Found Materials

Several people have asked me lately where I find all the materials I use in my projects. This will answer some of those questions, but not all, as there always seems to be a new lead come up that I had not heard of before.

For logs or trees, there are several sources: family and friends that need trees taken down, or friends of theirs. Some already have the trees down or they fell down in a storm, etc… Some of these are great sources, others not so much, but you have to follow up on every one of them because you never know when a lead will be a gold mine!

We have also had great luck with city workers in various places letting us know when the city is taking down trees and where those trees can be found. It seems that most cities would rather have the wood go to a good use just as heating homes or being turned into useful items rather than just rotting in a back lot or being burned up in a big pile.

Arborists or tree trimming companies have been good, if somewhat inconsistent in supplying trees or logs. If we can catch them in the process of cutting trees, they will often help us load the logs so they don’t have to haul them away. For all the business cards I have given out to those same companies however, I have yet to receive a call when they are at a job where they have more logs to be hauled away. Not sure why, but just now it has not happened.

When it comes to barn or old building lumber, that has always been word of mouth or simply driving by a building and seeing someone nearby to ask if they own it or know the owner so we can get permission to take the building down.

The same goes with old farm equipment, implement wheels, disk cutters, etc… we see them along a road or in someone’s field and work on tracking down an owner to see if they wish to part with them.

Of course, the more people we have looking the better our chances, so if you know of any of the above items, or any other items you think might be of use to us, please contact us and we will follow up on your information.