Summer 2014 - ISA Southern Chapter

I N T E R N A T I O N A L
S O C I E T Y
O F
A R B O R I C U L T U R E
Southern
Chapter News
SUMMER 2014
Southern Chapter ISA
Dwayne Carter, Exec. Director & Treasurer
213 Apollo Drive
Mt. Airy, NC 27030
2014-2015 State Directors
Alabama: Beau Brodbeck
Gulf Coast Research & Extension Center
8300 Hwy 104
Fairhope, AL 36532
(251) 259-6507
brodbam@auburn.edu
Arkansas: Patti Erwin
Arkansas Forestry Commission
2752 North Garland Avenue
Fayetteville, AR 72704
(479) 442-4963
patti.erwin@arkansas.gov
Georgia: Nancy Beckemeyer
Georgia Power Company
1697 Montreal Circle
Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 621-2439
nsbeckem@southernco.com
Louisiana: Zefferino Vonkurnatowski
Biggz Professional Tree Care
Baton Rouge, LA
(225) 205-0706
biggztreeservices@gmail.com
Mississippi: Billy Kelly
4-County Electric Power Association
1287 Yeates Subdivision Road
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 386-7448
billy.kelly@4county.org
North Carolina: Joshua Franz
Carolina Tree Care
520 Webb Road
Concord, NC 28025
jfranz@carolinatree.com
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:
(open)
South Carolina: Tim Gillette
City of Tega Cay
PO Box 3399
Tega Cay, SC 29708
(803) 548-3512
tgillette@tegacay.com
Tennessee: Eric Bridges
2248 Tidmington Drive
Cordova, TN 38016
(901) 213-8733
precisionforestry@gmail.com
At-Large: Kay Reed
Atlanta, GA
(770) 330-6582
kreed147@gmail.com
Southern Chapter ISA
Website: www.isasouthern.org
Phone: (336) 789-4747, (888) 339-8733
Fax: (336) 789-0202
E-mail: dcarter@isasouthern.org
waste not
want not
see story on page 4
Solutions Through
Innovations and Expertise.
Davey Resource Group’s
Summer Safety continued from page 3
Safety and production are inseparable at Asplundh.
is
how
we
operate – day in and day out. The safest crews are our most productive crews.
Equipped with proper tools, training and supervision, our people are always prepared
to do the job in a safe, efficient manner.
at Asplundh is the only way
to get the job done.
Alabama/Northeast MS
Arkansas
Eastern Carolinas
Western Carolinas
Steve Bostock
Utah Villines
Doug Smith
Barry Suddreth
Phone: 205-685-4000
reg052@asplundh.com
Phone: 870-365-6253
reg636@asplundh.com
Phone: 919-329-7415
reg056@asplundh.com
Phone: 704-523-3621
reg049@asplundh.com
Georgia
LA / MS / FL Panhandle
Tennessee
Wilmer McWhirter
Brian Walters
Gene Hayden
Phone: 478-781-7995
reg051@asplundh.com
Phone: 228-396-5810
reg042@asplundh.com
Phone: 615-346-7256
reg067@asplundh.com
other location that could increase the employee’s potential
for heat stress. Also consider age, weight, degree of fitness,
alcohol or medicines. I urge you to become familiar with the
symptoms of each of these and know what to do.
With summertime comes many leisure activities like
swimming and grilling out. When swimming, ensure a
responsible adult is watching the inexperienced swimmers.
If you are responsible for supervising that means no texting,
reading or talking on the phone. When boating, ensure all
occupants wear an approved life jacket. Only dive into
familiar waters — this applies to pools, lakes, rivers, etc.
When grilling, it is recommended the grill be kept 10 feet
away from any combustable object. Fires should only be
started by a responsible adult. Propane tanks should not be
stored inside the home. Lastly, when grilling, make sure the
grill is not left unattended.
Probably one of the least talked about safety concerns
during the summer is driving. We tend to see more drivers
on the road, whether it is families traveling on vacation,
students home from college, teenagers out from high school
etc. It’s always best to minimize distractions while behind
the wheel. Observe posted speed limit signs and know your
route before you get on the road.
If your company has a safety program in place, follow
protocol to familiarize yourself with their recommendations
on staying safe in the summer. If your company does not
have an established safety program, please utilize this or
some of the following links to educate yourself on staying
safe. Maybe you could mention the topic to get conversation
going at a work briefing, the water cooler, etc.
