In a world that is concerned about the effects of climate change and re-using & recycling as much of our waste as possible is fast gaining momentum, two Lismore locals have started a business that repurposes fallen trees.

Eighteen months ago Kris Gardener was spending 8-hours a day on his computer as part of a 'analogue to digital' photo and video transfer business called The Memory Bank with his wife Delilah when he felt he had to get out from behind a desk and be outdoors.

"I had some timber from a chainsaw mill and nowhere to store it," Kris explained, "I found this shed and asked the owner if it can leave it while it dries out."

"That's when the idea first hit me then I picked up the slab master to level the timber and found I had no money left," Kris went on.

What is a slab master? Andrew explained it is a "dirty big 3 phase industrial overhead router that can handle 1.5 wide by 6m long lengths."

"Andrew had started working for me by that stage and he loved the concept so brought some gear with him and we became partners."

Kris is a sparky by trade while Andrew is a chippy.

What struck Kris and Andrew was how much good wood was going to waste when trees were removed from properties for safety or renovation purposes or, as has been the case in the last three months, storms bring down many trees that need to be removed.

(Cleaning up after the recent heavy rain split a tree in two)

Ordinarily, the smaller parts of the tree would be put through the wood chipper while the remaining larger lengths would be left on a property, burnt or taken to council to be reduced in size then put through the wood chipper.

"We contacted all the local Tree Loppers and said we'll come and take the stumps away for free," Kris explained, "this is where most of our business comes from."

"Then you get trees that have fallen down in storms due to lightning or too much rain, like recently."

The photos show a woodpile from the last three weeks because of the rain that has fallen in the Northern Rivers while the second photo shows the collection for the last three months.

This wood has a drying process of 12-24 months before it can be re-purposed into usable lengths that people will make benchtops, tables or stools out of.

"Every bit of timber we have on-site has a metal tag on it to show that it has been legally and rightfully obtained," Kris said "This tag stays on the log until it is sold."

(Log tags are evidence of each trees history)

"We do not remove or chop down any tree rather we collect the wood once it is already fallen. We use 95% of each tree."

Once dried the logs go through the horizontal band saw or the slab master for people to buy.

How much are the slabs?

Kris said they are keeping prices down as low as they can, given they have to pay bills and make a living for their families.

"I had a lady come from Byron looking for a cheap bit of timber saying that she can't afford the two grand that she had been quoted there. We found her a nice slab for $350."

(Some of the cut slabs ready for sale with all their imperfections)

Renovators, hobbyists, builders and even school children are buying small to large slabs to repurpose into lots of different items. Kris explained that one childcare centre wanted a few logs in varying heights for the kids to play on.

"It is up to the individual or business how they use the timber. We are here to find solutions so that the timber gets re-used rather than burnt which it used to do in many cases," Kris said.

"We just gave some wood to CASPA recently which the kids will work within workshops."

(The $5 flitch pile of timber you can purchase at Big Scrub Salvage)

For people who are looking for sawdust for stables or chicken pens or even composting toilets, Kris and Andrew will give that to you for free. Just turn up with a bag, a trailer and a shovel.

The types of wood they have on-site include forest red gum, cadaghi (found in far north qld), hoop pine, slash pine, silky oak, swamp mahogany, grey gum, crows ash, camphor just to name a few. 

The 5-year plan is to have a Nursery and a cafe next door and to run woodwork workshops for artists and those people that like to work with wood.

You can find Big Scrub Salvage on Arthur Street, North Lismore just off Alexandra Parade near the Winterton Parade turn-off.