The “Phoenix Chair” (left) has “arisen” from an ash tree that Emerald
ash borer killed. It's one of 30 pieces on display at the Morton
Arboretum in Lisle.
Suppose you've nurtured and enjoyed a particular tree in your yard or neighborhood for years -- and it is dying. Maybe it is an ash tree afflicted by Emerald ash borer (EAB), or some other tree damaged by disease or high winds.
The roots of your relationship run deep. Maybe you've measured your children's growth by this tree. Or it has shaded memorable family celebrations. Or sheltered countless mid-afternoon backyard snoozes. Soon there will be just a stump.
But what if you could use the wood to create a meaningful piece of art? What if that tree could get a second life as a piece of furniture, such as a table that could host family meals every day?
Hopefully it will become easier and more affordable to do so, thanks to a movement that aims to reuse damaged or dying urban trees in furniture, cabinets and other products.
Today we send these lost trees to the chipper.
"It's an incredible waste," said Edith Makra, Wood Utilization Team chairwoman and the Morton Arboretum's Community Trees Advocate. "There is potential for portions of the wood to be reclaimed as high quality lumber. And that is what we get excited about."
EAB has already killed an estimated 25 million trees in North America. And millions more are certain to come down. More than 130 million ash trees in Illinois alone are at risk.
An exhibition, "Rising from Ashes: Furniture from Lost Trees," shows how damaged trees can be reclaimed and demonstrates beautifully crafted furniture made from ash trees downed by EAB.
"We want to teach people how they can reuse ash wood and inform them about the harvesting process. The wood should have life beyond the tree," said Anamari Dorgan, manager of interpretation and exhibits at the Morton Arboretum.
The exhibition showcases 30 pieces of furniture created by Chicago-based artisans. The chairs, tables, chests and cabinets range in style from stately to whimsical.
"We're exploring the possibilities of ash as a furniture wood," said show co-chair and Illinois Institute of Technology professor of architecture John Kriegshauser. "It makes sense to enjoy wood that is right in front of us. [This wood is] part of our community."
A joint effort between the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Furniture Designers Association, the show is at the Arboretum through Sept. 7, and then travels to other venues.
So what would it take to get your felled tree turned into something beautiful? Start by contacting an Illinois Arborist Association-certified arborist, who should cut the tree into logs at least 8 feet long and transport them to the mill.
The arborist may recommend a saw mill. Or you can go online at www.mortonarb.org and under Plan Visit, choose Events and Activities, and then Rising from Ashes for a list of local mills and local furniture designers who will create your new furniture.
While small, your project makes a difference. Reclaiming all urban timber nationwide, including EAB-felled ash wood, would satisfy 25 percent of our annual hardwood needs, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Four things need to happen, according to the Wood Utilization Team. First, arborists have to cut down trees in longer sections than they do now. More local saw mills able to process urban wood are needed. Woodworkers need to be willing to work with reclaimed ash wood.
Finally, and this is where we all come in, consumers need to demand urban timber products.
Laurie Casey is a staff writer at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
