Urban Almanac: Urban Wood Sale

It’s a big weekend for DIYers, dads, and DMV designers. Montgomery County Parks is hosting its annual urban wood sale that recycles wood from trees that have died in Montgomery County parks this year.

How It Works:

Each year, hundreds of trees that die in Montgomery County parks are then milled and given a new life. It adds up to roughly 100,000 board feet of lumber per year. But a lot of this is used in projects around the park system.

For example, a huge hunk of lumber is being reserved this year for a chainsaw sculpture that will soon be on display at Ken-Gar Park in Kensington. It’s being revealed on Thursday.

One Special Tree:

This year's crème’de la crop is the famous Linden Oak tree. It was the largest white oak in the country and over 300 years old when it died and was cut down earlier this year. Now, parts will be available at the sale.

Why Buy Here:

The sale takes place Saturday and Sunday in Gaithersburg, with pieces of lumber ranging from $5 to $400. Most have unique shapes and live edges you would never see at the hardware store.

Last year, lines formed down the street to get into the sale! So make sure to get there early if you want choice pickings.