Oak Tree – Selling or Donating Possibility?

Q: We must remove a huge, beautiful oak tree. It’s healthy, but has outgrown its available space. Is there a way to sell or donate this tree?

A: Selling or donating a tree is problematic. A firewood vendor could use the wood, but they usually have a firm relationship with a tree service who will deliver oak logs directly to their splitting yard. Oak makes good flooring but no flooring mill would risk buying a tree from a homeowner, due to the risk of metal in the trunk ruining their saw blades. Small-scale woodworkers MIGHT want specific trees if there is a burl (swelling) or interesting pattern to the limbs but finding such an individual is tough. Try calling Highland Hardware in Atlanta to see if you can advertise the tree, with pictures, on their bulletin board.