Until next time.....stay safe out there!
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress
www.cancer.org/healthy/besafeinthesun
www.livescience.com/38553-staying-hydrated-in-the-heat
www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety
www.safercar.gov/summerdrivingtips
PAGE 2
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
team of experienced
urban and utility
foresters, arborists, and
scientists is the largest in
the industry. Our clients
trust us for proven
solutions that are
innovative and
customized – the right
resources when and
where you need them.
Utility Services:
Asset Management and Vegetation Management
Natural Resource Consulting:
Urban Forestry Consulting and Ecological Services
Project Management/Specialized Consulting
www.daveyresourcegroup.com • info@davey.com • 800.828.8312
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
PAGE 15
Tree bark filters clean urban stormwater
reprinted from peopleandtreesincities.wordpress.com
I had a pretty exciting Earth Day. I spent the morning on
assignment for the US Forest Service Northern Research Station
documenting installation of a treatment device that uses filters
filled with tree bark to clean urban stormwater.
The filter boxes were installed by the Parks and People
Foundation under the guidance of their Green Infrastructure
Manager Christina Bradley, ASLA, LEED AP BD+C. The
crew was already on the job when I arrived, preparing the pretreatment box for installation.
The filters are designed by the US Forest Service Forest
Products Lab and use ponderosa pine bark pellets (see bottom
picture). The pellets fill cages that the water flows through for
treatment. There are three cages of pellets in each treatment box.
The water flows into the pre-treatment box and then into dual,
side-by-side treatment boxes and to an outflow at the rear. The
set up installed looks like this, left to right: Inflow, pre-treatment,
dual treatment boxes, outflow (see picture on page 15).
USFS NRS will assist with the monitoring plan so we can see
if we’re making a difference. But don’t worry – this is not a shot
in the dark. USFS FPL has a history of using these devices for
over a decade. They have been used in agricultural and coal mine
applications, but this is the very first time they have been used in
an urban stormwater application.
Many thanks to Baltimore City, Parks and People, USFS FPL
and USFS NRS for using trees to improve water quality.
ECI ad
please place
$%#+&#&'5(+0$%(
$%#+&#&'5(+0$%( &# *(#"&"&*$$#%'
&%+&' #%'#'"&#-#*%*( '-2
Summer Safety: What is it? Message from the President, John Morris
Recent news of the precious life that was lost in the
Atlanta area due to the extreme heat in an enclosed vehicle
got me thinking just how dangerous the heat really is,
especially when you consider the nature of our work. But,
there is more to summer safety than just the heat!
If you’ve lived in the South any length of time, you’ve
probably heard, “It’s not the heat but the humidity that will
get you.” Well, that isn’t entirely correct, but that’s for the
weather geeks to explain. So, heat, how do we manage it?
Always remember, the sun is the strongest between the
hours of 10am-2pm. If you can, limit your time spent outside
during these hours. If your work requires you to be outside,
you should plan brief water breaks in the shade to rehydrate.
Speaking of hydrating, water is the best. Sport drinks are
good, but you should limit them during periods of extreme
exertion to limit stress on the kidneys. That’s not to say
sports drinks should be avoided, just drink more water than
sports drinks. Often times, hydration begins the day before.
Just ask a professional athlete, and they’ll say that they start
hydrating days before an event. I’ve seen our competitors
in the ISASC TCC keeping hydrated — they are athletes, if
y’all didn’t know that already. Just remember, don’t wait until
you’re thirsty to drink more water/fluids, it could be too late.
I think most of you are aware of the damage the sun’s
rays can do to your skin. Most of us probably know a friend
or family member who has dealt with the various types of
skin damage. Explore different ways for you to protect your
skin when working outdoors. It is recommended that at least
an SPF 15 be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure. Be
sure to reapply every 2 hours if swimming or sweating. If
sunscreen isn’t your thing, then maybe you could wear a wide
brim hat, long sleeves that breath, etc. Technology isn’t just
reserved for electronics; clothing has come a long way. There
are numerous options for shirts and pants that can cover your
skin and still keep you cool. Seek out clothing that is lighter
colored to help reflect some of the sun’s harmful rays, which
can also keep your core temperature cool.
