Salvaging a 100’ Walnut Tree that is 175 Years Old

In September 2020 GL Veneer was given the opportunity to salvage and repurpose a 175-year-old homestead black walnut tree. Ray Winters, the homeowner contacted us about removing his tree because it showed clear signs it was at the end of its life. The tree was shedding large limbs and had become hazardous. This 100’ tall 8’ diameter tree was the focal point of their family farm. The canopy stretched over 200’ across. While the decision was not easy for the family, they took comfort knowing the tree was beginning a journey that would transition it into a second life. The memories they shared would be forever preserved in the grain of the wood treasures yet to be created. With the help of Harvest Recovery Services, John Rodius, and his son we were able to cut and remove this massive tree in under 2 days. The color and grain in the wood of Ray Winter’s tree were remarkable and far exceeded any expectations. There is enough wood in Ray Winter’s tree to produce thousands of pieces of gorgeous furniture - From cutting boards to boardroom conference tables.
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[@larss592]

As a wood worker of 35 years all i can say is just WOW. Kudos to this family for allowing this magnificent tree to be shared and enjoyed by what i would estimate to be 1000+ families. To the Ww2 vet owner of this tree- sir i salute you and feel that a part of your families legacy will live on for generations in the creations enabled by the beauty of this tree. GL veneer- follow up would be greatly appreciated.

[@GLVeneer]

Lars, we couldn't have said it better ourselves. Thank you for your comment.

[@jackanapes6676]

There was a walnut tree in northern Il that was just removed on a back road in a ditch recently and was on public land. The tree was 5ft through and around 80ft in height and was 115 yrs old as I was able to age the tree. I was highly disappointed the tree was removed, however, as we know whoever makes these decisions always has some phony reason that the tree has to be removed. The tree was there 115 yrs and never a bother. Senseless.

[@oatmeal63]

Jon Peters recommended this video as well as GL Veneer. The video was perfectly done. A beautiful story, family, and what a tree. Excellent work from all.

[@VativMedia]

Thank you John!

[@kls816]

What a magnificent tree and what a gift to the universe! It does not surprise me that a WWII veteran is selfless enough to care for the tree and then allow it to live on in countless households. My father is also a WWII veteran so I know what the Greatest Generation is all about...and you sir....are a shining example of that! God Bless you and your family and I am very sorry for the loss of your wife. ❤🇺🇲

[@GLVeneer]

Kerry, thanks for your comment! Yes, this tree will continue to live on in too many new homes.

[@lobstermendez]

It was hard to tell the scale of this tree until it was laying down with people next to it. Walnut is probably my favorite type of wood and this is incredible.

[@shakejones]

a majestic tree deserves a great team of people - beautiful! well done mate! thanks for sharing!

[@nathaniellucas6693]

Absolutely beautiful. Love the way you made this video in memory of this tree versus just cutting it for a profit. Nice job

[@Pvandemeent]

From woodworkers perspective; I want that wood. From arborist perspective; if the owner sent in an arborist to prune it, the tree could have lived for decades more. Just because limbs are breaking doesn’t mean he’s dying

[@Shortdraw01]

The way this was handled with respect to the owner and to the tree is really nice. Looks like a good portion will be beautiful material.

[@mattbowers5342]

I appreciate the respect for this awesome tree by not only the people doing the work, but the family that owned it. I hope somehow we can see what it becomes!

[@freckles3705]

To the grandfather...Thank you for your service to our country.

[@TheHypnotstCollector]

I just bought a Woodland Mills band saw. Our yard is a 100 old Black Walmut orchard. So, I cut down a few and let them cure.... And on Feb 2 2023 I hired a trachtor to remove some stumps... WOW! Those trees make big roots! I have a few stumps. So if you read this and want some stumps I have them. I'm making my first slabs from the tree today, Feb 3, and I'm looking for lessons in cutting for figure

[@robertechols9094]

Thank you for your service sir!!!

[@jayd1877]

Tree looked very healthy, greed wins out.

[@troystaten5633]

Looks like you will get some amazing wood out of that tree, thanks for showing us.

[@Fbarts]

I'm no tree hugger and understand the reason to harvest, but it was hard to watch that big beautiful creation being cut down.

[@GLVeneer]

Agreed!

[@tonynguyen36]

100 right

[@Monkeysic]

Slice the root ball up!! You get some of the most amazing slabs with figure and character. I love milling root balls!

[@Excitable101]

2 things I would do, plant a new walnut tree there and make something from some of the wood for the man to have and hand down.

[@odiesclips7621]

Thank you for this video!

[@gennaterra]

So painful to watch, but the best decision. This tree will live forever in different forms. This wood deserves to be worked by the best american woodcrafters, and hand Ray Winters a gorgeous piece. A new Walnut tree should be planted in the same spot for the next 175 years.

[@davidcrandell1172]

Awesome story guy, thanks for posting

[@johnbauby6612]

The real shame is that there was not one other Walnut tree anywhere else on the farm. You'd think someone over the past 175 years would have had the sense to plant at least ONE Walnut tree from the billions of nuts it dropped over the years.

