Giving Trees a Second Life in Maritime Craftsmanship

Shipbuilding in Essex has always been an act of ingenuity—working with the environment rather than against it. Historically, Essex shipbuilders harvested local white oak and pine, shaping vessels that defined New England’s maritime legacy. Today, EHSSM continues this tradition of resourcefulness through our wood reclamation program, sourcing lumber from local tree companies that remove trees from residential properties.

Rather than letting valuable hardwoods be chipped or burned, we repurpose this lumber for traditional wooden boat construction. This process not only keeps our carbon footprint low by reducing reliance on imported lumber but also ensures that each tree removed serves a meaningful purpose in education, craftsmanship, and environmental stewardship.

Milling Lumber with Purpose

Every tree is different, and every piece of wood has a role to play in our shipbuilding process. We take great care in milling each log with purpose, ensuring that nothing is wasted.

Selecting & Sawmilling: Once logs are donated, we carefully assess them for the best use. Large, straight sections are milled for keels, frames, and planks, while curved pieces are used for naturally bent components like futtocks, small frames, stems, and knees.

Maximizing Every Bit: Even the smallest scraps are used. Offcuts fuel our steam-bending barrels, where we heat wood to make it flexible for shaping into bent frames or planking.

Traditional Splitting Methods: When a log is too large for our saws, we split it the old-fashioned way—by hand, using wedges and sledgehammers. This method, used by shipbuilders for centuries, allows us to work with the natural grain of the wood while minimizing waste.

Sustainable Craftsmanship: By reclaiming wood that would otherwise be discarded, we reduce environmental impact while continuing the Essex tradition of working with locally available resources.

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Thank You to Our Generous Wood Donors

We are deeply grateful to the tree care professionals who have supported our mission by donating reclaimed wood:

🌲 Montgomery Tree LLC
🌲 LaChance Tree Professionals
🌲 Iron Tree Service
🌲 Mayer Tree Service

These partners play a crucial role in ensuring that trees removed from residential properties are given new life in boatbuilding, education, and craftsmanship.

Interested in Donating Lumber?

If you have a tree that must be removed and would like to donate the wood to EHSSM, please contact:

📧 jeff@essexshipbuilding.org

Important Disclaimer:

• EHSSM does not remove trees—this must be done by a licensed tree care professional.

• If you need a tree removed from your property, we are happy to refer you to one of our trusted partners who specialize in responsible tree removal.

• We only accept wood from trees that were coming down anyway—we are not harvesting live trees for lumber.

• White oak, black locust, and clear white pine are the most valuable shipbuilding lumber.

By donating reclaimed wood, you are supporting sustainable shipbuilding, reducing waste, and helping us preserve maritime craftsmanship for future generations.

Why This Matters

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Most modern boatbuilders rely on imported lumber, often trucked or shipped thousands of miles. By using local reclaimed wood, we eliminate unnecessary transportation emissions and keep resources within the community.

Honoring a Legacy of Resourcefulness

Essex shipbuilders have always adapted to their environment, making the most of available materials. This program continues that tradition, ensuring that every tree removed serves a lasting purpose.

Educating the Next Generation

Reclaimed wood is used in our boatbuilding apprenticeships, student workshops, and hands-on maritime programs, allowing learners to experience true craftsmanship while understanding sustainability.

Join Us in Sustainable Shipbuilding

Support responsible wood reclamation
Ensure that valuable lumber serves a lasting purpose
Keep Essex’s shipbuilding traditions alive for future generations

If you’re interested in learning more or donating wood, reach out to us at 📧 jeff@essexshipbuilding.org.

Together, we can preserve maritime craftsmanship, minimize waste, and build a more sustainable future—one plank at a time.