Urban Wood Utilization
Colorado has a dire need for urban wood utilization — a need that was amplified when emerald ash borer was discovered in Boulder in 2013. If you are interested in helping our local environment and our economy as well as your pocketbook by getting valuable urban wood to the reutilization market instead of sending it to a landfill, watch the video above and check out the information below. It should help get you started.
FAQs:
What kinds of trees are valuable for milling?
Typically, you’re looking for sound wood from trees 1 to 3 feet in diameter and 6 to 16 feet long. But many woodworking operations, such as Wood in 2 Wood featured in the video above, can work with even smaller trees.
How much is urban wood worth?
Urban logs are worth 10% of final finished lumber price. And it’s important to note that urban wood is worth more than lumber from other non-local or mass-harvested sources. Each 20 board feet section of dry hardwood is worth approximately $3.
Will the mill owner pay for the logs?
Species by species, a mill owner will pay $.30 to $1.50 per board foot of lumber, if you bring it to his or her yard.
Do I have to do anything special with the logs when removing them or storing them?
As long as you remove and move them safely, keep the logs as large as you can. Within 1-2 days, paint the ends of the wood with anything you have – preferable anchor sealant, if available.
Will mill owners come and get the logs or mill them at my site? Should be I declare the logs ready to be picked up or milled on site?
Yes. In fact, the industry could use more portable mills. Portable mill operators can typically charge $80 to $120 an hour depending on capability and experience.
How much does a portable mill like the one in the video cost?
The mills can range from $2,000 to $20,000, depending on type and quality.
What tree care companies and/or arborists are already re-utilizing urban logs?
There are many, but a few include Helping Hand, 303 Tree, A Cut Above, Taddiken, Lovett Tree Company and Rich Wooley Tree.
RESOURCES
For additional information about urban wood utilization, see the resources below:
General Information about Urban Wood Utilization
Urban Wood and Traditional Wood: A Comparison of Properties and Uses
Purdue University, 2014- Describes key differences between wood products from traditional forests and those available from urban forests.
Wood Utilization Options for Urban Trees Infested by Invasive Species
US Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center, 2012- Information for resource managers on the properties, processing characteristics and potential products that can be manufactured from hardwoods that have been attacked by various invasive species.
Wood Utilization Best Management Practices
Delta Institute- Important considerations for resource managers and homeowners interested in urban wood utilization, including helpful checklists.
Urban Forests and Urban Tree Use: Opportunities on Local, State, National and International Scales
Dovetail Partners, 2014- Brief highlights of opportunities and success stories in urban wood utilization.
Timber Processing Use of Urban and Development Site Trees for Lumber
Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, 2002- Basic considerations for those interested in utilizing urban trees.
Reclaiming Wood Products from the Urban Forest
Edith Makra, Illinois EAB Wood Utilization Team, 2015- General information about urban wood utilization, potential markets and the need to create a comprehensive supply chain network.
Ash Utilization Options Project Resources
Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation and Development Council- A great list of resources, note not that the page is a tad old, so some links are unavailable.
Urban Wood Utilization Planning
Community Urban Wood Utilization Planning Worksheet
Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation and Development Council- Excellent guide for creating a comprehensive urban wood utilization plan in your community.
Cost-Effective Tree Removal and Utilization Strategies to Address Invasive Species Attacks
US Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Southeast Michigan RC&D Council, Michigan DNR, 2007- Components of and strategies for developing a successful urban wood utilization plan.
Prevention and Response Plans to Address Invasive Species Attacks on Urban Forests in Colorado
Colorado Department of Agriculture, 2013- General information about creating a management plan for invasive species, including guidelines for creating an urban wood utilization component.
Case Studies
Utilizing Municipal Trees: Ideas from Across the Country
US Forest Service, 2001- Highlights 16 successful urban wood utilization projects from across the country.
Feasibility Study for a Community Wood Reclamation System
Illinois Wood Utilization Team, 2011- Very helpful economic viability study regarding the development of a community wood reclamation center. A good template for any city or cluster considering such an undertaking.
Remove and Repurpose: Increasing the Value of Urban Wood
US Forest Service Urban Forest Connections webinar, 2015- Case studies detailing successful wood utilization efforts in Raleigh, NC, Richmond, VA, and Cincinnati, OH.
Environmental & Urban Wood Reclamation
Illinois Institute of Technology Undergraduate Interprofessional Project, 2009- Explores potential opportunities and markets for EAB- and DED-killed trees in the greater Chicago area with three case studies. A good template for cities exploring the feasibility of and opportunities for urban wood utilization.
Successful Approaches to Recycling Urban Wood Waste
US Forest Service, 2002- Eight case studies of successful urban wood waste recycling projects and businesses.
Urban Wood Utilization Programs in Other States
Illinois Wood Utilization Team
Wood from the Hood, Minneapolis, MN
North Carolina Urban Forest Council Urban Wood Group
SE Michigan’s Reclaimed Wood Marketplace
City of Elkhart, IN Urban Wood Utilization Program
City of Davenport, IA Urban Wood Utilization Program
Have other questions like why should you should haul logs to a mill instead of the landfill or selling as firewood or where you can take your wood for milling on the front range? Feel free to get in touch with any of the helpful folks below on the following topics:
Greater Denver Area
Dan Odell, TC Woods, 303-666-8989
Ryan Dirksen and Marina Chotzinoff, Where Wood Meets Steel, 720-318-6521
Scott Bennett, Housefish, 720-295-5068
Chris Connor, Connor Wood Bicycles, 720-369-9881
Kent Mace, CS Woods, 720-278-7797
Daniel Louis, Revampt Goods, 720-536-5464
James Hixson, Black Hound Design Company, 720-441-3949
Geoff Cleveland, Cleveland Creek Log Furniture, 303-590-1441
Jacob Uhl, Corvus Design Build, 814-404-1146
Charlie Adams, Cypress Arboriculture, 307-620-1192
Larry Larsen, Token Creek Cedar, 608-240-1099
Seth Cope, Whistling Duck Furniture Co., 720-442-7779
Terry Gonder, Cherry Creek Designs LLC, 720-382-3591- The main goal of Cherry Creek Designs LLC is to collect wood that is normally placed in a land fills or used for firewood and turn them into goods.
Matthew Mayo, Preservation Tree Care, 303-870-1634-Preservation Tree Care works with a number of mills to turn the wood into lumber either as specified by the mill or by the owner. The materials can then be used for a multitude of things.
Greater Boulder Area
Ricardo Martinez, Wood in 2 Wood, 541-419-3031
Aaron Taddikin, Taddikin Tree Care, 720-375-0715
Jessica Schimpf, Reclaimed West, 303-775 0349
Jon Hubert, Singing Saw Woodworks, 303-588-0349
Evan Kinsley, Sustainable Arborworks,
Greater Fort Collins Area
Ryan Baldwin, Baldwin Woodworking, 970-219-6887
Josh Fine, Fine Tree Service, 970-567-2005
Nowell Vincent and Megan Tennant, Forte Design Studios, 970-556-8339
Justin Larson, Vaught Frye Larson Architects, 970-224-1191, 719-310-1138
Greater Colorado Springs
Mitchell Dillman, Colorado Rock ’N Logs & Colorado Springs Sawmill, (719) 310-1138
Scott Rogers, Wood-Mizer Colorado: Sawmill sales, parts, training, 719-966-9320
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