Most people haul fallen limbs to the curb for trash pick up or they burn the wood themselves. If you have a chainsaw, though, you might be missing out on great edging for places around your lawn. Even if you only have a handsaw you can still create free yet fabulous borders using fallen limbs. Whether youve weathered a rough storm and have tree limbs down in your yard, or youve just trimmed some trees on your property, you can make some fabulous designs for your garden, walkways and more. The tree limbs can be cut into circles that will look great as an edging for various places in your yard.
The perfect tree limb would be about 5" in diameter. Although you can use wider or narrower limbs, according to what you have, the tree limb circles can be cut and used to decorate your lawn. Cut the limbs in circular chunks which are approximately three to four inches wide. Avoid places where the wood branches off into another limb. The wood circles are perfect for outlining sidewalks and gardens.
Theres no need to remove the bark from the wooden circles. Dig a small trench around a garden and place the circles of wood around it. Start by pushing the first circle into the trench. The wood should stand on its side with the bark going down into the dirt. Butt the next circle up against the first, side by side, then add the next circle. The circles should be buried about half way up. These wooden circles give a scalloped look to many areas of the yard. The circles dont all have to be the exact size but should be relatively similar in size and shape. Log circles that are slightly larger than the others can simply be buried slightly deeper. Use the wood circles around a large tree. Place the circles a few feet from the tree and go all the way around the tree with the circles. Now fill in the area between the wood circles and the tree with rocks or mulch. Use the wood pieces to create scallops around the perimeter of the yard, around bushes, or even around lawn ornaments. The type of tree from which the limb came is not important. If youre using pine, though, be careful of the sap which will run out while youre cutting or handling the wood. The sap can ruin clothing and is difficult to get off of the skin. As the wood dries out, though, the sap will no longer be a problem. Its a good idea to spray the logs, after placing them around your yard, with a good bug spray. Choose a spray that will take care of most outdoor and garden variety bugs. If the wood has been sitting around awhile you may also want to use a termite spray on them. There are other things you can make from fallen tree limbs. Wide limbs can be cut into sections that can become outdoor tables. Cut the logs so that theyll sit straight and position them beside various pieces of outdoor furniture. The logs serve as a sort of end table where guests can set drinks and such. Slightly smaller logs can be gathered into a cluster, strapped together with an ordinary belt, and used as an indoor table. The conversation piece is easy to make. Three or four log sections work great for creating this table. Butt them close together and use a large belt or two to strap the logs together. Make it a squat set and you have a foot stool. Cut them a little longer, strap them together, and you have an indoor table. Place a piece of glass or wood on the logs if you want a smooth top surface. If you have fallen limbs in your yard dont take them to the landfill or burn them. Use them to make some really cool things for your house and yard. Its a great way to recycle the limbs and youll be amazed at how much the logs can improve the look of your house.
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