NC Urban Wood Group

11/15/2023

Today is National Recycling Day! No better way to recycle than join the urban wood movement.

I am presently at the Memphis Urban and Community Wood Academy and learning how people across the southeast, and in other states, are honoring the full circle of a tree's life. This means downed trees in cities and towns need to be converted to lumber, slabs, firewood, mulch and biochar ... no part of the dead tree's wasted.

Does your community have an urban wood management plan (how to manage wood debris from land clearings for development or residential property)? Do you have a storm debris management plan? If not, think how you can part of the solution for keeping beautiful, quality wood out of the landfill and into the hands of woodworkers and wood energy users.

11/08/2023

Let's talk about champion big trees in our urban forests! As much as we love addressing sustainable use of urban wood, we shouldn't forget that majestic giants exist in our midst and deserve our protection. How should we document and conserve these trees, many of which are older than our nation?

Register for next week's NC Community Tree Webinar to learn the answers. Eric Wiseman, an associate professor in urban forestry at VA Tech will be our presenter via Zoom, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST on 14 November. Register today at https://www.ncufc.org/event.php?id=106

11/06/2023

Thank you to all who attended the Wild Edge Woodcraft Open House! Approximately 70 people attended, many of whom didn't know that the NC Urban Wood Group existed. And everyone was amazed that Avery Earwood's HUGE woodworking shop has been open to the public for only 3 years. As Avery said, "I've been hustling!" and these photos prove it.

11/03/2023

Come learn about urban wood at Wild Edge Woodcraft, located at 1715 Berea Road in Rougemont (north of Durham)!

This is a FREE open house event on Saturday 4 November from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, organized by the NC Urban Wood Group with support from a grant from the NC Forest Service. There will be two demonstrations: epoxy workshop at 10:30 a.m & 1:00 p.m. and sawmill at 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Avery Earwood and his wife Shannon are opening up their workshop to help the public understand how trees cut down on your property can become keepsake furniture. Enjoy a southern BBQ lunch while visiting with woodworkers. You can also get a 50% discount on Avery Earwood's slabs and lumber. Learn more at https://www.wildedgewoodcraft.com/

11/02/2023

is a new communications platform that the Society of American Foresters & its partners are using to promote tree based solutions when addressing climate change. This video explains how urban wood utilizations helps the environment and creates jobs.

Planting and maintaining trees is an essential part of growing a climate-resilient city. But, as we plant more trees and grow the tree canopy in our communities…

10/31/2023

In the near future a 10-acre repository for urban wood will exist in Memphis, TN.

The national nonprofit organization Urban Wood Economy is working with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Forestry, The Works Inc. plus others to create this "biomass campus". All trees harvested within city limits and along the wildland interface will find a temporary resting spot in the Klondike neighborhood. Staff will process the urban wood into lumber, biochar and compost.

More information is available at https://uweconomy.org/project/memphis-urban-wood/

10/26/2023

Calling all arborists, landscape contractors and sawyers to a FREE tour of in Rougemont, NC, on Saturday 4 November.

Avery and Shannon Earwood are opening their workshop to showcase how they transform urban wood into functional works of art. Learn how they operate their own sawmill and drying kiln, complete their own millwork, design and construct each hand crafted product, and even deliver and install the product in the home or business of each client.

Register today at https://www.ncufc.org/event.php?id=111

10/19/2023

Curious how sawmill blades are created? Watch this video of the fabrication process at Southeastern Metals in Georgia.

https://youtu.be/2vJaTGEparI?si=nya10DCYfMc6BCEt

10/16/2023

Want a quick reference of wood characteristics for different trees found in cities and towns? Check out this resource from Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It summarizes the uses and workability of 15 tree species commonly found in urban communities.
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/forestry/urban/Wood%20Characteristics.pdf?emci=46b2808a-da69-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&emdi=363f5b73-336c-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&ceid=12710590

10/13/2023

Check it out! Urban wood utilization is one of 16 objectives that must be met for an urban & community forest to achieve sustainability certification. Any governmental or non-governmental organization or business can apply for certification; even managers of hospital and university grounds.

Explore the guidance from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative online at
https://forests.org/sfi-urban-forestry-standard/?utm_source=saf&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=urban

10/11/2023

Register for the FREE webinar about firewood banks, scheduled for Thursday 19 October (12-1pm).

Firewood remains a common and affordable heating source for households in suburban and rural areas of the United States. Groups of volunteers make and distribute firewood to the individuals who need it the most. Learn how firewood banks operate and what the opportunities and limitations are for their growth.

Register today at https://www.ncufc.org/event.php?id=110

10/06/2023

The University of Virginia now offers a 3-credit course on urban wood. Course participants will acquire skills in sawmill operation as well as the design and construction of a timber-frame structure. Only trees salvaged on the UVA campus will be used for the course.

Use the following link to learn more about the university's sawmilling program

https://www.uvasawmilling.com/?{{{EngagementData}}}&emci=13ab3c16-3261-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid={{ContactsEmailID}}