Heat-related ailments (heat stress) can be dangerous, and
sometimes fatal, if not treated appropriately. Heat stroke
is the most serious. It occurs when the body’s temperature
regulation fails, and body temperature rises to critical levels,
creating a medical emergency that can be fatal. This might
be a good time to remind all of you to become familiar with
your company’s policy on what to do in medical emergency
situations. Heat exhaustion is a result of the combination of
excessive heat and dehydration. Untreated, heat exhaustion
can lead to heat stroke. Heat cramps are usually the result
of hard physical labor in a hot environment, often resulting
from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
There are numerous factors involved in making someone
more susceptible to heat stress. Work operations involving
high air temps, radiant heat sources, high humidity or any
continued on page 15
.-( *!
!'
%!!!
$!
Nationwide 24/7 crisis
response
$"%
599<&&&&&!"'&
'%' """#%'(#""!"'
%#%!+ *(#"0+ #$!"'6!$ !"'(#"
((#""%#&&#" '"&&*$$#%'
$!
$!%
#"'%'%#%&'&0*'#%&"#% ""%&
*&'#!%#((#"$ &'&
'#%!&'#%(#"##%"'#%&
!
#' "3*%"5-4%+&
'#*'#"0&#"&"
$1CA995B:B5B;@=
CD"!
%,#%"!"'#,%
*.'# (#"-&'!&
'%#*&"
#% """0"$$"#,%
PAGE 14
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
!!
!
* & $1CB:A5A<>5>>=>
!$ $1CA:<5B?:5@A?<
Unmatched safety record
Contact your Nelson representative today
to discuss your vegetation management needs:
$!,!
$!, !
Industry leading
equipment resources
(
&&&+, $!+
Bob Turner Jr. at 1-856-694-4100
Highest standards for
crew professionalism
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
PAGE 3
Got wood?
by Steve Bratkovich, Dovetail Partners, Inc.
In 2011, U.S. citizens consumed more than 41 billion board
feet of lumber, plus huge quantities of panel products like
plywood and oriented strand board. This wood was used in new
construction, remodeling, flooring, furniture, cabinets, and so
on. It’s still surprising to many that our nation is a net importer
of solid wood products even though our rural forestland can
appear endless. What is shocking is that we still landfill or use
for low-value products much of our urban forest when trees succumb to storms, pests, development, etc.
Tree services are a vital link (some would say the KEY
link) to better use (more complete utilization) of urban/community trees. Why? The answer is two-fold. First, tree service
firms work with the resource (trees) everyday. They know
where and when a tree will be cut, whether it is on a city boulevard or in someone’s front or back yard. Second, most tree
services have much of the equipment necessary to capture the
“value” in a standing tree (chain saws, trucks, chippers), and
the employees to get the job done.
Today, there are many portable saw mill owners who process
fallen city trees. There are also a number of small kilns that
convert wet lumber to dry. There is also a nationwide movement
to buy “local” – from vegetables to hardwood floors. These reasons make urban tree-use practical in many communities.
Tree services that think strategically can stand out from the
continued on page 6
2013 was a busy year with the launch of the Urban
Wood Group pages on the NCUFC website (www.ncufc.
org), a Charlotte Arborist Association presentation,
attending another workshop in Maryland and hosting the
third NC Urban Wood Utilization workshop in Charlotte.
Brian Knox of Eco-Goats (www.eco-goats.com)
presented on identifying the best log in a tree (finding
the pumpkin) and working with mill operators.
2014 finds the NCFS in partnership with the Virginia
Department of Forestry and the Georgia Forestry
Commission working on a federal grant to better
understand current practices and perceptions so we
can develop outreach materials and tools to improve
the utilization of urban wood. We anticipate an email
survey link being sent to communities and arborists in
North Carolina in August of 2014.
The NC Urban Wood Group has 22 members at the
core representing municipalities, commercial arborists,
mill and kiln operators, university staff, the NCFS,
utilities, and the NCUFC.
We are always looking for new members and ideas.
If you have an interest in Urban Wood Utilization and
would like to be added to my email distribution list,
e-mail me at eric.muecke@ncagr.gov or call me at
(828) 438-3795 x205. I would like to set up an
informational meeting in August or September, 2014,
to set some goals and develop a plan to spread the word
on urban wood utilization.
