Today we’d like to introduce you to Tad Derrickson.
Hi Tad, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, my grandfather ran a sawmill and had a Christmas tree farm – so I spent my youth around trees, logs, and sawdust. Of course, as I came of age, working hard in a dirty dangerous environment was the last thing I aspired to do, so I off to college, and following that time in the Army.
When we bought our farm some 20 years ago, we decided to live as sustainably as possible. To that end, we heat our house with wood. One day, I was cutting some logs to split for firewood – happened to be Black Walnut. And I thought to myself…. what are you doing burning walnut for firewood?!? So remembering my youth, and grandfather, I decided I would like to try my hand at a sawmill
Today we focus on helping folks repurpose their trees into lumber and liveedge slabs so that the tree can live on. There is a component of being ecologically sound in that we are recapturing carbon that would otherwise be released with the dying tree.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not always smooth. Lots of education of folks as to why this idea makes sense.
Also always struggling with developers as they try to clear land for their projects.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about TNtree?
Our focus is on repurposing trees into usable lumber. We love taking a tree that has been in a family for generations, and either due to storm damage or just end of life – the tree has to be removed.
We can take that tree and create lumber or live slabs that can be used to create tables. benches, shelves, anything you can think of, and that tree can continue to live on in the lives of that family.
What’s next?
Growth here in middle Tennessee is exploding. I look forward to helping folks make good sustainable decisions about their trees. Planning to install a wood drying Kiln this year so that we can help folks have access to their lumber sooner.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tntree_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TNTreeremoval
