Skip to main content

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 wood.

20266: urban wood definition

What is urban wood?

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. 

20266: wood waste hierarchy callout
Graphic illustrating trees and a forestry bucket truck

Wood waste hierarchy

There are many options for disposing of wood waste. Learn which methods are most environmentally-friendly.

Wood Waste Stakeholder Group

The MPCA has 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. If you are an industry professional and would like to join the stakeholder group, please contact Jon Klapperich. 

Funding opportunities

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 management plans in their solid waste management plans. The MPCA also provides assistance in developing their wood waste management plans.

Where can I buy urban wood? 

More resources