A simple kiln drier.

PinnacleArborist.com
Little Rock, Arkansas, 501
501-663-8733 pinnaclesupplies@att.net
Tulsa, Oklahoma 918
918-583-9151
PAGE 4
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
PAGE 13
Waste not, want not
by Eric Muecke, Urban Forestry Specialist, NC Forest Service
Urban wood provides beautiful grain patterns.
The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) has teamed up with the NC
Urban Forest Council (NCUFC) to develop the NC Urban Wood Group.
The goal of the group is to promote the use of urban wood for its highest
and best use. The origin of the group began in 2010 with Bill Hascher of
Biltmore Estate and Susan Roderick, formerly of Asheville Greenworks.
Utilizing an NCFS Urban and Community Forestry program Federal Grant,
we began planning a workshop.
In May of 2011, I attended the Cal-Fire urban wood utilization
workshop in San Francisco. I met with speakers Sam Sherrill (author of
Harvesting Urban Timber), Kathryn Fernholz and Steve Bratkovich (of
Dovetail Partners Inc. www.dovetailinc.org) and Jessica Simons (Natural
Resource Specialist, Southeast Michigan RC&D).
In October of 2011, NC held its first Urban Wood Utilization
workshop at Biltmore Estate. The NC Forest Service partnered with
the NCUFC, Biltmore Estate and Asheville Greenworks to bring Sam,
Kathryn, Steve and Jessica in for the conference. The first day was
indoor presentations and the second day was a demonstration at the
Asheville Visitor Center. The audience was final product based with
portable mill owners, kiln operators, artisans and craftsmen. Final
products included timber framing, ornamental boxes, flooring and
molding, cabinets, bowls and pens.
June of 2012 brought the urban wood utilization message east to
Durham. The theme turned to bio-fuels and biochar. The interest was in
reducing the amount of wood going into the waste stream and addressing
renewable energy resources.
Seamless automation...
from the field to the office...
and back again.
VMSuite is the software you need to increase productivity,
lower costs and achieve compliance.
And not just any people - people who are well trained and
ArborMetrics people consistently deliver more accuracy and
understand utility vegetation management. We invest in our
efficiency as they perform:
arborists’ safety training, technology and communication skills
• Electronic Work Planning
to ensure professionalism.
Our proprietary software, ArborLine, streamlines the
management and use of the data we collect in the field.
• ArborLine® for GIS Data
Scan this to learn more
about ArborLine®.
Collection/Reporting
• Proven Project Management
• Professional Landowner
Notifications
• Quality Assurance Audits
Your complete VM Software Suite.
Give us a call and meet our people today!
www.arbormetrics.com • 1-866-685-1880
866.280.1349 terra-spectrum.com
PAGE 12
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
PAGE 5
Got wood? continued from page 4
competition. For example, think about the homeowner who is
dismayed about removing a large, front-yard tree. The homeowner
might choose your bid for removal rather than a competitor if an
option existed to convert some of the tree into a table, chair, or
flooring. This doesn’t mean you should get into furniture making,
but some arborists “connect the dots” and have a mill lined up for
log processing (and maybe lumber drying) and another person for
fabrication of the product.
Tree services who think “utilization” beyond just firewood and
mulch can save money by making fewer cuts on a log, reducing
transportation costs, and decreasing tipping fees.
I met Jimmy Everett of Everett Tree Service a few weeks ago
when I was in Raleigh, NC. Jimmy sells many of his sawlogs
to a traditional log yard (sawlog and pulpwood buyer). Jimmy
said, “I have to truck tree parts somewhere, so why not get paid
for them?” Jimmy thinks it’s a “no brainer” economically to
utilize trees.
