From Canopy To Community: How Memphis Leads in Urban Wood Innovation

A LEGACY OF HARDWOOD: MEMPHIS’ HISTORICAL ROOTS
Urban hardwood, trees felled in cities and communities, has long been overlooked, often discarded as waste. But in Memphis, TN, this resource has become the foundation of a thriving, sustainable ecosystem where waste transforms into value, creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and fostering environmental stewardship.

Memphis is a model city for urban hardwood initiatives, but this isn’t a new development; it’s a revival of the city’s legacy as the “Hardwood Capital of the World” during the early to mid-20th century. Back then, Memphis thrived as a hub for the hardwood industry, thanks to its access to vast hardwood forests, the Mississippi River, and extensive rail networks. However, overharvesting, shifting manufacturing trends, and global competition led to a decline in this title. Today, through urban hardwood initiatives, Memphis is rediscovering the economic and environmental potential of its local wood resources.

Leaders Turning Waste into Wealth
At the heart of this ecosystem are local leaders and organizations, including Roshun Austin of The Works, Inc. (theworkscdc.org), Kayla Stuart of Tree CPR, Jennifer Judd of Unified Wood Economy (uweconomy.org), and Matthew Wrage of CityWood (city-wood.com). Together, they demonstrate that urban hardwood is more than a byproduct of city maintenance; it’s an untapped resource with immense potential. Trees removed for safety, development, or storm damage hold significant value. By redirecting this resource from waste streams to high-value uses, Memphis demonstrates how urban hardwood can drive economic growth. As Wrage noted, “We’re talking millions and millions of board feet a year… that’s just Memphis.”

Circular Economy in Action: Unified Wood Economy’s Model
This immense potential is harnessed by organizations like Unified Wood Economy, which transforms what would be waste into durable, high-value products. Their process not only captures carbon but also supports local economies by creating jobs and promoting sustainable practices. Judd, Chief Operating Officer at Unified Wood Economy, explained, “Our mission is to divert wood waste from low-value uses to high-value uses, creating jobs, reinvesting in communities, and capturing carbon.” This approach embodies a circular economy, where local resources are continuously reused, providing lasting benefits.

Tree Canopy Equity and Environmental Justice
Memphis also addresses environmental justice through tree canopy equity. The city’s summers can be intensely hot, with average high temperatures reaching 92°F in July and August and about 64 days each year exceeding 90°F (National Weather Service, 2023). “Our zip code [38106] is 13 miles to the west of Collierville [a suburb of Memphis], which probably has a much better tree canopy. It’s also probably 10 degrees cooler on a Memphis summer day, and that’s significant,” explained Austin, President and CEO of The Works, Inc. In this context, tree canopy becomes critical for cooling neighborhoods. “Less affluent neighborhoods may have vegetation, but it’s often invasive or poorly maintained,” explained Stuart of Tree CPR. This disparity, rooted in historical policies like the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, has left low-income areas with less access to healthy tree cover. Tree CPR promotes diverse, healthy tree cover-age and provides training for residents in green industries, ensuring sustainable benefits for all communities.

The Memphis Urban Wood Project: Collaboration for Change
This commitment to green spaces is amplified through a collaborative effort with Unified Wood Economy and The Works, Inc., which together launched the Memphis Urban Wood LLC—an initiative that redirects downed trees from landfills into valuable products like lumber, compost, and mulch. Not only does this project reduce carbon emissions, but it also creates jobs and reinvests revenue into community tree-planting efforts, directly supporting sustainable green spaces. This mission aligns seamlessly with The Works, Inc.’s broader commitment to community development and environmental equity. As Austin, President and CEO of The Works, Inc., emphasized, the benefits of urban hardwood extend beyond economic value.

Unlocking Domestic Market Potential
The domestic market potential of urban hardwood is significant. By transforming waste into high-value products, Memphis keeps economic value local, supports job creation, and fosters a sustainable marketplace. Durable goods crafted from reclaimed wood—like furniture and artisan products are sold directly to consumers, boosting the local economy. The lumber from Memphis Urban Wood is also aggregated by local companies and sold around the country, bringing wealth from outside Tennessee into Memphis.

Sustainable Craftsmanship: CityWood’s Vision
Wrage of CityWood sees even greater potential. As the founder and owner of CityWood, Wrage oversees the entire process, from sourcing reclaimed wood to designing and crafting custom pieces. His mission is clear: “Our goal is to take a waste stream item… and turn it into something better.” Wrage’s leadership exemplifies how local craftsmanship can turn discarded resources into high-quality products, reflecting Memphis’ commitment to sustainability.

A Model for Sustainable Cities Nationwide
In Memphis, urban hardwood is more than a resource—it is a catalyst for transformation. What was once discarded now supports local economies, empowers communities, and promotes sustainability. Leaders like Austin, Stuart, Judd, and Wrage have proven that with vision and collaboration, urban and community-sourced wood can become a model for economic growth and environmental stewardship. As Memphis reclaims its legacy, it sets a powerful example for cities nationwide: true sustainability is rooted in community, innovation, and a commitment to making the most of what others overlook.

REFERENCES:
National Weather Service. (2023). 2023 Climate Graph for Memphis. Retrieved from https://www.weather.gov/meg/cligphmem2023

By BRENNAH HUTCHISON, Content Strategist & Editor