Where can I find tree stumps? (Reston, Fairfax: movers, chapel, house)

[Hesky]

My fiancee and I are looking for tree stumps that we can use to decorate an outdoors event, but we are not sure where to find them.

We are kind of looking for something like this:
http://www.ecosalon.com/wp-content/u...ump-stools.jpg

I rememebr not too long ago I found some tree stumps had been left abandoned in the Browns Chapel Park in Reston, but I haven't seen anything similar there again since.

As always, thanks a lot for your help!

[Gottasay]

I don't advise randomly picking up stumps and bringing them to your home. They may have termites, dangerous beetles (eg., emerald ash borer) that destroy trees, and/or a jellow jacket nest. As far as where to find, I'd call a lumber mill, but get them to look you in the eye and swear the logs have 0 termites and/or dangerous beetle lavae. You may need to take a drive out in the country to go to a decent lumber mill.

[statecollege]

Tree services love to unload wood chips and cut tree trunks on homeowners who want to mulch or split firewood. Their alternative is to pay for disposal or consume space storing on their own property. Give one a call. Also, the Fairfax County landfills give away mulch, shredded leaves (for composting), and unsplit firewood. In this regard, I see cut tree sections like what you want at the Lorton landfill all the time, and I presume the same exists at the I-66 counterpart.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Gottasay

I don't advise randomly picking up stumps and bringing them to your home. They may have termites, dangerous beetles (eg., emerald ash borer) that destroy trees, and/or a jellow jacket nest. . . .

Excellent point - many trees that are cut down look ok on the outside but slowly rotting/dying on the inside from disease or insects.

Try contacting a tree-cutting service. Alot of them have the shredding machine and shred on the spot but I've seen folks walk up to a service and ask for stumps as they cut down a tree.

Also contact one of the public parks and ask. I think they are obliged to cut down "bad" trees for the sake of public safety. Good luck!

[Hesky]

Thanks for the advice!

We are not planning to bring the tree trunks indoors, so that shouldn't be a problem.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Hesky

We are not planning to bring the tree trunks indoors, so that shouldn't be a problem.

You should still check them out. There could be ants in them or other insects that will spread to the rest of your trees and shrubs. Good luck!

[Gottasay]

Originally Posted by South Jersey Styx

Excellent point - many trees that are cut down look ok on the outside but slowly rotting/dying on the inside from disease or insects.

Try contacting a tree-cutting service. Alot of them have the shredding machine and shred on the spot but I've seen folks walk up to a service and ask for stumps as they cut down a tree.

Also contact one of the public parks and ask. I think they are obliged to cut down "bad" trees for the sake of public safety. Good luck!

In my experience, the only time we have had trees cut was when they were diseased. I suspect many homeowners don't cut until there is something wrong with the tree as well. I would definitely be very picky about where you get your tree stumps from. A termite infestation on your home can cost $$$. Termites don't need to be brought indoors to wreck havoc -- they can still swarm the outside of your home from the outside and work their way indoors. Sorry to be so stark. Just my 2 cents.

[statecollege]

I'm not sure I'd be concerned about some of the negatives raised here. It sounds like your display will be temporary just for the party, right?.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Gottasay

In my experience, the only time we have had trees cut was when they were diseased. I suspect many homeowners don't cut until there is something wrong with the tree as well.

No, homeowners cut down trees (or large parts thereof) when their growth impedes things, like electrical wires. Also, at our house up in NJ, people cut trees (tops) because they are just simply massive. I am talking about towering oaks 50' -80' or more. They have to be 30 yrs old and older. They're still healthy, but those towering tops are at risk during those heavy wind storms, etc.

Lopping off the tops does provide alot of stumps. I've watched tree cuttings where people walk up to the cutters and ask them for some stumps. Not sure if they're making seats out of them like the OP wants to do or if they use them for firewood. It's kind of interesting to me to see neighbors cart off a few stumps though.

I would definitely be very picky about where you get your tree stumps from. A termite infestation on your home can cost $$$. .

Yes, absolutely vital! There could be insects or even worse, insect eggs inside of stumps. Can't see with the naked eye, but they could be there.

[Alicia Bradley]

There are several tree stumps (still rooted to the earth) covered with silver-striped orange 'caution' buckets in little (formerly decorative?) berms in front of the Vienna Metro station. I was glad when they finally added the buckets, though, since the bare, fairly narrow 3 ft.-high (-ish) tree stumps seemed like some kind of improbably bizarre accident waiting to happen. Plus, now they (the orange buckets, that is) are sort of like centerpieces in little invasive-grasses meditation gardens - perfect for the gazes of those of us waiting for CUE buses and trying to mentally decompress after a long day. I would guess the money that made the little berms and their young trees possible was some part of a beautification initiative that lacked the sizzle to keep said initiative's first movers interested after the trees' first watering. (Plus, they had already gotten their part, which was the point of the whole thing in the first place. )