Brought Down by a Derecho but will Live on | Iowa's Biggest Cherry Tree?

In August 2020, Cedar Rapids was struck by a Derecho producing 140mph winds. These winds destroyed an estimated 70% of the tree cover in the city and surrounding area including this massive cherry tree (prunus serotina). The homeowners reached out to us almost a year later to salvage their tree as they were unable to find anyone locally interested in or able to do so. Josh and I made the trip in May 2021 to recover what we could from the tree.
Salvaging the tree - Salvaging the Biggest Cherry Tree in Iowa | Urban Logging
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[@bigdbecker1336]

You got to love this guy and his work ethic. Taking a tree no one would touch. Turning it into thousands of dollars of usable lumber. On a sawmill he built himself. This is impressive!

[@johnbergbauer8918]

Have you ever thought about investing in a hose. lol

[@tomcanham9218]

He's living my dream life. But just try to find enough land up here in the Seattle area to do any of this, unless you're already a millionaire. But if I could do this, it wouldn't be a work ethic, because it wouldn't be work! It'd be FUN. Of course, I'm sure there are tons of outtakes where he hurts himself or is just exhausted and not in the mood to haul thousand pounds of wood around... Video makes everything more glamorous.

[@HyloWard]

❤❤ I loved doing what this man is blessed with gitting to experience.❤❤💕👽

[@marjieestivill]

Scott Carlson, teacher of Iowa arborists and proponent of the Big Tree initiative, will receive this video to make his day because these monster cherry slabs are destined for history and admiration for generations to come.

[@judithfairchild8620]

Oh yes!!!!!

[@johnking8679]

Couldn't agree more !!

[@sea-ferring]

It was such a privilege watching you mill this beautiful old tree - I can't even imagine what it was like in person, being able to touch and smell the wood. This probably sounds pompous but I love that you can honor this tree by ensuring that its wood will endure - the pieces made from this will last centuries. It makes me really sad that so many old trees are wasted because the expense of hauling and milling them is prohibitive. Kudos to the home owners in Iowa for reaching out to you - I'm sure it was a huge help to them to have large parts of the tree removed from their property, and now that wood will be treated the way it deserves to be treated - trees like this rotting in a landfill certainly isn't the worst thing that can happen, but what you and Josh will create out of it will be timeless and beautiful in the extreme. Thanks for this channel and thanks for sharing your passion!

[@marjieestivill]

Ditto

[@starkenterprises2371]

Yup.

[@dwilt8221]

Mat y uare such a tree nerd wonderfuto see nerd which is awesome

[@jimbecker5675]

That is an INSANE log...wow...cherry is my favorite and that clearly is a "once in a lifetime or three" log!

[@davesmith5656]

I hope Josh goes with clear epoxy resin and not the black colored stuff. It's going to be tricky to plane and sand that piece at 22:00 mark.

[@davesmith5656]

AT about 36:40 "That's huge!" had to laugh that even someone like that guy would let on in his intonation that he was wondering how the heck he's going to handle that slab of wood! (Not that I've ever run into anything I wasn't sure I could handle.)

[@bwillan]

I think Iowa has now grabbed the crown from Pennsylvania for producing the best Cherry Trees. That tree has some crazy good figure and grain in it.

[@doylerabjohn3435]

Agreed

[@larryreddecliff2284]

Too bad you could not of recovered any cherries to plant and grow more cherry trees!!

[@robertm348]

@@larryreddecliff2284 He can have a botanist extract DNA from the slabs and grow another one, just like this one. Heck, he could populate the entire with these trees!

[@hoperules8874]

idk...mt Grandfather's property produced several cherry trees that were close to 140' tall as were the surrounding trees (honestly don't know exact girth-so leaving that off). The loggers he hired to bring them down to sell the trees-broke 7 chainsaws on the first tree-the first day.

[@MrMuncieman]

You have not looked at enough Pennsylvania cherry wood

[@kbaker7430]

Matt: Watching you and listening to you is a education in itself. Excellent information here.

[@majorpayne5289]

👍Massive cherry tree! Oh the true beauty of cherry wood. I built a cherry clock for my mother in 1982 school wood shop & it’s still a beauty hanging in moms hallway. Thx Matt 👍🇺🇸

[@VacFink]

After a long year of very hard work on the house and the barn-thing, its great to see so much excitement. A great way to cap off so much hard work.

[@gayle4804]

That is the most beautiful cherry wood I have seen in a very long time thank you both for sharing it with us

[@shumakerwoodworking4093]

Thank you for this video. I grew up in Iowa , so I love this old trees story.

[@judithfairchild8620]

Me too!

[@randyboldt603]

Did not know how much I missed your skills as a sawer , not to mention the commentary as a videographer ; then the wood presented all of it’s hidden Grandeur over , and over with each cut . Thank you for Sharing !!!