Jill Johnson, Midwest Urban Forestry Coordinator, USFS,
recommends these websites to learn more about utilizing
urban wood:
The Wood Education Resource Center: www.na.fs.fed.us/werc/
Urban Forest Products Alliance: www.linkedin.com/groups/
Urban-Forest-Products-Alliance-2871768/about
2014-2015 Southern Chapter Officers
Executive Director: Dwayne Carter
Carter Utility Tree Service
213 Apollo Drive, Mount Airy, NC 27030
(336) 789-4747 dcarter@isasouthern.org
President: John Morris
Alabama Power, 3216 Lorna Road, Hoover, AL 35216
(205) 226-2850, jsmorris@southernco.com
President Elect: Michella Huff
City of Mount Airy, 300 S Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030
(336) 786-3593, mhuff@mountairy.com
Vice President: Jon Balkcom
Georgia Power Company, 241 Ralph McGill Blvd NE,
Bin 20034, Atlanta, GA 30308, (404) 506-3650,
jbalkcom@southernco.com
Chapter Representative: Tom Wolf
Wolf Tree, 3310 Greenway Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 687-3400, twolf@wolftreeinc.com
Conference Planner: Martha Minix
213 Apollo Drive, Mount Airy, NC 27030
(336) 789-4747, martha@cutsnc.com
Tree Fund Liaison: Beau Brodbeck
Gulf Coast Research, 8300 Hwy 104, Fairhope, AL 36532
(251) 259-6507, brodbam@auburn.edu
Past President: Karl Pokorny
TreeSouth, LLC, PO Box 1175, Seneca, SC 29679
(864) 882-8262, karlpokorny@bellsouth.net
Editor: Sarah Mitchell
(336) 409-7805, sarahmitchell@live.com
Earn CEUs with this
4-part Online Course
Tree appraisals play an important role in tree inventories,
real-estate transactions, plant condemnation actions,
insurance claims, and more. But, what exactly is
involved in establishing a correct appraisal?
The American Society of Consulting Arborists
(ASCA) is now offering a course that explores the
technical aspects of replacement cost and trunk
formula methods—size, species, condition, and
location—providing you with the tools to perform
any appraisal with confidence.
Instructors
Dr. James Clark, RCA #357
Brian Gilles, RCA #418
Lisa Hammer, RCA #333
CEUs
ASCA and ISA have approved this
4-part online course for 4 CEUs.
Register Now asca-consultants.org.
Members of the Southern Chapter of ISA receive a 5% discount off the
non-member rate when using the code SCappr when registering.
PAGE 6
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
PAGE 11
Upcoming Events
ALABAMA
August 22, 2014
The Alabama Cooperative Extension will host
“Trees, Trucks, and Powerlines” in Thomasville.
Contact Jack Rowe at (251) 589-5572 for more
information.
GEORGIA
August 2, 2014 - Clayton. (706) 429-8010
August 9, 2014 - Dohlonega. (706) 429-8010
“Hemlock Help Clinic”
August 2, 9, 16, 23
and September 6, 13, 20, 2014
Trees Atlanta will host “TreeKeeper
Certification” at the Kendeda Center.
Contact Kate Baltzell at (404) 681-4897.
August 6, 2014
Trees Atlanta will host “Fruit and Nut Tree
Panel” at Trees Atlanta in Atlanta.
Contact Kate Baltzell at (404) 681-4897.
August 21, 2014
The University of Georgia Dekalb County
Extension will host the Georgia Arborist
Association Summer Conference in Decatur.
Contact Gary Peiffer at (404) 298-4080).
August 21, 2014
The Georgia Urban Forest Council will present
the “GUFC Third Quarterly Program: Trees,
Rain Gardens, and Green Infrastructure
Projects” in Macon. Contact Mary Lynne
Beckley at (404) 377-0404.
September 17, 2014
Trees Atlanta will host “Let it be an Oak” at
Trees Atlanta in Atlanta. Contact Kate Baltzell
at (404) 681-4897 for more information.
September 17, 2014
The Georgia Urban Forest Council will present
“GUFC College Canopy Conference” at
Berry College. Contact Mary Lynne Beckley
at (404) 377-0404.
MISSISSIPPI
July 17, 2014
The Professional Arborist Assoc. of Mississippi
and the ISA Southern Chapter will host an Educational Seminar in Emergency Response and
Aerial Rescue at the 4-County Electric Power
Assoc. Corporate Center in Columbus. Visit
www.isasouthern.org or call the Chapter office at
(888) 339-8733.
NORTH CAROLINA
August 12 - 15, 2014
The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape
Association will host the “2014 Summer Green
Road Show” in Raleigh. Contact NCNLA at
(919) 816-9119.
