Wisconsin Urban Wood (WUW) and the City of Marshfield have joined efforts in a “Use Agreement” that serves as the conduit between the city’s logs and WUW’s sawmill and woodworker partners in the area. Through the use agreement, WUW members are granted access to the city’s marshalling yard to recover and remove city logs. The use agreement reduces disposal costs and the wood finds its way back into the community in beautiful ways.

Every year thousands of trees are removed from Wisconsin’s streets, backyards, parks and other green spaces due to storms, construction, disease or insects such as the Emerald Ash Borer. This process costs money and time for municipalities while bringing little value back to the community. Much of this removed urban wood is suitable for lumber, flooring, furniture, art, architectural design and household goods. By establishing this urban wood use agreement, Marshfield can utilize this local, sustainable and renewable resource to boost the local economy and reduce community expenses.

WUW is an organization committed to the social, economic and ecological benefits of urban trees. WUW’s motto is Trees First, Wood Next.  WUW members like the City of Marshfield share the understanding that trees are most beneficial to communities when those trees are growing healthy and strong, but when urban trees must be removed, WUW’s goal is to find the highest use for the removed wood. Through the WUW partnership of municipalities, arborists, sawyers, kiln operators, makers, artisans, retailers, architects, organizations and advocates, those trees are connected with local processors and woodworkers so the trees can be used for their highest and best uses in lumber, flooring, furniture, art, architecture, and a variety of goods made from wood. WUW is poised to help individuals and businesses looking to expand their operation or start a new business dedicated to urban wood.

Mike Hanson, artisan and owner of Heritage LogCraft, was an integral part in creating the use agreement between WUW and the City of Marshfield. Mike enjoys working on projects that are unique, challenging, and foster the connection between the wood and the community it came from. Now that the agreement is in place, Mike says that he is excited to work with the city, local school districts and other community wood workers to use Marshfield’s urban wood at its highest use.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact:

• Kari Divine, Wisconsin Urban Wood, (608) 622-7212
• Mark Ryskiewicz, City of Marshfield, (715) 486-2073
• URL: WisconsinUrbanWood.org