The Source of Our Story.
San Diego’s finest wood, repurposed.
Trees are just about the best thing known to humanity. They give us air, shade, structure, and the materials that built the world around us. But in cities, their story usually ends the same way. When a tree is removed, it’s cut up, chipped, or sent to the landfill like it never mattered.
San Diego Urban Timber exists to change that.
Instead of treating trees like disposable material, we reclaim them, mill them, dry them properly, and turn them into furniture, slabs, and architectural woodwork that keeps the story of the tree alive — right here in San Diego County.
Doing Fallen Trees Justice
We’ve received all kinds of reactions to what we do. Some people call it “logging in the middle of the city.” Others think it should be called “urban lumber.” But lumber feels generic — like something stacked in rows inside a big box store.
Timber tells the truth.
These trees aren’t mass-produced material. They’re 60-year-old eucalyptus trees, massive shade trees from neighborhoods, and trees that stood in backyards for generations. Some are eight feet in diameter and over a hundred feet tall. Their presence in a city is powerful — and their story deserves more than a landfill.
San Diego Urban Timber was built around one simple idea: if a tree has lived this long, it deserves a second life that actually means something.
A Modern, Sustainable Approach That Feels Personal
Maybe your grandfather planted that tree. Maybe your dad built a treehouse in it. Maybe your kids climbed its branches. Or maybe it’s one of the last trees left in a canyon that used to be full of them.
Once you start seeing it that way, it stops being “just a tree.” It becomes something personal. And the idea of it ending up in a landfill feels like a real loss.
That’s the shift we believe in. Not just sustainability as a trend — but responsibility to the material and respect for where it came from.
This work feels natural to us. Whether by chance or by calling, we found ourselves here not just as woodworkers, but as stewards of the material. Our job isn’t just to build furniture — it’s to give these trees a second life that lasts for decades.
The People Behind San Diego
Urban Timber.
Behind the work is a small, hands-on team that believes in doing things the right way — not the fastest way.
Together, the goal has never been mass production. It’s been to build meaningful pieces using local material and to do it in a way that respects both the tree and the client.
Owner/FounderOwnerHandles communication, coordination, and the client side of the business. If you’ve called, emailed, or booked a consultation, you’ve most likely already spoken with her. She makes sure every project runs smoothly from the first conversation to the final delivery.
Leads the woodworking, milling, and the technical side of the projects. From cutting logs to designing finished pieces, he’s deeply involved in every stage of the process. Most of the pieces you see on the website have passed directly through his hands.
Dan
Jessica
What We Believe In
Local Roots
We believe local trees should stay local.
San Diego Urban Timber isn’t just about reclaimed wood; it’s about making sure every piece stays part of the community it came from.
Authentic Character
We believe real wood should not feel generic.
We reject the "farmhouse" look in favor of architectural minimalism. Every grain and knot is an intentional part of a premium design.
Timeless Quality
We believe furniture should last for decades, not years.
We build for longevity. Our process ensures that giving something valuable a second life means it will stand the test of time in your home or office.
Meaningful Stories
We believe that a real story makes a piece more meaningful.
When you know where your timber came from, it becomes more than just furniture—it becomes a piece of history that you live with every day.