A novel urban wood program developed by the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Urban Ashes, an urban wood recycling and market development company, has been formalized under a partnership with both parties.

The formalized partnership with Urban Ashes is meant to launch Michigan's first high-level municipal wood waste recycling program. Instead of only chipping, mulching or composting tree logs, this urban wood waste would be diverted into a market where it could be used for lumber, flooring, furniture, art, architectural design or household goods. 

Through this program, the City of Ann Arbor will reduce its carbon emissions, reduce landfill use and help provide economic opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals through Urban Ashes Circular UrbanWood Triconomy (CUT) model. 

The community has been working with Urban Ashes since at least 2022 when the company was awarded a $65,500 grant from the state for its collaborative CUT program. The CUT model is a pioneering business framework aligned with the triple bottom line concept of People, Planet, and Profit. 

This past Spring, Urban Ashes contracted with Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) to help it implement more sustainable construction site tree management practices. The partnership encompasses property where an existing alternative high school will be expanded. 

In general, trees qualified for diversion will be hardwoods or white pine that can produce a mill log that is at least 8.5 feet long and have a diameter of 15 inches or more. The program will also help the city reduce carbon emissions by sequestering carbon, storing it in the wood indefinitely. For 2024, the city estimates the program will continue to sequester an estimated 20 metric tons and avoid the release of 73 metric tons of CO2 emissions, which equates to planting an additional 1,203 trees and growing them for 10 years.

Urban wood is defined as wood sourced from trees removed for reasons other than their wood value, such as storm damage, disease or decline or to facilitate city projects. The program will not increase the speed of removal of trees from the city's urban forest, nor will it lead to trees being removed any sooner than necessary.