A chance encounter with a fallen tree started professor and amateur woodworker Samuel Sherrill thinking: Is there a better way to stretch our precious natural resources? The question led to the writing of Harvesting Urban Timber. Sherrill explains how to identify potential urban timber, how to safely harvest it and convert it into useful lumber.

Harvesting Urban Timber explains the importance of harvesting urban trees and how to do so. Each alternative use described is illustrated through case studies of several municipalities and their respective programs of urban timber utilization. Includes full-color photos and more than 20 charts.

How do we provide for and nurture millions of people without destroying the planet in the process? Author Doug Kent, an environmental specialist, believes a vital element in the solution is recognizing that urban landscapes are an essential partner in everyone’s wellbeing. He argues that urban landscapes can and must work harder. Urban landscapes can provide part of our energy needs, help cool our buildings and public spaces, help us make the most of our precious water. They can also help combat air pollution and reduce the likelihood of allergies and asthma. They can provide landscape materials and even contribute to our timber supply. Doug also advocates turning landscapes into a food source, and/or a perfumery, pharmacy, soap shop, or craft store. Doug has over 12 years of research in this book. He has spent years doing literature reviews, and many more years concocting, consuming, crafting, distilling, propagating, retting, sawing, sowing, and weaving its many recommendations. He has also travelled the length and width of California many times to interview the people and businesses already doing this incredible work. Regenerating Essential Goods and Services is not a manifesto. It is a user’s manual. You are the creative and energetic force that will ultimately drive sustainability and regeneration. Let’s go.