
PROJECT: Trejuvenation
Goals
To divert end-of-life urban trees away from the wood-chipper/landfill and toward beneficial products like lumber, furniture, musical instruments, bio-polymers, and wood charcoal/biochar (made from low-value wood that has no current market; biochar is a powerful soil amendment for enhanced microbial growth and nutrient runoff prevention among other things).
Objectives
By filling in gaps in the existing urban wood industry our intention is to increase the amount of urban wood diverted from the wood chipper and landfill.
Deliverables
Trejuvenation sites will not have the “tipping” fees that landfills charge somewhat offsetting the greater expense of transporting larger logs, and we can even pay them for the logs in some cases. We will also augment the local capacity to kiln-dry logs, something that is sorely needed if this wood is to reach its full potential in terms of market value. Finally, Trejuvenation will enhance the existing urban wood network so they can more effectively collaborate, fulfill larger commercial orders, create value-added products like biochar, and market their products to a wider audience.
Benefits
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Fewer members of our urban forest being chipped or burned; consideration is first given to the best use for each log
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Human benefits: Job training and education in an industry fit for a 21st-century circular economy
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Improving utilization of valuable resources (e.g. avoiding waste), and honoring our gentle green giants by giving them a second life beautiful life
Major Partners
Lumbercycle, West Coast Arborists, Ol’ Fashioned Lumber, San Diego Green Building Council Chapter, Agri Service Inc.

