In Milwaukee, an innovative craftsman named Nick Hardrath is redefining the lifecycle of trees by converting what would be waste into art and furniture.
Reported by WTMJ, Hardrath, the owner of Urban Craftsman, is taking trees that have reached the end of their natural life and giving them a second chance as lumber.
Hardrath explains, “At the end of its life, it might be damaged from a storm or from the life expectancy of a tree that’s taken down, and we’re giving it a second life as lumber.”
His work includes transforming these trees into custom furniture pieces such as bookcases and coffee tables, providing a personal touch by allowing individuals to preserve their family history. He notes, “We’ve had a lot of stories throughout the year, somebody that has a tree in the backyard that maybe their grandfather planted; they want to turn it into furniture and keep that legacy.”
The initiative not only has a profound environmental impact but also serves as a financial advantage for local municipalities. Hardrath points out the environmental benefits: “Municipalities and cities that are taking down the tree actually spend a huge amount of money to take and discard of that tree. You’re releasing the carbon (dioxide) that the tree has collected all of its life—40, 50, maybe 100 plus years.”
This process significantly reduces waste and carbon emissions, transforming an environmental liability into a resource.
Hardrath’s approach to woodworking celebrates the natural imperfections of urban trees, contrasting them with the more uniform timber from commercial forests. He values the unique character of these trees, stating, “It’s not grown really straight and perfectly to harvest as a 2-by-4 or a perfect piece of wood; it has more character and a lot of stuff going on, which you wouldn’t get anywhere else.” Handling around 250 to 300 trees annually, his work is a testament to sustainability and creativity in woodworking.
For those interested in seeing the results of Hardrath’s work, you can visit the Urban Craftsman’s website to explore examples of furniture crafted from these once-doomed trees. Kudos to WTMJ for highlighting this inspiring story of urban renewal and artistic endeavor.
