A New Lease of Life

Why do Trees Fall, Why Are They Cut, and How We Can Use Them Creatively

During walks in parks and woodland near my home I often see fallen trees of all sizes. There's something a bit magical and a bit sad about it. A towering tree, once standing tall for decades or even centuries, now lying on the ground, its life above the soil over. I always wondered why trees fall or why some trees are cut down intentionally? These question came to mind again as we walked through the Chiswick House Estate our first log hunting visit, fortunately I had some one who could educate me. Georgina one of the gardeners at Chiswisk House who looks after and surveys the trees had the answers for my curious mind.

Here's what I learnt

Why Do Trees Fall?

Trees can fall for all sorts of reasons. It’s like the perfect storm of natural factors can sometimes just bring them down. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Old Age Just like people, trees age, and with age comes a weakening of their structure. A tree that's lived for hundreds of years may eventually fall simply because it's reached the end of its life cycle.

2. Storms and Winds Heavy storms, strong winds, and even hurricanes are known to take down trees. In extreme weather, trees often don't stand a chance, especially if their roots aren’t very deep or they're already weak.

3. Diseases and Pests Trees can get sick too! Fungal infections, beetles, or termites can weaken a tree from the inside, making it much more likely to fall during the next big gust of wind.

4. Poor Soil If a tree is planted in shallow or unstable soil, its roots might not be able to hold it up properly. Over time, the tree might lean or completely topple over.

Why Do People Cut Down Trees?

Sometimes, trees don’t fall naturally – they’re cut down for a variety of reasons. And while we all want to protect our forests, there are times when cutting a tree down is necessary.

1. Safety Hazards A tree that’s old, leaning dangerously, or diseased might pose a threat to people, homes, or roads. In this case, cutting it down can prevent accidents. this is one of the biggest hazards to the public at Chiswick House.

2. Development As much as we want to protect nature, sadly sometimes trees are cut to make way for new buildings, roads, or parks. The goal is always to strike a balance between development and keeping green spaces alive.

3. Sustainable Timber Harvesting In managed woodland, trees are sometimes cut down as part of a plan to make sure the forest stays healthy. New trees are planted in place of the ones that are cut, ensuring a continuous cycle of growth.

Here are a few ideas to get your inspiration flowing:

1. Wood Furniture

They can be transformed into beautiful and sustainable things.

Turning Fallen Trees into Something Beautiful and Useful

One of the most common and sustainable uses for fallen trees is turning them into furniture. Think about beautiful live-edge tables, wooden benches, or even tree stumps as unique stools. Not only does it make for stunning, natural furniture, but it also keeps the tree's legacy alive in your home.

2. Carvings and Sculptures

If you're artistically inclined (or know someone who is), wood from fallen trees can be carved into art pieces. Tree trunks or branches can be shaped into intricate sculptures, animals, or abstract forms that add a natural touch to any space. this can be done a large or small scale whittling is a great way to start.

3. Garden Decorations

Have you ever thought of turning parts of a tree into outdoor decorations? Logs can be used to create natural pathways in your garden, or hollowed-out tree stumps can become flower pots or birdbaths.

4. Firewood and Mulch

For a more practical use, fallen trees can provide firewood for heating homes or campfires. If you have a wood chipper, you can even turn them into mulch, which helps protect plants in your garden by keeping the soil moist and preventing weeds.

Sadly only a small proportion of wood that we use comes form fallen trees and trees cut down for safety reason. What happens to these trees?

Just because a tree has fallen or been cut down doesn’t mean its story is over. What do we do with all these fallen and cut trees? This is what the Harvesting connections project was all about. Fallen or cut trees don’t have to go to waste and rot there is only so much the earth needs. There are so many ways we can reuse fallen trees creatively and sustainably.

3. Garden Decorations

Have you ever thought of turning parts of a tree into outdoor decorations? Logs can be used to create natural pathways in your garden, or hollowed-out tree stumps can become flower pots or birdbaths.

4. Firewood and Mulch

For a more practical use, fallen trees can provide firewood for heating homes or campfires. If you have a wood chipper, you can even turn them into mulch, which helps protect plants in your garden by keeping the soil moist and preventing weeds.

5. Shelters for Wildlife

Even in death, a tree can provide life. Fallen trees can become habitats for all sorts of creatures like insects, birds, and small mammals. Instead of removing a fallen tree from your property, you could leave parts of it to create a natural haven for local wildlife.

Sustainable Harvesting: A Balance for the Future

While we’re talking about cutting trees and using fallen wood, it’s super important to remember that sustainability is key. Trees are an essential part of our planet’s health, so whenever a tree is taken down, we need to think about what comes next.

Plant More Trees: For every tree that’s cut down, replanting should be a priority. This helps keep the balance of oxygen production and wildlife habitats. There are lots of companys now that will plant trees when you purchase or use their products.

Use the Whole Tree: Rather than wasting parts of the tree, make sure every piece is used – whether that’s for construction, furniture, firewood, or mulch.

Support Responsible Forestry: Look for products made from sustainably harvested wood. Certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) ensure that the wood you buy comes from forests that are managed responsibly.

Trees Have More to Offer Than Just Shade

A fallen or cut tree doesn’t mean the end – it’s just a new beginning. Whether it’s a natural event or part of human planning, trees that come down can be repurposed in ways that are both beautiful and useful. From stunning wood furniture to providing homes for critters, there are endless ways to give trees a second life.

Next time you see a fallen tree, take a moment to appreciate it – and maybe even imagine what it could become!