[@davesmith5656]

The care Matt put into setting the log up is remarkable. I doubt anyone could have done a better job.

[@macedindu829]

Sawyer!

[@slytherinmama5379]

I absolutely love that you like the crazy patterns and wonky pieces. I honestly thought I was abnormal because I love that stuff too.

[@jasonyanna9096]

As both a woodworker and resident here in Cedar Rapids, I was watching this video in awe of the beauty that this tree held beneath its exterior. This is definitely going to be some very beautiful, very unique wood for the ages and will be a true gem to work with.

[@robertm348]

What a great log! So much grain, so many crotches and burls are always a great surprise! Can't wait to see you construct the dresser!

[@wabio]

7:34 "It's just a bunch of guessing". Pretty much a synopsis of my entire woodworking experience. 😂

[@jimp.4531]

that is a rare and beautiful tree, glad you two got it and will make some wonderful furniture.

[@davesmith5656]

The slab in the 47:00 mark was the best. Just screaming to be a table. Great video, it does the log justice!

[@timmaggard8862]

Such beautiful Cherry wood. Gonna make some great furniture!

[@riccroft710]

I've gotten to work with some nice cherry over the years, but that is one of the nicest logs I've ever seen anywhere. I think your idea of doing three dressers over the years is really thoughtful. Please do a series on the first one. Congratulations on a great cutting session. Your colleague certainly added to this video. It would be neat to see his finished product.

[@steveminer8341]

God does not disappoint. Thank you for exposing and sharing His creation. Best of luck with all of your projects.

[@judithfairchild8620]

Gorgeous figures on the inside. The outside shapes have me cracking up laughing. The 1st few rounds were pig shaped then as you cut into the trunk it was dinosaur heads. Still so lovely in color.

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

Matt, I’ve been waiting for this sawmill job since the Iowa video last year, and now I’m drooling. I love working with cherry, and the ideas I’m getting looking at these gorgeous huge slabs… I couldn’t even begin to process one of these slabs into usable lumber in my current shop, but if there was ever an incentive to buy more tools, this is it!!!

[@nichfilk7767]

You would NEVER process one of these slabs into lumber brother. A slab of this size and quality is best left with a live edge and turned into a table or countertop in my opinion. By processing it into lumber I feel you take away the historical significance and how big this monster was and just turn it into some everyday cherry lumber that you wouldn't be able to tell from any other cherry lumber.

[@jamespooley7844]

I live in NW Minnesota now, but grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA. When Derecho happened I still lived in Iowa and drove to Cedar Rapids to help some of my family. Have never seen such widespread devastation in my life. There was a lot of very old and large trees, especially the older parts of town. It was very sad to see. Really enjoy your channel! Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

I like the "Fiddle Back".

[@B30pt87]

This is a fascinating video. Not just the enormous size, but also the variety of patterns and burls. I hadn't realized that cherry could even look like that. Plus, it's fun to see you guys interacting- including the Splash-O-Meter counts. Great job!

[@theodoranorton4779]

Well, I'm still not sure I believe it, but I certainly believe you gentlemen did it justice. Now I can have the pleasure of looking forward to the builds. Thanks very much for the update, and happy hernia.

[@robertpearson8546]

Thank God that the tree did not fall on a nearby house.

[@cathysolorzano6101]

That piece has a very beautiful color and grain awesome

[@margaretmclaren4685]

It's fun finding shapes in the slabs. Just like looking at clouds. ☁️☁️☁️

[@jonathanljohnson]

I heartily approve of your plans to build bombe chests from this gorgeous wood! It's a project that I'd love to do myself and I look forward to seeing the results of your efforts !

[@davelindstrom6005]

*Bombay* chests

[@bay9876]

The Biggest Cherry Tree gives the biggest surprise. Beautiful grain in cherry wood that could possibly be found. Such a beautiful Cherry tree lives on in beautiful exotic furniture.

[@dancrites453]

Started watching slabbing videos at the old homestead. Loved the addition/renovation at the new place, as well as the barn construction. Donovan cracks me up. You two play off each other very well. This cherry tree, however, was the most incredible tree I've ever seen. Absolutely stunning. Great video. Thanks so much for sharing....

[@13daniel1974]

I was just looking for this video about a week ago. I used to live in Cedar Rapids, and this tree was well known as a massive tree that was long lived. I was so happy to hear when you saved it.

[@jeffk2501]

With the historical significance of the tree. It is great the way you have documented and saved the history and importance to how you have a plan to use and save permanently. How the appreciation I have for your saving and use of it is absolutely huge.this is a record of time that could last an extremely long time. I would love to have a slab but. My own skills are not equal to this tree's importance. Love your work and thank you for taking us all with you on this journey.