[@fredricksickelbower9431]

As a wood turner I wish I would have been there to pick up your drop.

[@johngeorge5285]

This is a good story about the tree, the family & what will happen to the wood from the tree. An awesome ending to this story would be if you took a cutting from this tree & got it to root & replanted it in the same spot so this tree could live on for that family. I know that's not your thing, but that would have been a cool thing to do for the old man. Thanks for sharing.

[@HankinsExcavating]

For everyone to even take the time to harvest a barnyard tree is a merical in its self but what you guys did is above and beyond!!! The value in the tree wasn't$$$ I tip my hat!!!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Well Done! Great Story and Video.

[@dennismky]

When Chinese cut tree : Blame When white people cut tree : Great video What a shame...

[@joad47]

Pete was the first to sing "Turn, Turn, Turn" but most will remember the The Byrds version of the song. Pete was very honored to have the The Byrds do their rendition.....he liked it so much that when he sang the song, he did so in the The Byrds version. FYI

[@shaunmcdaniels2460]

I am always sad to think something that old has to go... You just wonder how much longer it could have lived and the stories it could have told.... I am glad that it was used for better purposes as opposed to being shedded or thrown away....

[@562LBLegend]

What I wouldn't give to have a cookie from that stump. Good lord.

[@funtyes1970]

wow what a beautiful tree that was , it was so big . i think someone should make a some kind furniture from that tree for the memory's for family, maybe a dinner room table . and how many wood slabs they will get from this tree it only be a small part from all that wood to make a dinner room table . after cutting all them slabs from that tree i couldn't manage how much money one slab would cost . black walnut sure not cheap wood to buy

[@koltoncrane3099]

They should have kept some seeds to replant a few

[@13daniel1974]

You mention cabinet and furniture wood. Do you whole sale, or just sell locally? Currently I live in South Dakota (West end) and our wood is Pine, Fir, Cedar, and a few oak. It is hard to find other good quality wood unless it is shipped in.

[@GLVeneer]

Please contact [e-mail] and send this request to Daniel 👍🏼

[@Zorbakozak]

Great timing! It’s not just for one piece of furniture, but many. You’re such a tree ruin such a place you could always plant more further apart in the general area.

[@gideonknapp4006]

Hey Dodge man where are you located

[@mrlfordf150]

I’d like to see some of the stuff made from this tree

[@GLVeneer]

Stay tuned!

[@gennaterra]

@@GLVeneer Yes, please... can't wait!

[@timotei4112]

GL Veneer can you share what you made from it, what the slab cuts look like

[@dodgeman4046]

I have a big walnut tree in my yard that's aging out and I'd like to see something done with it

[@GLVeneer]

Hi there, send Daniel an email at [e-mail]!

[@cameronwill9905]

where are you located at? Interested in your tree

[@rushd45]

It would be great if you offered up to some shiprights the roots so that they could make some knees for their boats.

[@rolandmoreno3526]

How much money is grandpa getting from this cut

[@tamastoemoeri4689]

Make sure to care about the root-ball properly-it would give you some gunstock-material with amazing figure I believe as the tree is over 150 years passed-excellent material!!

[@pavlovssheep5548]

good to see you got the stump as well, to often you see them deliberately left in ground or use stump grinders , as people do not know the value , especial as use for high end gun stocks

[@mikeyazel8725]

Large trees shed limbs all of the time when the limbs are shaded out by ones above them which appears to be just what this tree was doing, my guess is left alone it would have outlived everyone alive today.

[@cjsawinski]

Your not wrong... but then it would rot from the center out and just die away and not be usable for anything. It’s on private property (not in a rain forest somewhere). Craftsmen and woodworkers will enjoy putting every usable inch of that tree into some sort of beautiful project. And the property owner pocketed about $50,000 from that tree.

[@rhouse900]

I’m interested in a slab from this tree. May I contact you for prices?

[@GLVeneer]

Please do! [e-mail] and send to Daniel 👍🏼

[@TommasoScappini]

You should have planted another one...

[@rudysaldivar4228]

Looks like you can get more than 4 thick slabs from that trunk. Just my opinion.

[@sandshred25]

Greed. That tree was very healthy.

[@Pvandemeent]

From our point of view, yes. But they were there and got a close look, and saw what we couldn’t see.

[@derricksondw]

You going to pay his bills?

[@wildyard5290]

You can still start new trees from the old tree. homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-new-tree-branch-44685.html There could have be a lot of new trees grown from that one. You still could salvage the wood too.

[@josephstevens1749]

Let's not forget the $15,000 u got paid for the tree

[@rajbeekie7124]

I am thinking the old dude was handsomely paid. If not, I'm thinking he got ripped off. Walnut trees 10 times smaller sell for thousands of $$$. Just 1 slab from that tree is thousands of $$$. The end products are probably over $100,000.

[@alansimpson596]

Some glorious wood to be harvested from that wonderful old tree. I'm a hobby woodworker/turner and live in Ireland. Would you ship it over to me at a reasonable price???

[@GLVeneer]

Absolutely! This tree will yield all sizes. Send us a message at [e-mail]

[@mommywinters8946]

Mythee