointment—dumpster rentals last about a week on average. This extended time frame will give you the freedom and capacity to make multiple trips to the yard waste drop-off center as needed. The cost to rent a dumpster ranges from $290 to $480 and depends on the dumpster size you choose and the length of your rental.

3. Burn Brush on Site

Another option for getting rid of cut-down trees is to burn the wood in place. This option may be more time-consuming, as you’ll need to dry the wood somewhat. However, for leafy branches, this may be more time-efficient than sawing off individual branches and figuring out what to do with them. You should have experience with these types of controlled burns before moving forward, though.

Keep in mind that some species of open-pore “cottonwood” or “alamo” varieties soak up water very easily from rain if left out too long, so you might have to place a tarp over these species to let them air out. Leave airflow space underneath for airflow and let dry for six to 12 months or use fuel to help the wood burn more effectively.

Note: Using fuel to burn wood is not legal in all areas, so always check with your local officials first. You should also aim to do this when humidity is high so you minimize risk to the surrounding soil, according to Oklahoma State University. Keep in mind that burning brush on these days may take longer.

You should carefully ignite the brush by using a tool like a drip torch, road flare, or propane torch. You should also not use gasoline to burn the brush, as this can be dangerous.

4. Give It Away

This might sound straightforward, but if you know neighbors, lumber mills, woodworkers, or others who could use free wood, why not just give it away? You might have to encourage a company or a few friends with trucks to come out and do some heavy-duty lifting, but you can rest at the end of the day knowing the wood is no longer in your hands.

5. Have a Professional Do the Job

Last but not least, if you want your tree demolition to be out of sight and out of mind quickly, then the easiest way to do it is to hire a tree service company to do the job. This option might cost more in the long run, but it will almost certainly save you time—especially if you are removing many trees and will have a lot of cut-down pieces remaining afterward. 

A pro knows how to get rid of cut-down trees efficiently and can also use a stump grinder to remove stumps, remove roots, and ensure that power lines are clear of large trees.

Not to mention, a professional can inspect all trees on your property to help identify any sickly or unhealthy trees and remove them at the same time, saving you the trouble of having to repeat this process if another tree were to fall or become a hazard.

How to Repurpose Branches, Trees, and Logs

Getting rid of cut-down logs entirely is not the only option available. There are many different ways to repurpose valuable wood from fallen trees, with our favorites detailed below.

1. Store for Firewood

Storing chopped-down trees as firewood is a fairly simple way to get rid of the branches of your former trees. Not all trees can be used for firewood, however. Poplar, for example, is hard to split and is very smoky if you burn it when it’s not completely dry. Do your research before splitting some wood for firewood.

Even splitting low-quality wood with a power splitter can take a lot of work. If the wood is soft and wet from being freshly cut, you will also have a harder time splitting the wood. On top of that, you’ll need to cut the pieces to fireplace length, which may be a challenge depending on the species of trees.

However, if you’re up for a bit of a challenge, this method can be a great way to make sure the wood from your tree log removal is put to good use.

2. Turn Into Mulch/Wood Chips

For the same reason that you can’t use all wood from chopped trees as firewood, you also can’t just use any old branch or stump to make your own mulch or wood chips. If the wood in question is larger than 24 to 27 inches in diameter, you’re going to have to invest more to chip the wood. 

Towable chippers that are capable of chipping entire 4-foot trees are mainly used for major land-clearing jobs and run at about $500 per hour or more.

With that in mind, if your trees are smaller or you’ve already hired a tree service company to come on-site, turning your chopped trees into wood chips may very well be the right option for you. You can also take the brush to a brush chipping company in your area if you’ve already had the trees cut down.

3. Create a Property Line

Wooden fence in snowfall
Photo: Andriy Blokhin / Adobe Stock

Another idea on how to get rid of cut-down trees is to get your DIY on. Create a charming rustic fence, or go for the eco-friendly, low-maintenance route by simply rolling the logs in a single-file line to the edges of your property as a property line barrier. Bear in mind that any untreated wood will become insect, mushroom, toadstool, and fungus havens as they decompose.

4. Use as Compost

If you don’t mind adding a bit of wood to the natural scenery on your property, one way you can dispose of tree cuts is by simply stacking them and letting them rot away. Better yet, you can create compost sites from the stacked wood and pile up unsightly branches on the inside. 

Or, if you want to conceal the stack, consider planting some shrubs around them. Just be sure not to place the wood too close to any property, as you may tempt some ants, termites, or venomous snakes to enter your home.

5. Create a Habitat

While deadwood might not look as beautiful as live trees, they have an equally as important role. Deadwood provides a habitat for certain animals, like insects, butterflies, bees, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. It can also make a great home for various wild plant species. Habitats are a great solution for how to get rid of wood from cut-down tree logs and branches.

To build a habitat on your property, gather tree stumps with the entire root structure attached or log sections. Dig a hole in the ground so that the bottom third of the wood will be buried. Place the wood into the hole and backfill the open space with dirt and other organic matter, like ferns and leaves.

6. Use as Furniture

Depending on the species and quality of wood, you might be able to use stumps and straight branches as legs for chairs, tables, and even stair railings. This project is a great way to add some custom furniture to your home while also preserving the memories of the trees that used to be on your property, making it a win-win.

Of course, you’ll have to have some serious furniture-making chops to take this project on, or you can work with a custom furniture company to make your dreams come true.

DIY vs. Hiring a Waste Removal Service 

When it’s time to dispose of your tree branches, you may consider doing the job yourself or hiring a professional waste removal service. Before taking on the job, consider whether you’re up to the physical labor and can complete the job safely. Do you have the proper equipment or gear, such as eyewear and thick gloves? The disposal method you prefer will also influence your decision. Collecting a few branches for your regular yard waste pick-up is fine for DIY, but dismantling an entire fallen tree and hauling it away can be too labor-intensive for a homeowner. 

Cost to Hire Professional Waste Removal

If you decide to leave the tree branch removal to a professional waste removal service, you can expect an average cost between $150 and $350. It could cost more or less depending on the size of the project. The amount of debris you have is typically the biggest influencing factor for the cost of waste removal.

Audrey Bruno contributed to this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you recently cut down a tree and are left with the tree stump, there are a few different methods you can use to remove it. First and foremost, you can simply dig the tree stump out of the ground by loosening up the soil and roots. Use a reciprocating saw to aid in the removal of the root system.

You could also carefully burn the stump to remove it. Use other pieces of wood to create fire on top of the stump and continue to add more wood until the entire stump has burned.

Finally, you could use a chemical made specifically for stump removal. Per the manufacturer’s instructions, drill holes into the stump and pour in the chemical. As the chemical is absorbed, it will soften the stump, making the removal much easier.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
Learn more about our contributor
Sara Coleman
Written by Sara Coleman
Contributing Writer
Sara is a full-time writer with work appearing in BobVila, JoyWallet, and Wayfair. Prior to writing, she worked in the appliance industry for over 10 years as a sales representative for a major national manufacturer. She’s passionate about making a house a home through both big and small details and even on a shoestring budget.
Sara is a full-time writer with work appearing in BobVila, JoyWallet, and Wayfair. Prior to writing, she worked in the appliance industry for over 10 years as a sales representative for a major national manufacturer. She’s passionate about making a house a home through both big and small details and even on a shoestring budget.
The homeowners guide to Garbage Collection
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.