Urban tree and woody yard residues : another wood resource

Urban tree and woody yard residues are an important component of the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream in the United States. In 2000, approximately 14.5 million tons of urban tree and woody yard residues was generated, nearly 7% of total MSW. Some woody residues are being recovered for recycling, composting, or other uses, but a large proportion is simply discarded. In total, urban tree and woody yard residues form a resource about as large or larger than the current timber harvest from National Forests. Materials from each of these two sources have distinctly different properties and, in general, are not interchangeable. Urban tree and woody yard residues are typically suited for low value products such as mulch, while National Forest timber is suited for high value solid wood and pulp products. In 2000, just over 12 million tons of timber was harvested from National Forests, compared to 14.5 million tons of urban tree and woody yard residues generated.