Archives July 2019

When we remove a tree, the owners often ask us if they can do something with the wood, other than using it as firewood. In the past, we haven’t been able to give many options, other than leaving a few inches of stump for a plant stand or stool. However, we recently found out about Urban Timber Harvest, a sawmill in Colleyville, Texas that can use tree trunks to make something beautiful. Brent Schwanbeck, one of the owners of Urban Timber Harvest, was kind enough to answer a few questions about who he is and what his sawmill does.

How and Why Did You Begin Urban Timber Harvest?

Chad Ham, co-owner of Urban Timber Harvest, and I founded Urban Timber Harvest
felt like we saw a need. We are woodworkers who have a great respect for the trees in our community. There is so much history and beauty in the trees around us, but when they die, they are typically hauled off to the dump or the firewood pile. We saw an opportunity to preserve the unique beauty of the trees around us. By crafting furniture out of our trees, we are able to create unique furniture with a story. 

What Kind of Wood Do You Harvest and Use?

We typically harvest most hardwoods that grow in the area. While we enjoy milling unique and less common trees, most frequently we harvest white oak, red oak, pecan, and walnut. That is certainly not an all inclusive list, so when in doubt, reach out! Our minimum log dimensions are 2’ diameter and 6’ in length.

Do You Pay People for Wood?

Nearly all of the trees that we mill would have otherwise been hauled off as waste. All of the logs that we mill are sustainably sourced and were not farmed for a profit. It is for these reasons that we do not pay for trees we harvest. We are always happy to work with our clients on pricing for a custom piece of furniture built out of their own harvested tree.

Do You Sell Milled Wood or Just Completed Furniture?

With sustainability at the center of our business, our primary mission is to make the best use of our downed urban trees. With that mission in mind, we sell processed wood, as well as create custom furniture.

What Types of Things Do You Make from Tree Trunks?

Urban Timber Harvest is a fully integrated urban lumber company, meaning that by controlling the entire process (harvest + mill + design + build) we are able to create truly unique pieces. We enjoy letting each unique tree guide us in the creative design process. With our woodworking background, we can create custom pieces with classic joinery that last the test of time. We desire to create furniture that can be passed from generation to generation. Check out some of their work!

Will You Use My Tree to Make Me a Piece of Furniture?

We become attached to our trees. We enjoy their shade, we play in their limbs, and we grow old with them. We always enjoy the opportunity to create furniture for a client when the tree came out of their own yard. Using a “Tree to Table” process, we are able to create furniture with a unique story that can be shared with family and friends. 

How Do You Get the Pieces You Need?

When Texas Tree Surgeons removes your tree, the canopy is removed, and the log is felled. Once that is complete we will arrive and pick up your log.

Do You Take the Stump or Does It Still Need to Be Ground?    

We do not mill stumps or remove waste from your tree. Texas Tree Surgeons is happy to help with that part!

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

As we move into summer, there are several tree health issues that can present themselves. One of the common questions we get around this time is about bumps on pecan leaves. The bumps are the result of insect activity that may or may not affect the pecan fruits themselves. Unfortunately, once the bumps appear, there is no effective control for the pests. Still, knowing what is afflicting the tree means you can make preparations for treatment next year.

Pecan Phylloxera

The insect that causes the bumps to appear on pecan leaves is called pecan phylloxera (Phylloxera devastatrix). Pecan phylloxera is a small, aphid-like insect that feeds on the shoots, leaves, and buds of the pecan tree. There are two main types of pecan phylloxera: one that affects leaves only, and one that affects leaves and nuts. The leaf phylloxera can cause defoliation but generally do no greater harm to the tree. The other kind, however, can cause severe leaf drop and inedible fruits. As both kinds of phylloxera cause leaf bumps, called “galls,” it can be hard to tell which one is affecting your pecans. However, if you have a lot of leaves falling, there is a good chance that it is the more invasive phylloxera.

No matter what particular kind of pecan phylloxera is present, the insects follow a similar life cycle. In the summer, eggs are laid in the bark of the pecan tree. The eggs hatch in the spring and the young insects move to the shoots and buds, where they begin to feed, forming galls on the new leaves for protection. Once the phylloxera have matured, they emerge from the galls to mate and lay eggs for the next year.

Treatment for Pecan Phylloxera

Because of their life cycle, the only effective time to treat for pecan phylloxera is in the spring, just as the leaves are budding. Applying insecticide at bud break can prevent the phylloxera from becoming established in the new leaves. Once the galls have formed, the insects are protected from pesticides, and cannot be effectively treated.

Pecan phylloxera moves slowly and may not affect every tree in an area every year. Variations in weather and tree growth can greatly affect the ability of the insects to survive. Still, if you have bumps on your pecan leaves, it is best to plan for insecticidal treatment for pecan phylloxera the following spring.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! We know it can be frustrating to find out about a problem too late to do anything about it. Hopefully, learning about pecan phylloxera now will help you be prepared for treatment in the spring. If you have questions about bumps on your pecan leaves, let us know, and a certified arborist can confirm what is affecting your tree and what you can do about it!