Getting rid of tree stumps/roots

Nothing wrong with a bit of copper all your drinking water and bathing water is supplied through it if you want to crusade about toxic materials try lead lots of water supplies still pass through it nobody gives it a second thought

 

The story so far................
Thank you for all your thoughts and ideas - and the proof of the existence of copper nails! The tree is gone I'm afraid. (My husband was heard to utter the words 'sad to see it go' as he weilded his chain saw!!) We will grow something over the stump, and as for the remains of the tree I have added them to my rustic logpile in the garden, which will provide a haven for a 'myriad of minibeasts' (how poetic! ?) I was not impressed however by my husband's apparent lack of artistic flair in placing them, so I have shifted them a little to achieve a more naturalistic scene!! I think time in the Senior service of HM forces has imprinted upon him a life of order, conformity and staidness!! (Apologies to any members of the armed forces - only joking of course! )

 

Making a log pile with the remains is an excellent idea. You will find that it will provide a home for beetles that do a grand job eating the smaller and most damaging slugs

 

We have constructed logpiles in the garden ('outdoor classroom') at the school I work at, the children can look closely at all the minibeasts who take up residence, what fungi develops, see the wood in various stages of decomposition and of course it is great fun moving the logs to different locations! (although this is sometimes counter-productive if you are attempting to do all of the other activities - hence the reason for several logpiles!) The garden has a wooded area, a wild area and a wonderful sensory garden area, with pergolas and trellis supporting beautiful honeysuckles and clematis, and these provide lovely shady areas for the children. We have a 'chequer-board garden (paving slabs laid in a chess-board fashion and the children plant potatoes, carrots, onions and lettuce etc. in each of the square sections.
In addition, the children have a large grassy area, and pathways to trundle around with trucks and trikes. All the large equipment ie. climbing frame, wobbly bridge and stepping/balancing equipment are all constructed of natural materials, wood, rope etc. There are two gazebo-type buildings which lend themselves for every type of role-play possible, as well as providing much needed shade, and a place to sit, share books and listen to a story.
It truly is a wonderful place to learn.
Here endeth the lesson.................. :D

 

At my school as well as a wildlife area we made raised beds using stacked car and tractor tyres bolted together. Non-rot, no sharp corners and kids bounce off them.

 

Re tyres for play areas: beware that tyres often (possibly usually) have wire reinforcement which may in time be exposed. It can be very sharp and give a nasty cut. This happened on our playing field where we had copied others in using tyres set vertically in th eground to act as a cushion under the ends of a seesaw. Tractor tyres may well be so robust that wire, if present, would take decades to get exposed.