Rescued Wood

In January 2015, Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties received a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to begin operation of a sawmill in Kewaskum. In addition, the DNR awarded Habitat the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council’s Project Partnership award for its efforts to recycle all parts of the trees provided by the city of West Bend damaged by pests such as the Emerald Ash Borer or injured due to disease.

Approximately 21,000 board feet of milled lumber has been processed with the help of over 100 volunteers and numerous volunteer hours.

The use of Rescued Wood reduces the dependence on fossil fuel for transportation of lumber, decreases the number of infected trees dumped into landfills, and provides the local community with a sustainable and affordable source of lumber.

Purchase of milled lumber through Habitat for Humanity ReStores offers the community a way to support a local non-profit organization serving two counties. Rescued Wood sales provide Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties with additional funding to continue building quality affordable homes for deserving families. The use of Rescued Wood reduces the dependence on fossil fuel for transportation of lumber, decreases the number of infected trees dumped into landfills, and provides the local community with a sustainable and affordable source of lumber.

First cuts or flitch of infected logs are cut into hobby, craft or firewood. Second cuts offer hobbyists non-milled lumber with bark edges for decorative wood applications. Third cuts are square cut into lumber. All wood is kiln dried. The Primary species of tree processed is White Ash, but other species such as red oak, maple and locust have also been provided to be milled into lumber. For woodworkers and local artisans, the lumber offers a wide variety of wood products for projects from small signs, to furniture.

You can find Rescued Wood at all three Washington and Dodge Counties ReStores.