Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Nicodemus Wilderness Project
About Us Projects Education Links Volunteers Membership  
Nicodemus Wilderness Project

 
 

NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - New Knoxville, Ohio, USA

« ++ ·
http://www.wildernessproject.org/apprentice_ecologist/data/500/thumbs/24825248252482524825248252482524825248252482524825Screenshot_20181212-133423_Amino.jpg
<<
http://www.wildernessproject.org/apprentice_ecologist/data/500/thumbs/24805248052480524805248052480524805248052480524805Untitled4.jpg
<
http://www.wildernessproject.org/apprentice_ecologist/data/500/thumbs/247972479724797247972479724797247972479724797247972018101495125025.jpg
·
http://www.wildernessproject.org/apprentice_ecologist/data/500/thumbs/24794247942479424794247942479424794247942479424794Cataline_island_picture1.jpeg
>
http://www.wildernessproject.org/apprentice_ecologist/data/500/thumbs/24789247892478924789247892478924789247892478924789IMG_2261.JPG
>>
· ++ »

New Knoxville, Ohio, USA
(Click on photo to view larger image)

lhughes19



Registered: December 2018
City/Town/Province: New Knoxville
Posts: 1
View this Member's Photo Gallery
My name is Logan and I am a senior at New Knoxville High School, Ohio. My personal background as an aspiring woodworker inspired me to embark on a lifelong journey that started early this year when I noticed that all around me urban trees were being burnt or sent to a landfill. After seeing this occur on a regular basis combined with my insatiable interest for wood and building quality furniture pieces it soon made perfect sense that I should reclaim these beautiful walnut and oak logs. Doing so would mean giving them a new life where they can be appreciated revealing the life that had endured for the past hundred plus years. To begin I connected with all the local tree service companies to inform them of what I was setting out to do and the support I gained when talking with arborists and owners was immense and encouraging. Their support continues bringing my goal of utilizing urban timber in a sustainable manner to reality and for this I'm forever grateful.
Soon enough I got a call about some massive oak trees that had to be removed due to their declining health. They were approaching 235 years old and stood tall with massive trunks four feet across that seemed to speak to me as I envisioned the beautiful dining table top that I knew existed within that specimen. I feel so fortunate that I was able to meet with Jason Schmiesing from Schmiesing Tree Service because otherwise the next and final step in the life of this magnificent oak would have been limited to someone's woodstove. Instead I had the honor of cutting it into massive live edge slabs which each revealed a massive time period in history endured by this tree in addition to planting oaks that one day will fill the role of its predecessor. History dating back to the birth of America to now and every event in-between was revealed. For example on some of the last slabs we cut we had discovered four square nails about half an inch across where we suspect that someone 75-100 years ago must have nailed something like a bird house, clothes line, or sign leaving behind a mark that would later be discovered and serve as a moment of awe some years down the road. Little idiosyncrasies in the grain pattern of this tree caused by when the canopy branched out causing the grain to become interlocked resulting in figuring, often called crotch wood or flame made for shared moments of awe and realization of how truly beautiful this resource can be when given the chance to reveal itself. It is these natural and unnatural 'defects' that are at the forefront of reasons why large sawmills turn their heads at these trees.
Yet these same characteristics are what make each tree and slab for that matter so unique and special. This combined with the color, texture, and scent of wood that is vastly different across different species. In some cases the same species of tree may appear completely when comparing trees with different origins. A prime example being walnut where differences in available nutrients, sunlight, water intake, etc. has a significant impact on the color of the wood. These minute details add further interest and excitement to the entire process from yard to table. I cannot help but continue down this exhilarating and fulfilling road that serves to minimize our carbon footprint by utilizing a hidden plentiful natural resource in a manner that is focused on sustainability and appreciation of the lives led by trees often going unnoticed in people's daily lives.
· Date: December 4, 2018 · Views: 3334 · File size: 26.4kb, 423.8kb · : 1013 x 1350 ·
Hours Volunteered: 35
Volunteers: 2
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 17 & 37
Area Restored for Native Wildlife (hectares): 1.6
Trash Removed/Recycled from Environment (kg): 7257
Native Trees Planted: 3
Print View