Southern Community Wood Utilization Group debuts at ISA conference

The members of the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) are excited to announce the official launch of the Southern Community Wood Utilization Group during this year’s International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) annual conference. This initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting sustainable community wood utilization, also called urban wood utilization, across the southern United States.

The goals of the Southern Community Wood Utilization Group include:

• Developing an understanding among suppliers, producers and buyers regarding their important role in creating healthy and thriving urban and community forests. 
• Developing a network of relationships within the South to collaborate and expand the potential benefits of every community tree by using wood materials that would otherwise be discarded. 
• Supporting community wood markets and communicating the added economic value of using community wood resources.

The Importance of Community Wood Utilization

According to the EPA, wood materials, especially from urban/community forests, are the largest contributor of municipal waste. Community wood utilization involves an innovative approach by repurposing trees removed from urban areas and local communities, including those removed due to disease, storm damage, construction, natural aging, safety and more. Rather than discarding the tree and wasting wood resources, community wood utilization turns these usable materials into valuable products such as furniture, flooring, art and building materials. This process helps reduce and divert landfill inputs, while contributing to overall environmental health and sustainability.

The Role of the Southern Group of State Foresters

SGSF’s members, with their extensive expertise in forest management and sustainability practices, founded the Southern Community Wood Utilization Group to spearhead community wood utilization efforts in the southern U.S. The group is dedicated to fostering collaboration between municipalities, arborists, sawmills, manufacturers, educational institutions and other key partners to develop a robust community wood supply chain.

SGSF’s involvement ensures that the initiative is grounded in a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with community wood utilization. Their leadership will guide the group in promoting best practices, raising awareness and supporting the development of a thriving market for community wood products.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Community wood utilization offers significant environmental benefits, such as reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional community tree disposal. By repurposing community trees into products like furniture, flooring, biomass and biochar, the full-circle management of these resources helps reduce waste and conserve resources.

Community wood utilization also helps stimulate the economy and provides benefits to the community by lowering the cost of tree removal, providing beneficial wood products back to the community and creating jobs. According to a recent study, the potential annual value from urban wood waste in the United States ranges between $89-786 million. States with the greatest urban wood product potential are Florida (up to $57.6 million per year) and Georgia (up to $52.7 million per year). The group will work to connect municipalities, businesses and consumers, fostering a market for community wood products that supports local economies and supplements communities with new sustainable options.

Goals and Future Plans

The Southern Community Wood Utilization Group has set ambitious goals to ensure the success and growth of community wood utilization in the region:

• Raising Awareness: The group will lead efforts to educate the public, municipalities and businesses about the environmental and economic benefits of community wood utilization.
• Building Partnerships: Collaboration is at the heart of the initiative’s mission. The group seeks to establish strong partnerships across the community wood supply chain, from tree care professionals and municipalities to sawmills, artisans, universities, architects and manufacturers. By building these connections, the group will help create a robust and sustainable market for urban wood products.
• Promoting Sustainable Community Development: By advocating for the integration of community wood utilization into city planning and development projects, the group aims to improve communities’ management of natural resources. This includes encouraging the use of community wood in construction and landscaping projects.

How You Can Get Involved

The Southern Group of State Foresters is encouraging partners to invite potential participants to join the Southern Community Wood Utilization Group. The group welcomes anyone interested in supporting this effort from both the public and private sectors, including but not limited to the following roles:

• Arborists
• Urban Foresters
• Business Owners
• Landscape Professionals
• Architects
• Wood Artisans
• Furniture Makers
• Mobile Sawmill Operators
• Carpenters
• Wood-based Art/Furniture Retailers
• Builders
• Certified Foresters
• Private Forest Landowners

By joining, individuals can contribute to a movement that not only benefits the environment but also supports local economies and promotes sustainable community development. Together, we can give community trees a second life!

To learn more about the Southern Community Wood Utilization Group and how you can get involved, visit the official webpage.