Composting Trunks

[racerxga]

I'm trying decide if it's a good or bad idea to allow the remains of tree (knocked over by another tree struck by lightning) to decay naturally in my back yard. And if so, should I do something to them to accelerate composting. They are sitting in a natural ravine between two steep slopes.

In the photo, you will see I had to cut in sections to move it off of my crushed fence. The angle is a little tilted. It was fun to cut but getting out of the ravine with 25% slopes would be a pain. Does leaving this create a haven for critters or insects?

 

[Toddppm]

Without critters and insects they won't get broken down into compost

 

[treeseer]

Without critters and insects they won't get broken down into compost

Good point; most are beneficial.

To speed rotting, scrape away duff layer and get wood in contact with dirt.

 

[peterc38]

Looks a lot more like firewood to me

 

[treeseer]

Looks a lot more like firewood to me

In Maine, probably so.

In Atlanta, probably not.