Wood waste from trees in the Twin Cities and other urban areas in Minnesota is a growing problem and highlights the need for more efforts to make use of this urban resource.
Grant projects awarded
The MPCA awarded nearly $1.4 million for eight grant projects that keep wood in productive use instead of sending it to lower-value disposal or processing.
Urban wood is lumber that is salvaged from trees that were removed for reasons other than a conventional timber harvest in cities, suburbs, and towns. Often these trees were removed due to urban expansion activities or following damage from storms, disease, or pest infestation. These trees contain valuable lumber but often require extra labor to transport, mill, and market.
While burning wood waste to produce energy provides a beneficial use and helps to transition Minnesota to a carbon-neutral energy grid, the MPCA encourages the use of urban wood in lumber and other durable wood products, biochar, mulch, compost, and sustainable aviation fuels.
The fewer trees that need to be cut down, the less wood waste to deal with, so the MPCA also focuses on improving urban forestry practices to make trees more resilient to disease, pests, and weather events. Healthy, living trees also continue to provide value on the landscape for longer periods of time.
Wood waste hierarchy
There are many options for disposing of wood waste. Learn which methods are most environmentally-friendly.
Stakeholder group
The MPCA convened a group of stakeholders from private businesses, nonprofits, state government agencies, counties, and cities to improve markets for urban wood and demonstrate the value of this underused resource.
Funding opportunities
- MPCA – Minnesota climate-smart food systems grants
- MNDNR – ReLeaf and Shade Tree Bonding Grants
- USDA Forest Service – Wood Innovations Grants
- MDA – AGRI Bioincentive Program
- EPA – Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Communities
- NRCS – Conservation Innovation Grants
Metro area wood waste management plans
Beginning in 2024, the MPCA requires counties in the Twin Cities metro area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington) to include wood waste in their solid waste management plans. The MPCA provides assistance in developing wood waste management plans.
Where can I buy urban wood?
- Wood from the Hood - kiln-dried urban hardwood lumber
- Ruben Custom Sawmill - live-edge slabs, milling, custom projects
- Room and Board - furnishings made from sustainably sourced wood
- Storm Trees - dimensional lumber, live-edge slabs, custom products
- North Wind Lumber and Woodworks - urban hardwood live-edge and dimensional lumber