Clear Up Backyard Clutter By Recycling The Unused Logs You Aren't Touching

Do you have a corner of the yard where things tend to pile up? You're not alone. Just like that countertop in your kitchen where the mail ends up or a section of the basement where all the furniture you just can't let go of goes to die, your yard can get cluttered. And just like you may need strategies to declutter your home, we're here to help you identify ways to declutter your yard.

If you have an outdoor firepit, you may find that the logs you intended to burn on chilly evenings have piled up and are not being used. The good news is the woodpile is a great place to start when giving the backyard a visual spruce, in part because there are many ways to recycle those logs for other purposes. From bug hotels to mulch, we have a few different ways to repurpose old firewood.

It's likely that the logs sitting in your woodpile vary significantly in condition. From stumps that have yet to be cut up for firewood to ones that are practically disintegrated, there is an option for every log in the pile. Use these suggestions to go beyond traditional yard cleanup and recycle unused firewood in creative ways.

If you have a few full logs, consider repurposing them into DIY backyard furniture. With some simple cuts and the right sealer (a marine-grade varnish will provide better protection), you can create stools and end tables to use while sitting around the firepit. This solution gets bonus points for encouraging you to use the firepit and, by extension, more of the woodpile.

Smaller logs, and even those that are deteriorated, can be used to build a bug hotel. For this project, you may need a few more materials to build a sturdy frame and to provide varied habitats. So grab some old pallets and more yard debris, such as leaves and sticks, to draw on. The nice thing about bug hotels is they allow you to use wood of many different sizes and in all conditions. Loose bark can be used in one section, while sturdier logs — with holes drilled into the ends — can provide an entirely different habitat.

If you don't have time to DIY a creative project, or you have more wood than a couple of craft projects can use, there are other ways to declutter your backyard by getting rid of your woodpile. The first option may also be the simplest: Give it away.

While you may not be using your firewood, one of your neighbors may be in need of more. If you don't know anyone who needs it, try reaching out through Facebook Marketplace or another neighborhood group. It's almost certain someone will be happy to pick up wood for free and put it to good use. Everyone loves free stuff, right?

You can also consider renting a chipper to turn that woodpile into mulch. For less than $100, homeowners can rent a chipper to get the job done. While many gardeners may want to use the best mulch for their garden beds, others are happy to use what they have on hand. Wood chips that are essentially free can be especially handy if you have a garden path project you're working on, as they can make an inexpensive option for a big project.