How Communities Can Benefit from Urban Tree Recycling

Many communities and other local governmental units are faced not only with the volume of tree removals but with the associated financial costs as well. Rising removal and transportation costs, increased landfill or tipping fees, and lost opportunity costs (money that cannot be spent elsewhere in the community) create a financial burden for managers of municipal tree programs. This presentation focuses on how urban tree recycling can be transformed into a cost-avoidance (money saving) strategy. Examples of successful efforts from around the country will be highlighted.

How Businesses Can Benefit from Urban Tree Recycling

Tree care companies, consulting arborists and others working in the private tree services sector face daily challenges regarding disposal of tree wastes. Rising removal and transportation costs, increased landfill or tipping fees, and lost opportunity costs (money that cannot be spent elsewhere) drive private industry to look for new business models. One model that has proved successful for many innovative individuals and businesses is to recycle tree removals, whenever possible, into products ranging from high-quality lumber to biomass fuel. This presentation will highlight examples of successful businesses using urban trees as their primary source of raw material.

One Forest

This presentation highlights the continuity of our forests, landscapes and other ecosystems across all lands, from inner city forests to the most remote parts of our national forests and wilderness areas. The connection—across this urban-to-rural gradient—is demonstrated through associations within, and across, individual watersheds, and is focused on water, climate, invasive species, soils, people, and the natural cycle of fire. The One Forest concept will be introduced as a bridge linking urban and rural forest management.

General Audiences

Urban Wood Use: From Fallen Trees to Urban Products