The Triangle Woodturners of North Carolina have been active in our community by working with other non-profit groups on historic tree projects. We have found these projects to be wonderful community relations as well as terrific fund raisers. Other chapters of the AAW could do the same type of projects. The North Carolina Woodturners had a successful project with the City of Lexington, NC using wood from a line of Bradford Pear trees which once lined their main street area. Tree projects can be started anywhere there is an interest in historical trees.
Most people have a great affinity to trees due to their long life.
We tend to look upon trees with significance since they are beacons in our lives and take so long to reproduce. Tree projects are a perfect way to give the public heirlooms to decorate their homes and remind them of days of old. The past leadership of the TWNC recognize this and realized that this was a wonderful win-win situation. We could make objects of affection for the public and raise funds for our activities at the same time. We decided early on that we should take on a partner for the projects and non-profit history and arts groups were a perfect match.