What to do with rotten wood?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
jcims

jcims

Member
Nov 18, 2008
106
Midwest
Hi Folks,

Coming back after my summer hiatus! I'm planning to do a little clean up of the property and have a bunch of stuff like this within a stone's throw of the house:

DSC_0001.jpg


It's of course bug ridden and so rotten you can kick right through it. I'm wondering if this kind of thing would make for reasonable compost, or if i should just try to burn it outside. I have been fortunate enough to pick up a grapple for my tractor, so it will be reasonably easy to move.
 
1. Leave in woods and let it break down to fertilize the other trees growing nearby.
2. If the site of a dead, decomposing tree offends . . . break it up into compost . . . and leave it.

It sounds as though it's way beyond the point of burning . . . perhaps even too much for burning in a fire pit.
 
Unless it's blocking a trail I'd leave it right where it is.
A forest floor is supposed to have a few dead soldiers lying around.
It is a habitat for all kind of creatures. I bet 10 or more salamanders are calling that home tonight.
 
Maybe i'll just relocate it to the other side of the ridge it's on then rather than attempting to get rid of it. I'd love to just leave it alone, but it's right off the back of the house and bugs me for some reason. (Not this sample in particular, mostly all of the other crud that lies around it...this just gives you an idea of the basic texture).
 
The national park (national monument, technically) near me has many trees down, that could make for great firewood or better, but they are under orders to leave it where it lay (unless it's blocking a road or something) and let it go back to nature.
 
jcims said:
Maybe i'll just relocate it to the other side of the ridge it's on then rather than attempting to get rid of it. I'd love to just leave it alone, but it's right off the back of the house and bugs me for some reason. (Not this sample in particular, mostly all of the other crud that lies around it...this just gives you an idea of the basic texture).
Click to expand...

That really bothers you? Stop being a sensitive woman and leave it alone. :) Lots of critters living in their.
 
That things looks like it'll crumble when you try to move it. Maybe you can just kick it around and it will blend in with the surrounding forest floor.
 
CJW88 said:
jcims said:
Maybe i'll just relocate it to the other side of the ridge it's on then rather than attempting to get rid of it. I'd love to just leave it alone, but it's right off the back of the house and bugs me for some reason. (Not this sample in particular, mostly all of the other crud that lies around it...this just gives you an idea of the basic texture).
Click to expand...

That really bothers you? Stop being a sensitive woman and leave it alone. :) Lots of critters living in their.
Click to expand...

Lol, I know. It's a character flaw that's easier to accommodate than fight. :)

It's even funnier when you look at my workbench, i think the pile on it has reached a 12/12 pitch.
 
Leave it and let it serve as penance for letting that many btus rot right behind the house.
 
That one might resist moving. If you have an atv or tractor, hitch it on and see if it will skid. If not, a wheelbarrow might do the trick. I'd just leave it as it won't take long for it to disappear anyway.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Dustin92
Planning to install a wood stove.. But what? How? And where?
Replies
16
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Caw
Caw
Max W
Minisplits and wood
Replies
4
Views
872
The Inglenook
EbS-P
EbS-P
G
HVAC - mini split or full conventional system - not that it matters because no one wants to do the work...
Replies
13
Views
2K
DIY and General non-hearth advice
GrumpyDad
G
S
Things I've Learned, 9 Months In (Beginner Stuff)
Replies
14
Views
5K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Ashful
Ashful
B
Is this the right stove for me?
Replies
43
Views
8K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
LittleMissMessy
L
Top Bottom
Back