Community wood utilization is the processing of wood materials from urban trees that would otherwise be discarded. Expanding every tree’s potential.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wood materials, especially from urban forests, are the largest contributor to municipal waste.
46M
Tons of urban tree wood in landfills every year
130M
Acres of urban forests in the U.S.
17%
Municipal waste is wood
$2.4T
Worth of benefits of urban trees
Full circle management
Community wood utilization is an important part of the full circle management process. This process is the continuous improvement, service, and management of healthy urban and community forests.
It uses best practices for tree care from the moment trees are planted until after they’re removed. The approach creates a sustainable and efficient system where community wood resources are used to their highest value, reducing waste and benefiting local economies.
The full circle includes:
Evaluate – Determine where trees are and where they are needed
Plan – Develop plans to address needs
Plant – Place the right tree in the right place in the right way
Maintain – Deliver expert care to established trees
Manage – Sustain the health of the community forest
Utilize – Ensure wood that must be removed is put to its highest use
Southern community wood utilization group
Learn more about Community Wood Utilization and ongoing efforts in the Southeast.
Community wood utilization encompasses a process of four distinct stages and stakeholders:
Wood suppliers
Wood suppliers are urban forest managers or professionals who remove or contract the removal of publicly owned trees. Due to the acquisition of these trees at later stages in the utilization process, wood suppliers benefit from reduced transportation and disposal costs.
Primary producers
Primary producers consist of sawyers and millers who use the trees, provided by the wood suppliers, to create logs, planks, chips, and other lumber products. Primary suppliers benefit from a lower cost of raw materials and transportation.
Secondary producers
Secondary producers consist of furniture makers, artists, and wood makers, who create valuable retail end products from materials provided by primary producers.
Final product
The final products of urban and community trees have increased monetary and cultural value, which is reinvested into the community. This can include furniture, art, and lumber.
A challenge in making a circular economy work in cities is getting everyone involved to work together when they have limited time and resources. Connect to wood networks in your community by signing up for the Southern Community Wood Utilization Group.
