Upcycled Ash – Milling Logs to Lumber
Transforming logs to lumber is a practice in patience. One that Roseville Area High School (RAHS) shop teacher Jeffrey Davies knows all too well. Davies mentioned that “my students who are milling this trimester are really milling boards for students that I’ll have a year from now.” Tree Trust first met Davies in April of 2023 when our Landscape Services team delivered usable ash logs for Davies to use in his wood shop. Now, Davies guides his eager students to craft projects as they work to upcycle the ash trees removed from their city.
Emerald Ash Borer in Roseville
In early 2022, Tree Trust began the vital work of removing dead or infested ash trees from public land in the City of Roseville, responding to the impact of emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive pest that kills ash. While this chapter of the project is now complete, the story of renewal is just beginning. Our Community Forestry team is collaborating with homeowners to restore the city’s tree canopy, planting a diverse mix of trees in the public rights-of-way to replace those lost to EAB. Even the removed ash trees support new growth—select logs are providing students at RAHS the opportunity to craft exciting projects in their Career and Technical Education program.
From Log to Lumber
After two years of drying, the ash logs are nearly ready for their next chapter. Before they can become student projects, they need one final step—drying out again. The mezzanine in RAHS’s cutting-edge wood shop provides the perfect environment, with controlled humidity and warmth acting like a kiln. Teacher Jeffrey Davies carefully monitors the process with a moisture meter, checking that the wood reaches the ideal 12 to 14 percent moisture level. Now, as he unveils a fresh stack of milled ash slabs, the excitement is palpable. “Being able to take a piece from nothing—from a log—and see it all the way through, it’s really pretty cool,” he shares. Soon, these slabs will be transformed by student hands, continuing the journey from tree to trade.
Milled Ash Coffee Tables
The true beauty of the ash slabs lies in their natural character, the sweeping tree rings and live edges, where the bark remains visible. Students freely choose their own materials, bringing their creative visions to life. For both Jeffrey Davies and his students, the opportunity to upcycle these ash logs provides an exciting experience. “To use ash logs as a medium to teach with—and to have that material available at no cost to students—takes away the pressure of making a mistake. It’s just a wonderful opportunity,” Davies states. With some of the ash slabs dried and ready to use, students are crafting epoxy pour tables, highlighting the wood’s unique twists, turns, and intricate grain patterns. And this is just the beginning. The RAHS wood shop, ablaze with creativity, showcases Davies and his students exploring new ways to turn wood waste into something extraordinary.
Milled Ash Barrel Saunas
Davies’ eyes light up when he shares details of his next project. For his upcoming Construction Trades class, the students will construct a barrel-shaped sauna entirely from milled ash. He explains, “I just got a brand-new four-sided shaper planer from Wood-Mizer. What makes this machine unique is we can put knives on it that also cut profiles on both sides, so you can cut grooves.” This tool will help the students to build a frame for their saunas. Davies continues, “The boards do not curve. The boards are straight, but they stack up on top of each other so that one groove fits in with that other groove. And then you make the circle out of that.” Each upcycled ash barrel sauna will be held together with metal rings and eventually heated with a wood fire stove. Stay tuned to Tree Trust on social media for exciting updates on the barrel saunas and more upcycled ash projects!
Tree Trust is proud to partner with the hardworking students at RAHS and their passionate woodworking teacher. As Davies reflects on his journey through different woods—oak, maple, cherry, walnut—he lands on a clear favorite: “If I had to pick my favorite type of lumber to build with now, it would be free. Free lumber, just like we are getting from Tree Trust. Working with Tree Trust has just been awesome.” His enthusiasm speaks volumes—when sustainability meets craftsmanship, the possibilities are endless!
