About

San Diego's finest wood, repurposed.

Trees are just about the best thing known to humanity. In addition to being wildly beautiful, they are crucial to our every fundamental need. Air, water, housing--you name it, trees give it. Unfortunately, humanity has treated them horribly. When deemed unsuitable for their placement, trees are cut down, chopped to bits, or thrown in the dump.

The crew at San Diego Urban Timber is committed to doing fallen trees justice.

We’ve gotten all sorts of interesting feedback about our “logging in the middle of the city” business. One was the name. We were told it should be called “Urban Lumber.” But lumber evokes a vision of aisle after Home Depot aisle of yellow wood. Timber is the truth. Our trees are either cut down (by someone else), or they fall down. Sometimes they’re 8 feet in diameter and 100 feet tall. Their presence is remarkable in an urban environment. That’s why we’re San Diego Urban Timber.

Our operation formed out of the realization that urban trees generally have a tragic life cycle, and most folks have no idea. Wood: just another generic commodity.

But maybe grandpa planted that tree. Maybe your dad built a tree house in it. Maybe your kids climbed on it. Or perhaps, it is among the last remaining trees in a local canyon; beetles having taken the rest of the grove. Well, then it starts to get personal for folks, and the fact that it may end up in a landfill is heartbreaking. Once people understand this, they feel a palpable loss, and a call for change erupts. That's what we're counting on, at least, because it's personal for us too. Like it’s in our DNA. Maybe we were trees in another life, who knows, but in this life we are furniture makers and wood stewards. It’s a calling, and we answer.

Dan’s little Toyota truck just passed 200,000 miles, and on one particular log load, it towed more than it weighs. It’s both humbling and awesome to drop in on a job site where we’re expected to pick up a tree. Rolling in with this little white truck, custom-fabricated log trailer, big chainsaws, and a woman as right-hand man. People look at us in wonder, and don’t stop looking until we leave. I mean, we do need brawn, but with brain, this tree-gathering business gets by just fine without big equipment. Just a hoist, and can-do attitudes. Gym memberships aren’t necessary if urban timber is your workday. It’s amazing how much eucalyptus weighs. Sometimes we calculate how many tons are hand-lifted into the planer, and gloat at the volume.

People refer to eucalyptus as a trash tree. Not us. This stuff is amazing, both visually and structurally. It was planted on our coast as an answer to the need for railroad ties. It grows quick and dense, seemingly a sure bet. What people didn’t understand (and are still figuring out), is that eucalyptus is only for those who can commit to a long-term relationship. You can’t be scared away by twists and checks and long chill times. This tree will keep giving, long after it has been cut, milled, and dried. It looks like stone, some with the most complex patterned ribboning. There are almost 600 varieties, and it’s planted in an unsustainable environment. You do the math on that. What the railroads gave up has been our gift.

At San Diego Urban Timber, we feel incredibly blessed that our somewhat rebellious natures can be satisfied by the work we do for the planet, community, clients and our own creative selves. Between our inventory of unusual exotic wood and our unique art backgrounds and design-build format, we’re hitting our stride. Ultimately, we want these materials to be accessible to everyone. We’re not afraid to lend our ideas and innovations, and we love working with others to realize great potential. Life is a fast-moving train, and new ideas come every day. We're reaching and rooting for the fun of it.