Urban wood is a broad term for wood salvaged from trees removed for reasons other than lumber production. These removals often result from disease, storm damage, hazard mitigation, or development. At Urban Evolutions, we partner with municipalities and arborists to salvage these trees, giving them a second life as beautiful and functional building materials.
Each year in the U.S., 12.7 million metric tons of urban wood logs are chipped, burned, or sent to landfills. Much of this material could instead be processed into high-quality lumber. Salvaging urban wood reduces disposal costs for municipalities, diverts waste from landfills, and helps reduce pressure on commercial forests.
Trees capture and store carbon throughout their lives. That carbon is only released when a tree decomposes or burns. Milling salvaged trees into lumber allows that carbon to remain stored in products for decades, alleviating emissions that would otherwise enter the atmosphere.
Urban wood in the U.S. could sequester up to 5.7 million metric tons of carbon annually if preserved as building materials. Capturing even 20% of this lumber each year would equal the carbon offset of planting 154 million trees and growing them for 10 years.
Urban wood provides more than environmental benefits — it also strengthens local circular economies. Using felled city trees as lumber reduces reliance on imports and provides builders with unique species and cleaner grades not always found in traditional reclaimed sources. This resource creates consistent local supply chains while expanding design possibilities.
Urban wood supports local economies at every step of the process. Municipal forestry departments save on disposal costs, while small regional sawmills and processors gain valuable business. By working together, we keep the value of this resource within our communities.
Since 2021, our Urban Wood Program has worked with municipalities across Wisconsin to salvage and process trees into usable lumber. To date, we’ve saved 912 tons of urban wood from the waste stream — a carbon offset equal to burning 63,000 gallons of gasoline or driving 1.1 million miles. And we’re just getting started.
Once a common street tree, ash has been devastated by the Emerald Ash Borer. While the insect kills the tree, it does not damage the lumber, making ash a strong, sustainable hardwood option.
Oaks are abundant in Wisconsin but under pressure in commercial markets. Salvaging urban oak reduces forest stress and provides a local source of this high-demand species.
Once the iconic street tree of the 20th century, elm populations have been reduced by Dutch Elm disease. Today, salvaged urban elm provides a rare and beautiful species for building and design.
Urban wood represents a chance to rethink how we value and use natural resources. By giving felled city trees a second life, we reduce waste, preserve carbon, and support our local economies. At Urban Evolutions, we’re proud to lead in this work and we invite you to explore our Urban Wood Program or contact our team to learn how this material can bring beauty and sustainability to your next project.