[@kennethstevenson976]

That's the biggest and best pile of slabs I have ever seen from one tree. They are so solid with very few cracks.

[@danaskubic2145]

Awesome wood Matt, I don't think I will be around to see a second bureau. Hopefully looking forward to the upcoming video of the first one.Thanks for sharing.

[@localsouptalks]

I might be around for the second (if Matt stays on schedule!), but won’t be for the third. That bums me out, but two out of three ain’t bad.

[@robertpearson8546]

After seeing how useful and versatile your skid steer and telehandler are, I am glad you did not waste time and money on hydraulic handlers for your sawmill.

[@daviddifonzo7938]

That was great, I did not want that log/episode to end.

[@jagdishprasadkhaitan4815]

I love watching timber sawing.

[@antonoat]

Amazing, nothing can match nature’s beauty! 👏👍😀 can’t wait to see how you bring this timber back to life, it’s sure going to be very special! Thanks for sharing this, loving the channel! 👏👍😀

[@johngagne986]

That cherry is surreal. What a wonderful find and fantastic sawing guys.

[@shieldwolffalcontrainer9040]

After years of felling veneer here in iowa. I find the best wood is the figured woods that you mill. Love your videos and how you are so excited as you open each slab to expose what beauty is inside. Got a huge maple log that would produce alot of figure(i'm thinking). Don't thing my chainsaw mill can do that much work.

[@petermarsh4993]

Dear Matt, thanks for this beautiful timber cutting exercise. I note that your saw cuts smooth and flat with lots of sawdust. Other millers who have motorised feed seem to have lots of problems with their blades. Maybe, being a manual feed you are feeling the resistance continuously and adjusting the force to give you the excellent results you seem to get. Penny for your thoughts. Cheers.

[@douglascook2088]

Best looking and largest cherry tree I ever saw.

[@eddieforce2341]

Even the most talented artist could not match what nature has done in these pieces of wood.

[@ericcorse]

That is the Dune tree the color of spice and trees within trees. Magnificent tree.

[@richardthornhill4630]

Wow ... beautiful Cherry slabs.

[@siempreseagull2]

I don't know why it's so satisfying watch guys cut up big trees but it is.

[@mcburcke]

That's got to be one of the most amazing logs I've ever seen you process...wow! I absolutely love working with cherry stock...now I'm insanely jealous. Keep that pile under lock and key. Jus' sayin'...

[@carlwhite8225]

Matt, this was very cool, Thanks.

[@donnymcarter]

That’s definitely a beaut Clark!! Wow!!

[@christophermckinney984]

I’m glad you got a good Pole Saw, since if you go by the rule of not chainsawing above your head, that’s a LOT of real estate with your short self!!! 😂

[@sfan2767]

The Bombay chest in 20 years could time nicely to be a wedding gift for one of your children.

[@apiaryandy2478]

The amount of incredibly great looking board feet from this tree is astounding!

[@bruceg5729]

The laughter, can't have dirty wood 33:22 now we know who's behind the camera.👏👏👏

[@jaimecastells9750]

Amazing! I'm living vicariously through you, Matt!

[@hebierob]

Blessed to watch that tree show itself! Ty

[@p.d.nickthielen6600]

When you stand next that log …. OMG … huge

[@timothyball3144]

Just last week I revisited that recovery video. In that video, you said that you were going to build extensions for the mill, and now, here you are.

[@mcremona]

Finally 😄

[@mikeestes4119]

Wow. Just wow. What stunning wood! Well done!

[@LS-zj7kv]

I would love to see some finished furniture from this gorgeous cherry wood. congratulations!!

[@jillp3761]

I love trees and am always sad to see them felled either by man or nature. But it is truly WONDERFUL to see how much you both care about the slabs that appear from your cuts. I have done a little very amateur carving,the feel of the wood and the appearance of the grain feeds the soul. Thanks for your videos and the love and sense of humour in them, they make me smile 😊

[@staudtj1]

Without seeing it I never would have believed that a Cherry Log could be that Huge! Every slab you guys removed looked like a million bucks. Wow!

[@doylerabjohn3435]

That is one largest Cherry logs I have ever seen.....I am sure the camera does no justice..... Down here in the southeast we have Granddaddy Oaks bigger then that, I have see them....100-200 year old. With that being said that still one massive Cherry. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@mauriceryton]

Incredible, l hope at least one slab becomes a dining table or boardroom table. It would be criminal if this does not happen. Just magnificent.

[@RockHardWoodDaddy]

Never seen cherry burl before, that is amazing!

[@rickeybillings9229]

I am from Iowa love wild cherry trees that is a Mother Nature. One of a kind wow !!!! Great work !

