Georgia institute of technology
Turning a campus’ salvaged old growth oak tree into value add lumber
Root-to-Fruit story in progress
A grand oak unfortunately came down in one of Georgia Tech’s courtyards due to Atlanta’s storm season. This tree was one of the oldest on campus. Students and alumni came together on social platform, Instagram, and facilitated Eutree partnering with the University to give this beloved tree a second life.
Eutree worked with local expert arborist at Boutte Tree to safely remove and salvage the timber from the tree.
Logs from the tree arrived at Eutree lumberyard via dump truck.
Each log was labeled and inventoried prior to delivery at Eutree.
Once logs are unloaded, inventory is rechecked and Eutree’s Chief Sawyer outlines a milling plan for each log. Eutree maintains a strict chain of custody to guarantee customers always receive the same lumber from their tees.
Logs are loaded individually onto the Wood-Mizer 1000 sawmill operating a Bobcat.
Once the logs are loaded onto the mill, Eutree’s Chief Sawyer thoroughly examines the log for any metal, nails or debris that may hinder the milling process.
Custom hydraulics on the mill’s carriage allows Eutree sawyers to seamlessly rotate the log for the best cut.
Each log is then milled into live edge slabs and boards for dimensional lumber over the course of two days…
…After each log is milled, stickers (wood sticks) are inserted between each slab of wood to ensure adequate air flow during the drying process.
The flitches of wood from the each will spend several months air drying in Eutree’ lumberyard.
During this time, Eutree sawyers will monitor the wood’s moisture content. Once the moisture content reaches appropriate levels, slabs and boards will enter the kilns for their final drying stage.
Stay tuned for photos of loading the kilns coming soon!