FAQs

It depends on who's using it. For backyard play, house pets, or small animals, our 28" logs are a great fit. For kids, school playgrounds, and parks, the 36" is our most popular choice — most children can crawl through comfortably. For adults, inclusive play, or large animals, the 48" gives everyone room to move. Zoos often prefer logs under 36" diameter because larger logs require more complex installation logistics in active animal habitats — though we do supply large logs to zoos with the right setup. When in doubt, call us and we'll help you pick.

Yes. IC WOOD hollow logs are made from 100% reclaimed natural timber with no synthetic materials, adhesives, or coatings. They are non-toxic and fully biodegradable. For public installations, we recommend a shallow trench or flat-bottom cut to prevent rolling, and periodic inspections for splinters. Our logs are used in hundreds of schools, parks, and public nature play areas across the country.

For most residential and playground uses, no anchoring is required — a shallow trench (3–4" deep) the length of the log is all you need to keep it stable. If your log has a flat-bottom cut, it will sit level on its own. For zoo habitats or high-traffic public spaces, you may want to consult your facilities team about additional stabilization. We include full installation instructions with every order.

Shipping is calculated by weight per cubic volume via LTL freight from Taberg, NY. Interestingly, larger and heavier orders often ship at a lower per-unit cost. The easiest way to get your exact rate is to add items to your cart and proceed to checkout — your shipping total will be calculated before you pay. Liftgate service is available if you don't have a forklift on site.

Untreated logs typically last 3–5 years outdoors depending on climate, drainage, and wood species. With a quality wood sealer applied every 1–2 years, that lifespan extends significantly — many of our logs are still in service after 10+ years. Hardwood species like maple and oak naturally outlast softwoods like pine. We recommend treating your log before first use and re-sealing annually.

Seal the wood and keep it off the dirt. IC WOOD strongly recommends both for any outdoor installation. Applying an industrial-grade wood coating or penetrating oil before first use — and reapplying every one to two years — prevents the moisture intrusion that causes checking cracks to deepen and widen over time. Keeping the log off direct ground contact is equally important: soil holds moisture against the wood continuously, accelerating rot from the bottom up. Set the log in a bed of gravel (4–6 inches deep, full length of the log) so water drains freely beneath it, or install anchors that hold the log just above the ground surface. Together, these two steps can extend your log's outdoor lifespan 2–4x compared to leaving it untreated and sitting on bare dirt.

The more context the better. Most helpful: who or what will be using the log (kids, animals, pets, public visitors), the approximate size of the user, your installation environment (backyard, zoo habitat, school playground, park), whether you have equipment to unload freight, and your general location for shipping estimates. You can use our Blueprint Designer on the Contact page to sketch your space and send it directly to us.