Green Lumber Sources – San Francisco Bay Area?
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This goes out to all of the woodworkers in the San Francisco Bay Area:
I’ve been trying to find some sources for green lumber. I need it for some steam bending projects I’m working on. I’ve had mixed results with Kiln-Dried Wood & better than mixed results with Air-Dried Wood. But what I’d love to find is a solid source for green lumber. I need to find out who to get in touch with at Golden Gate park to see if they might part with some scrap. I believe they chip and mulch most of it. If you have any suggestions please hollar! I’m going to try to attend the Bay Area Woodworking Association meeting this month as well to see if they have any leads.
MacBeath Hardwoods is generally where I go when purchasing wood. Their stock is pretty good but everything is kiln-dried.
http://www.fogcitysawyer.com (Urban Tree Removal Specialist) in the North Bay is the only other person I’ve purchased wood from. Everything he has is Air-Dried but he only has a few varieties at one time.
Thanks a bunch.
www.PracticeAndProcess.com
Hi Chad. I’m afraid I won’t be able to add much to what you’ve already tried. I was going to suggest tree-removal companies.
On my bicycle rides I pass a place near the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve (near Palo Alto) called McClenahan S P Co. Tree Service. They have wood from their tree removal that they put near the street and I see people come and take some as they like. Even some people doing chain-saw sculpture there. I’m not sure what types of wood it is. I’ve thought many times about asking them what their policy is about this.
I joined BAWA a year ago, but the meetings are in Foster City and “you can’t get there from here” during rush hour, so I’m not a member anymore. It would typically take me 1.5 hours to go the 25 or 30 miles – not worth it.
Good luck to you.
Matt, Northern California - Started a blog in 2016: http://tinyshopww.blogspot.com/
In my area almost every arborist has a log yard, other than dropping the tree yourself it’s probably the best bet. If they’re the type that routinely shop out their “waste” to low volume hardwood mills prepare yourself for some sticker shock, they know very well what a board foot of this or that species can sell for.
Perhaps I'm Just Over Eager, Better to Curb the Enthusiasm
Thanks Matt & JMahoney. It looks like I’m going to have to out and see whats happening at some of the tree collection yards run by arborists and some city agencies.
In non-peak drive times it will take me 45 minutes to drive to the Bay Area Woodworkers Association in Foster City. I’m not looking forward to testing the drive time in “normal” traffic this month but I’m hoping they have some leads on green lumber as well. If you decide to go back I’m sure I’ll bump into you there.
Living in the Sunset neighborhood allows me to avoid most of the hustle and bustle in San Francisco. But I understand that if I’m going to live in this city I’ll have to travel to go get wood. If you’re ever in SF and want to talk woodworking or check out my shop, my wife and I are always happy to have guests.
Cheers.
www.PracticeAndProcess.com
Thanks for the offer, Chad. I’ll extend the same – if you find yourself near Mountain View, I’d love to talk shop.
Matt, Northern California - Started a blog in 2016: http://tinyshopww.blogspot.com/
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