August 12 - 14, 2014
The North Carolina Urban Forest Council
will host the “7th Annual NC Urban Forestry
Conference - No Urban Forest is Safe From a
Changing Climate” in Raleigh. Contact NCUFC
at (919) 614-6388.
in Control
SOUTH CAROLINA
August 13, 2014
The South Carolina Vegetation Management
Association will host the “2014 SCVMA Annual
Field Day” in Columbia. Contact Ken Caldwell
at (803) 377-4155.
TENNESSEE
September 11, 2014
University of Tennessee will host the “Turf &
Ornamental Field Day.” with breakout sessions.
www.utk.edu
Urban Wood Webcast —Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Connection Information: Connect your computer/mobile device to the Adobe Connect web meeting:
https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/werc/. Keep “Enter as a Guest” selected. Type your name or location
(if multiple people are joining together) into the “name” box. Click “Enter Room.” Dial in to the
teleconference for audio: 888-844-9904; access code: 7578516 (you might want to use phone for the
audio.) Need Help with Adobe Connect? Contact Adobe Connect support at 800-422-3623.
Achieve Productivity, Safety & Control
The Jarraff All-Terrain Tree Trimmer puts you in control of
productivity, profits and safety. With unmatched capabilities in the
field, the Jarraff All-Terrain Tree Trimmer has redefined Right-of-Way
maintenance making crews more productive and efficient, while
adding a new level of safety and control to the industry.
The Jarraff All-Terrain Tree Trimmer can outperform conventional
trimming techniques at a rate of nearly 5-to-1! That type of
productivity can put more to the bottom line.
Take control of your ROW Maintenance operations with the
Jarraff All-Terrain Tree Trimmer.
s ROPS, FOPS & OPS Certified Cab
s Wheeled & Track Models Available
s 75-ft Cutting Height
s 360-degree Range of Motion
s Over 30 Years of Experience
www.jarraff.com
800.767.7112
CERTIFIED
PAGE 10
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
PAGE 7
A unique opportunity from each tree
by Eric Bridges, TN Director
Across the country, communities are adopting urban wood utilization
programs. It’s a fascinating emerging market and there are hundreds of
stories of wood reclamation after disasters such as ice storms or invasive
species attacks. For examples, check out Chicago’s urban wood utilization program or “Wood from the Hood” out of Minneapolis.
The use of urban trees for long-term wood products opens a market
for urban forests that has typically been restricted to rural forests, that
is carbon markets. By utilizing urban trees for furniture, flooring, art,
and other long lasting products, the carbon sequestered by the tree can
remain in storage and could qualify for carbon offset credits.
Tennessee, like many states, is constantly dealing with or preparing
to deal with threats to the urban forest. All aspects of our arboricultural industry — municipal, commercial, and utility — are fully embracing urban-wood utilization. I’ll spotlight one company right here
in Memphis, Woodland Tree Products, but there are wood-products
operators doing wonderful urban-tree reclamation all across the state.
Terran Arwood, founder and president of Woodland Tree Service in
Memphis, knew that there had to be a better use for some of the large,
old trees they were removing from properties in town. Most of us are
now accustomed to seeing urban wood used for mulch and firewood
instead of being landfilled … thank goodness. However, Arwood thought
there had to a something “a
little more dignified for these
old trees.” Each tree presented a
unique opportunity to craft something. “You can’t reproduce what
Mother Nature does,” Arwood
insists. Thus, he founded
Woodland Tree Products.
To maximize the potential
for each unique piece of wood,
Woodland hired a Memphis College of Art graduate to design
the custom furniture and match
the wood to the user. They often
work with households who have
to remove their favorite tree and
want to keep it in the family.
What a great opportunity to educate both children and adults about how the value of a tree, if treated
properly, doesn’t stop when the tree dies. Woodland now custom
builds furniture out of at least twenty different species of trees, all of
them from local sources. They focus on wood with lots of character in
the grain, color, and texture, making each piece of furniture unique.
If you’re in Memphis, you should really give them a call or stop by to
look at their operation. They’d love to show you around. Of course you
can and should visit their website (woodlandtreeproducts.com) and get
lost in the gallery of great photos, but nothing is quite as impressive as
standing at the 14-foot conference table made from 150-year-old Eastern
redcedar straight from Rowan Oak, the William Faulkner estate.
So, hats off to Woodland and all the other woodworkers in Tennessee making better use of this important resource.
PAGE 8
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2014
PAGE 9