Bringing Trees Full Circle: The Promise of Urban Wood Reuse

Every tree has a story, and even when its life in the canopy ends, that story doesn’t have to be over. Across the country, cities are discovering the environmental and economic potential of urban wood reuse: the process of salvaging removed trees and transforming them into valuable products instead of sending them to landfills. 

"Wood is one of the only major building materials in the U.S. that we still bury,” says Mike Galvin, SavATree’s Director of Natural Resource Consulting and a leading expert on urban wood reuse. “We can change that by planning for reuse and turning a waste stream into a resource.” 

With over three decades as an expert on this topic, Galvin speaks from deep experience. As the project manager for the Baltimore Wood Project—a pioneering initiative based in Baltimore City—he helped demonstrate how cities can build local wood economies by reclaiming urban trees and converting them into high-quality lumber, furniture, mulch, and artisan goods. The effort was so successful that it helped launch a city-run lumberyard and inspired similar efforts elsewhere. 

Galvin’s work also includes co-authoring the The Urban Wood Workbook, a U.S. Forest Service publication offering practical guidance on establishing urban wood recovery systems. Building on that foundation, he is now contributing to California’s forthcoming urban wood utilization manual, helping communities assess infrastructure, identify end markets, and develop reuse strategies that keep carbon stored longer while supporting local economies. 

Not all reused wood becomes fine furniture or lumber; mulch remains a valuable use, returning nutrients to the soil. 

"But when we manufacture that wood into something lasting, like a bench or a building beam, we’re capturing carbon for much longer and generating more value for communities,” Galvin said. 

Urban wood reuse also aligns with growing sustainability goals. Many municipalities are facing landfill space shortages and implementing policies that prohibit organic waste in landfills. Repurposing tree removals helps meet these goals while creating a circular economy rooted in environmental stewardship. 

With landfill space shrinking and organic waste bans on the rise, many local governments are under increasing pressure to find sustainable solutions for managing urban wood waste. In response, state and federal agencies are making grant funding available to help municipalities develop urban wood recovery and reuse plans. These funds can be used to engage expert consultants who guide cities through creating practical, locally appropriate systems for wood reuse. 

The movement is gaining momentum, and SavATree is proud to be part of it. Through leadership, research, and planning, experts like Galvin are helping to redefine what it means to care for trees—from planting all the way through purposeful reuse. It’s not just about what a tree can do in life; it’s about the legacy it leaves behind.