I took this photo simply because I liked the lines and the weathered wood. Wasn’t sure if I’d ever use it.
Then I started researching ‘green wood’ and I discovered some interesting stuff.
I found THIS MAN who made me realize I could ask the service that trims our trees what they do with their loads. If they don’t donate it to people like him and if they don’t grind down for mulch then I am not using them anymore.
His article and the photos of the bowls he creates are copyrighted so I didn’t include them here – please visit him, the bowls are beautiful.
So this got me to searching ‘recycling trees’ and I found a very recent article about how trees killed by beetle infestation were being used to create fuel. A company in Florida has introduced an ‘air burner’ that can convert downed trees into electricity.
You can read the details HERE.
My last stop on this particular green tour was at motherearthnews.com – if you go to their home page and sign up you can get a free guide to plans for combating global warming. The ARTICLE I found relevant to this post was a story about how the small city of Hammond, Indiana – near Chicago – put into action a system that turns downed trees into profit for small lumber and furniture businesses. The city is saving money on dumping fees and, more important, they are not taking up land with rotting trees that spew harmful gasses back into the air. The small businesses are enjoying better profits by acquiring cheaper resources. Everybody wins – especially Mother Earth.
I’m going to bring my research to the next township meeting. There is so much – far too much – tree downing going on around here. If I can’t stop trees from being killed then I’m going to try to make their deaths not be in vain.
My photo started out as a simple shot of some wood that had a green hue. And then it inspired me to put in just a bit of effort. I came up with two actionable plans that can help our planet.
If I can do it, anyone can.
Maybe that’s what is necessary. Encouraging people to SEE what is around them and to FEEL for the earth and to THINK about what matters. That's what looking at my photo did for me.
For more inspiration check out THINK GREEN THURSDAY
19 comments:
Pencil shavings are probably unuseable, though I keep thinking about the tons of pencil dust and yellow paint in our landfills each year!
We've had our tree guy cut our limbs into firewood... you just have to age it. I think they SELL the huge trunks.
You never cease to amaze me. I like the idea of feeling the earth and think what matters. You always give me such food for thought.
See...feel...think...and then do something. That's the ticket!
I have a piccy of my woody bits from a year ago :
http://iceangelthemerc.blogspot.com/2008/05/wordless-wednesday-helmets-save-lives.html
Old, whacked a lot but still hard enough to do the business.
PS Had a choice a week or so ago ... Switch to cable tv or get a tree chopped down. I saved the tree and gave the satellite the push :-)
I was intrigued by the title.. tee hee ... guffaw ...
And as always you are leading the pack ... excellent post and excellent shaking of the cage so the rest of us do our part
Holly shit I've got problems! Was K.D. Lang SUPPOSED to be singing Helpless during that baby video??? :-D I'm so confused.
Baby laughter is the best. That's just that.
Yep. You're the best cage-shaker I know. You follow up on whatever you find, and we benefit.
Wait. I left that comment on the wrong post. Still confused.
I had no idea that these efforts were in place to recycle wood. It's fantastic!
Thanks for a great contribution to TGT, Dianne!
Love,
Gina
Good for you. And those bowls were beautiful.
I was listening to a story about how the unfortunate recession has at least forced people to think about recycling and even allowed us to create more green jobs, a trend I really hope continues and contributes an upswing.
Lastly, I can't help but wonder if animal shelters or rescue groups could use shavings or other debris. I know some take shredded office and newspaper for the puppies, they might need chips or shavings for the littler critters. ;)
We had a massive ice storm this last winter. Trees and tree limbs were down all over the place. Most of the debris has been piled up in some field somewhere. Seems like they could have done something more constructive with all that. But, that would cost money and government should never spend money, even if it's for the betterment of society. ;-)
I re-use tree limbs as an instrument with which to beat my child. Cheers Sexy!!
Those are both great ideas for going green. Here in Edmonton we have been chipping trees for mulch for several years, but I think I will forward the article on turning it to lumber for other uses to the city.
There are so many wonderful people who are taking the need for GREEN thinking seriously and doing something about it. All we have to do is find out about them, learn what they do and support them.
Thanks for the reminder to keep looking at ways to be kind to the planet.
Good for you! We recycle as much as possible - glass, tin, plastic, paper, clothes and are always on the lookout to do more. :)
I wish there was a more detailed recycling program here in Memphis... Actually it stinks.
I love the photo... and all that it inspired you to write. Oddly I read this this morning and thought I had left a comment. But maybe I forgot because I saw a very interesting piece on Bill Moyer's. It's not available on YouTube yet or I'd post it... but here's a link.
I love the "green" bowls.
Very inspiring.
Thanks for posting this! My husband turns bowls, but he's never used green wood. I love the way they take on a shape of their own. I'll pass this along to him.
And I'll look into the trees to furniture article too. They take down whole forests here to put up developments and hotels. It would help to know that at least the trees were used for something.
Great post Di! I almost missed it. I'm always on the lookout for those tree trimming chipper guys in my neck of the woods, the chipped stuff is great for mulching muddy garden paths.
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