These are 11 smart things you can do with your pruning waste

You can also use large amounts of pruning waste to create paths. Place logs or braided branches along the edges (photo) and fill the path with chopped branches. This creates a pleasant path and provides habitat for numerous important soil organisms, microorganisms, and fungi .

Stepping stones in your border are handy for reaching difficult spots without disturbing the soil by walking on the ground. "Stones" can be replaced with "wood" here. If you cut slices from thick logs, you can place them in the garden as "stepping stones." You can also incorporate them into a rock garden (photo).

Modern pergolas often feature sleek beams and concrete mats as a roof. You can also opt for a more natural look and use pruned wood as a roof covering. If you then allow flowering climbers to grow against the roof, it will create a beautiful whole.

Hollow stems and trunks (without splinters) also make excellent insect or bee hotels . Ensure the diameter of the holes varies between 2 and 11 mm, with most preferably under 8 mm. Ensure the tunnels are at least 10 cm deep, and no deeper than 20 cm. Hang or place the trunks in a sunny spot, preferably in rain shade. Bee species such as the horned mason bee and the garden leafcutter bee will thank you!

Autumn and winter are usually good times to prune, but not always! For example, don't prune hydrangeas now , and it's best to leave ivy alone while they're still dormant. However, trees and shrubs that are dormant should be pruned. It's important to check each plant individually to see if it can be pruned. The rule of thumb is to avoid pruning during or before rain showers, and avoid pruning during (night) frost .

Yes, but make sure you dispose of diseased branches and branches with, for example, fruit tree canker, in the green waste bin. This prevents the spread of diseases and unwanted fungi. Also, be sure to avoid common pruning mistakes .