[@kevingade5118]

I’ve been waiting to see that Cherry cut. It didn’t disappoint

[@topwater6365]

That tree was God’s artwork. Amazing, can’t wait to see what you do with it. Be great to see all the footage in one documentary on the making of furniture. Great job, great content!

[@raybaker8726]

The beauty of the wood inside that log is awesome. Glad to see it is going to be used and enjoyed.

[@tonywwp]

That cherry tree is epic

[@filmbluff99]

Some of those slabs should definitely make some impressive and beautiful cherry and resin table tops.🇬🇧😀

[@lindnova]

We get cherry trees up to 18" regularly before they get hollow and tip over in SE MN but that tree is unbelievable!

[@jamesfreda1903]

Matt .I've been watching you for quite a while and I really like your work and videos are excellent. I believe that you have basically found your dream job!! Your commentary keeps me engaged, and I enjoy hearing how you are going to make your cuts to get the exact results for the next adventure with the pieces of lumber. Thank for sharing.

[@jasonflechsig4203]

That is some of the most beautiful cherry I've ever seen. I would love to buy one a slab when you get them dry.

[@131dyana]

I enjoyed the video. Great job there.

[@stevena9512]

As a former firefighter, we used to crank our gear every Saturday during truck clean up. I still crank my gear at least once a week and let it run for about 10 minutes. And living in Alabama, our winters aren’t that harsh and there’s always something to trim, cut or mow. Love your videos, I use them every time I have an 2/4 cycle issue. Keep them coming.

[@robertneel8931]

Great looking slabs, marvelous tree!! Can’t wait for some finished projects!!

[@mcsawmill]

One of your best videos! That was an awesome log. I really liked watching you max out your saw, I know what that's like.

[@angelabarton4389]

Matt i love cherry at the best of times but that log...takes it to another level......it was fabulous....cant wait to see the furniture you will make from it 😊😊

[@karenk4793]

Wowzers! Absolutely incredible! I love cherry, but this tree went beyond just cherry.

[@why-be-normal7014]

Wow looks great . Did u notice the second piece u took down looks like a big beaver with a big back .. really cool

[@Raven-Creations]

So beautiful. Well worth the wait. Now I'm going to have to wait a few years (assuming you're air drying) for you to use it in your project. I need to build a time machine.

[@KaivalaJenva]

Bless that tree and the wood it has given that some people will truly appreciate it . Imagine if you planted a tree that loved a hundred or 300 years or even 1000 what cutting like this could show and tell

[@TheChuckb712]

Incredible!! Absolutely beautiful grain!! Keep them coming Matt.

[@MRrwmac]

Matt, WOWSA! Those are some absolutly b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l slabs you two got out of that tree. Obviously George Washinton didnt get to this one. Your water splash at 47:10 was as near perfect as anyone with one 5 gal bucket could get. Josh does well too though!

[@richardforster9816]

Great job! I am trying to imagine this fantastic tree cut Quarter Sawn.

[@nichfilk7767]

Quarter sawing a massive cherry like that would such a waste of such a beautiful tree. Something of that size and quality is best left in live edge slabs so everybody can appreciate its shear size and beauty.

[@bavondale]

Beautiful wood there. Great numbers on tosses too.

[@dannmarks]

Can't wait to see some furniture from this.

[@sheilamclaughlin963]

That second cut would make a great coffee table

[@fastjazz]

This tree doesn’t like being forked! 😂😂😂😂😂 Amazing slabs!!!

[@philipdiehl9849]

Matt I love your enthusiasm as you see the slabs one to life Grandpa Jack

[@Brian-os9qj]

Matt, you are a guy that knows FUN! Big boy toys and constructive interesting ways to use them.

[@jimaronson2323]

That is some beautiful wood. Wow!

[@randallsmith7885]

This was an amazing log. The grain patterns are beyond awesome!

[@BigRalphSmith]

I don't throw the word "epic" around casually but this cherry log qualifies.😲

[@starkenterprises2371]

Stunning log. I have a dying red oak 6' at base, 13' trunk, losing 20" limbs every 2 or three years, 4 to go. Would love to see something good done with trunk. Will buy your plans soon. I've watched this tree for 40 years at my aunt's, now mine, farm.

[@jeffkennelly344]

Ft laurderdale live

[@JeffreyKB]

You did a brilliant job taking your time accurately reading the wood. It is a fine talent that you possess to be able to foresee the best cuts to be made through the log. Well done.

[@mcremona]

Thank you very much!

[@chetbiddlecom6016]

what a beautiful tree! Wow!

[@tielkgate]

Good job on both the video and the tree slab results. Very entertaining and informative. Beautiful tree! Lowell

[@janmorris1098]

It is so awfully fascinating when you dont know what is in the middle of a log and when it is cut you get such wonderful patterning in the centre, awesome.