Article: Preparing for a Tree ReUSE Project
Objective:
This article provides critical information about our tree reuse process, related service fees and important policies to take into consideration when deciding to rescue a lost tree.
Why should you consider rescuing our locally fallen trees?
Rescuing locally fallen trees is a crucial step in combating climate change. By doing so, you become part of the solution by conserving resources, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting sustainability. This practice helps preserve forests, reduces the demand for new timber, supports the local economy, and enables unique, customized projects. Additionally, fallen trees are made up of approximately 50% sequestered carbon, making their upcycling a climate-smart choice that directly contributes to environmental conservation. By buying local and utilizing local resources, you are directly contributing to the sustainability practices of a circular economic model.
What is your service area?
We have the ability to service all areas of Texas, but due to the transport costs, we typically rescue trees within a 200 mile radius of Austin, TX.
What equipment is typically used?
We are the only sawmill is Texas that operates a 20-ton national crane truck which is a low emissions certified vehicle. This truck was designed with a 14-foot flat bed for easier access into tighter spaces. We can haul logs up to 16-foot long on the deck of the truck. We also offer additional trucks, trailers and construction equipment for higher volume rescue projects such as the Austin State Hospital Adaptive Tree ReUse project that we completed in 2022.
what access and clearance is required before arriving?
This is VERY IMPORTANT and is a responsibility of the client to confirm access requirements are met. Our crane truck requires an overhead clearance of over 13 feet along any private driveways, roadways, and access points. This sometimes mean that low overhanging branches need to be trimmed, and we must be observant for low hanging communications and electrical lines.
During the craning process, we must have clear line of sight to the sky or a minimum of 30 feet of overhead clearance in order to safely lift the log(s) onto the truck deck. Extremely large and heavy logs require up to 42 feet of clearance. These are typically logs that are 30-36” in diameter or larger. See image below.
The truck is 29 feet long and 102 inches wide. We must have sufficient clearance along drives and thru gates in order to safely access the rescue site. It is basically the size of a cement or 15-cubic yard dump truck.
NOTE: Unfortunately, we are still required to charge for a trip, even if the log cannot be accessed or removed. We work very closely with our clients to ensure this does not occur. Additionally, we offer onsite assessments and consultation appointments to evaluate tree reuse opportunities.
how can i best prepare the site?
We have experienced a large array of rescue sites and offer services even within the most challenging circumstances. With proper planning and good site preparation, you can keep our service charges to a minimum. If additional site work is necessary to access and safely load logs, beyond our standard 45-minute loading time, we bill at $150/hour.
Log location - In the best case, your log(s) are left along a curb or along a major access point. Avoid a massive, unorganized pile of logs that we are forced to sort through.
Log Preparation - In the best case, the logs are bucked or chainsawed to lengths less than 16 feet long. All limbs and branches are trimmed along the length of the trunk. We always bring a chainsaw and can assist in log preparation. We also suggest that you paint or seal the end of your logs to prevent cracking and checking (any oil or latex paint will suffice in thick application coats).
Tree Felling & Tree Service - We can offer highly competitive, certified arborists that specialize in tree removals and reuse. Our tree professionals understand how to take down a tree safety and efficiently while also maximizing the lumber opportunity. We are also happy to work with your own preferred tree service company. In an ideal situation, we are consulted early in the process before the tree is cut up into sections. Please take into consideration that tree service companies will cut and fell trees into small sections, for the benefit of their removal process, but not for the benefit of maximizing the lumber. They haul off this material as green biomass waste and pay associated dump fees.
Ease of Access - We find that protruding limbs from surrounding trees along the access pathway and near the rescue site tend to interfere with our crane truck clearance. Please do your best to trim any surrounding low handing branches. Remove any major obstacles or equipment that may impede our access. If we are trimming trees along an access point, we are spending valuable loading time to gain access and may need to charge additional fees.
Plan Early - It appears that in 80% of cases, when we receive a service request to repurpose a tree, the tree service work has already been completed. Moreover, nearly 95% of the time, we discover that the tree service company has significantly damaged the usable lumber. We are delighted to assist our clients by evaluating their trees and offering cutting recommendations. This process is simple and typically only requires emailing us high-quality pictures of the tree and its surroundings for assessment. You can email pictures to info@txurbansawmill.com. We also offer the most competitive rates for tree service removals as we save time, energy and dump fees by upcycling a large mass of the fallen tree. This typically means we offer a savings that helps to cover the log transport fees.
What are your fees?
These are our standard billing fees for 2023 which we bill based on mileage and labor rates. Note: We do offer fixed price projects for large volume projects, typically commercial.
Tree Service Work and Land Improvement
Please contact us directly for a tree service quote or for sustainable land improvement services.
We follow sustainable land and forestry management philosophies.
Crane Truck Pick-Up and Transport = $7/mile
This is billed round trip from our location in Dripping Springs.
Includes 45 minutes loading time.
Additional time is billed at a flat rate of $150/hr
Baker Sawmill = Can cut a maximum diameter log of 36” & up to 26 feet long
Log Diameter 28” or Less = $200 per hour. Minimum charge of $100.
Log Diameter Over 28” = $300 per hour. Minimum charge of $150.
Minimum of 36” log length.
Minimum diameter of 8-10” is recommended. We prefer 12” or larger.
Blade fee of $100 if we hit metal. Blade cannot be sharpened.
Live Oak has an automatic blade fee of $80 as it is extremely hard on chains, sawblades, & tooling.
WM1000 Woodmizer = Can cut a maximum diameter of log up to 67” and up to 18 feet long.
$300 per hour. Minimum charge of $300.
Minimum of 48” log length.
Blade fee of $225 if we hit metal. Blade cannot be sharpened.
Live Oak has an automatic blade fee of $225 as it is extremely hard on chains, sawblades & tooling.
