There is something undeniable about an old tree. They tower over us in stature and in time. They are among the world’s most resilient life forms, but they are also communities — home to generations of birds, bugs, lizards, rodents, moss, fungus. When an old tree dies in the wilderness, it becomes a hotbed of new life.
But things are different in the city. While old trees are often a source of pride, reflection and relief from the sun for countless city dwellers, they can also pose a threat. They can be dangerous when left with dead branches or illness in a public place. And a fallen tree would certainly not be left to decompose across a street or in a public park.
So what happens when a tree falls or needs to be removed for public safety? You can plant a new tree in its place — but what happens to the old wood?
According to TJ Krivanec, chair of RVA Urban Wood, it’s often sent to East End landfill or used as firewood.
“It really is something you just need to get rid of, and a lot of people don't have the time or knowledge to deal with it properly,” Krivanec said.
RVA Urban Wood, a collaboration between government agencies and local craftspeople, is seeking to change that. Richmond’s Department of Public Works and Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities are working with RVA Urban Wood and the Virginia Department of Forestry to reclaim wood from the city’s trees.
Those groups held a mobile milling demonstration at Pine Camp Community Center in Northside Richmond during the city’s Tree Week in October.
“We can basically divert these valuable resources away from the landfill and turn them into something beautiful, useful and hopefully much loved in the community later on,” Qui Nguyen, community outreach coordinator for the city parks department, told the crowd at Pine Camp.
When Nguyen finished speaking, a bright orange sawmill attached to a trailer buzzed to life, ready to break down a white oak recently cut down in Pine Camp. The mobile mill team from Three Rivers Forestry also processed a street tree from the West End. The company’s services were secured through a VDOF grant; the state agency runs an urban wood program of its own.
Old trees can be damaged by rot, fungus, insects and other outside forces. Those forces can compromise the wood’s structure, making at least part of the tree unusable — or, according to Krivanec, they can cause unique discolorations and formations like spalting, ambrosia and burls, which increase the value of wood to artisans.
Old urban trees can pose some unique complications for millers, particularly in the form of metal. Trees grow around nails, fences, wires, bullets and more — all of which damage saw blades.
But it was smooth sailing at the milling demonstration, resulting in stacks of high-quality lumber with some spalting and insect boreholes.
“It’s looking great,” Krivanec said. “It’s gonna be great to work with. I’m excited.”
A ring count on the white oak from Pine Camp revealed its age: 102 years. In 1922, Pine Camp was a tuberculosis camp — located away from Richmond’s factory smog and city center. The tree predated the community center by about four decades.
With the urban wood program, the tree can stick around a little longer.
“We basically want what was produced in the park to come back to the park,” Nguyen said. “We’ll probably be utilizing it either as conference tables inside or benches or even interpretive signage.”
The final use of the material will be decided in conjunction with local community groups.
Developing circular economies
Nguyen said the goal is to create an “urban wood circular economy.” But what does that mean?
One of the main pathways in the city’s RVAgreen 2050 plan is waste reduction and recovery. According to the city’s 2018 carbon emissions inventory, waste accounted for 3% of the city’s carbon footprint. City goals in the Climate Equity Action Plan 2030 now call for that to be reduced to zero by 2030.
Burning trees as fuel produces carbon dioxide. Dumping organic matter in a landfill releases methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas.
RVAgreen 2050 says the city should lead by example by developing zero waste practices and reporting on its waste stream.
There are lots of trees around the city that need to be taken down due to illness, storm damage and more.
Richmond does have an inventory of its trees, complete with an interactive dashboard where residents can check the assessed condition of specimens around town.
But that data is about a decade old. Work on a new survey is underway.
