Tree Removal: Is It OK to Keep the Wood From a Dead Tree?

Tree removal always seems to produce way more wood than people think it will, it even surprises arborists to see the volume created by a tree once it’s on the ground. Whether you view all that wood as a blessing or a curse, you might be wondering if keeping the wood is a viable option. Arborists get this question from time to time, and the answer is not a simple yes or no. The tree species and reason for removal help to answer an important part of this question.

Wood from a tree that’s been removed can harbor insects or disease that shouldn’t be kept onsite, lest they infect other trees. Here are some examples where you might not want to keep wood from a tree that’s been removed due to the presence of insects and disease:

Oak Wilt
Oak wilt can survive on wood that has been removed and stacked in place for a year or more. Infected trees develop fruiting bodies that are present in the form of “pressure pads”. Pressure pads expand, putting pressure bark until it splits open to release spores into the environment.  It is recommended that wood from a tree infected with Oak Wilt be destroyed by means of burning it immediately or chipping the wood (both should be done onsite).

IPS Beetles
IPS beetles are a boring insects that infest conifers. If you have a completely dead tree that has succumbed to the beetles it’s safe to keep for firewood. All living portions should be chipped and removed offsite or the beetles will survive and move to other nearby host trees.

Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch Disease (DED) is a fungal disease of Elms that can survive on logs of infected trees after they’ve been removed indefinitely. Since the DED resistant varieties of elms outnumber the elms that are vulnerable to DED, the practice of keeping infected wood is not as risky but still discouraged. This is a case where keeping the wood isn’t worth the associated risks of infection to other trees. Dispose of wood infected with Dutch Elm Disease in the same way you would for Oak Wilt, mentioned above.

Another factor is what you plan to do with the wood. The most common use for wood debris is to use it as firewood. If you use wood to heat your home, you likely already know that not all wood is equally useful for burning. A good example is spruce, which is not a great option for wood stove use due to debris build-up inside the stove and the minimal heat it produces. If you’re just keeping wood for outdoor fires, spruce would be acceptable. A simple google search can help you figure out if your tree species is wood worth using for firewood.

There are many other situations where keeping wood may not be a great idea and speaking with your arborist is the best place to start. Whether you keep your wood or not, do NOT move wood off your property. Pests and diseases move great distances by people that innocently transport firewood. Anywhere you travel, you can find firewood for purchase with ease. Don’t help insects and diseases invade other areas, they do a tremendous job invading new areas on their own. Wood disposal is part of the initial discussion about tree removal and the wood from your tree will be chipped and removed offsite unless you discuss keeping the wood beforehand with your arborist. If you are unsure about whether or not it’s appropriate to keep wood from your recently removed tree, contact your arborist to discuss options for your wood.