Crafting Purpose from Reclaimed Roots: Carolina Urban Lumber Turns Fallen Trees into Lasting Careers

By Sam Ettaro for Put Tools in Schools

Pineville, NC — In the heart of the Charlotte metro area, among the sound of saw blades and the scent of freshly milled wood, a quiet revolution is unfolding. At Carolina Urban Lumber, discarded city trees are reborn as heirloom-quality furniture—and, just as importantly, as meaningful careers.

Founded by Damon Barron over a decade ago, Carolina Urban Lumber is more than a woodworking shop. It’s a mission-driven enterprise turning waste into worth. "These trees are all waste products in a city like ours," Barron says. "We recover them, mill them right here, and turn them into something lasting—something with a story."

Each slab of wood that passes through the shop carries a piece of Charlotte’s history. Some are geotagged to the exact address where the tree once stood. Scan a QR code beneath a dining table at a local bar or office, and you'll discover its origin: the backyard of a South Charlotte home, a schoolyard tree felled in a storm, or a sidewalk sentinel removed by city crews.

"We just like to tell the story," says Barron. "Because we think it matters."

The Trades, Reimagined

Carolina Urban Lumber’s work is not just about wood—it’s about people. In a time when the trades face a nationwide talent shortage, the company has become a beacon for purpose-driven employment.

Ray Terry, host of the Put Tools in Schools podcast, recently visited the shop to highlight career pathways in woodworking. He was joined by Wally Bell, a 40-year-old craftsman who transitioned from a 20-year career in the restaurant industry to custom furniture making.

"I got burnt out on the late nights and bar scenes," Wally recalls. "Now I get to do what I love—and I get to see the joy on people’s faces when we deliver something we’ve built. It’s like Christmas every day."

"Most kids have no clue about the opportunities and the rewards," Terry says. "This is woodworking 101 at its finest."

Wally’s story is emblematic of a larger trend: growing interest in hands-on, sustainable careers. According to Grand View Research, the global reclaimed lumber market was valued at over $56 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass $78 billion by 2030. Much of that growth is being driven by environmentally-conscious consumers and the rise of green building standards like LEED.

Yet despite that growth, talent is scarce. “Craftsmen? Yes. Are they hard to find? Yes. Impossible, in part,” says Barron. “But when people see what we do—when they see there’s meaning in it—they want to be a part of it.”

Reclaiming More Than Just Wood

The company's ethos reaches beyond craftsmanship. It's about community, sustainability, and second chances—both for materials and for people.

Barron himself is a high school dropout turned entrepreneur. "I knew that if I was going to make it, I would have to work really hard and be smart," he says. His advice to young people? "Learn something and dedicate yourself to it. Even if it’s not your passion yet—it will be."

That message resonates. In an age where college debt burdens many and traditional career paths feel out of reach, Carolina Urban Lumber offers a tangible alternative: skill, purpose, and pride in a job well done.

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From ambrosia maple to so-called "junk" poplar, every piece of wood in the workshop has a story. And so do the people. Whether it's building a podcast studio table from salvaged urban timber or crafting a one-of-a-kind bar top for a local business, each project merges craftsmanship with legacy.

Barron's vision has turned a former waste stream into a creative pipeline—and his team into storytellers. "Heirloom," he says, "means it’s going to last. For your kids and their kids. That’s the level we’re aiming for."

"If you're looking for a specialized, unique, high-ticket piece of furniture that you can trace the history behind," Terry says, "you need to visit Carolina Urban Lumber."

Located at 10412 Rodney Street in Pineville, NC, Carolina Urban Lumber continues to grow, one story—and one slab—at a time.

Get Involved

Visit www.puttoolsinschools.org to:

• Volunteer at a local school

• Sign up your company for career day programs

• Donate to help expand trade awareness efforts
  

Support the mission by donating or volunteering at www.puttoolsinschools.org.