Though trees are considered a renewable resource, not all wood products are created equal. These days you can buy furniture, flooring, and decorative items made from trees that grow on the other side of the world. If this is the case, we know a lot of energy was spent getting the tree from where it grew to where it was sold (plus everywhere in between). What might not cross our minds as consumers is the fact that some imported wood is logged illegally. This often involves rapid deforestation that leads to increased carbon emissions and massive habitat destruction. There are so many steps between harvesting trees and buying a wood product that it’s hard to be sure that your next purchase won’t contribute to this global issue… unless you opt for wood products with a zip code.
Rick and Cindy Siewert, Jon Buck, and the rest of the crew at Wood from the Hood works with conscientious residents and responsible tree removal services to reclaim urban lumber and turn it into flooring, conference tables, cribbage boards, whatever you can dream up – they take on custom projects too – made from local, legally harvested trees… repurposing at it’s finest. Wood from the Hood even lists the zip code from which the tree was harvested.
In addition to being local legends, the Wood from the Hood crew has been busy milling lumber and making serving platters for the upcoming dinners. Can’t wait to see them!
If there is a tree in your yard that you’d like to have reclaimed and reused, check out the Frequently Asked Questions for information on the next step. And check out the beautiful wood from the hood platters at an upcoming dinner on the farm event! Schedule here.
Monica Rauchwarter
