As you approach the General’s house at the Point Loma Marine Base in San Diego you can’t help but notice the similarities to Balboa Park in both the architecture of the residence and the landscaping. The expansive lawn, meticulously landscaped, leads to a home built in the Spanish Colonial style.
The Marine Base, built around same time as Balboa Park, paid homage to what has become San Diego’s flagship architectural style. As the city grew, the park, and the base, became famous landmarks tourists flocked here to see.
Rumor has it that new marines on base would sneak seedlings out of Balboa Park to give the General as gifts for his new house on base.
Over a hundred years ago the lawn at the General’s house was a blank canvas begging for trees, fauna and flowers. The marines delivered and helped create the groves of trees, the gardens filled with colorful flowers, and the relaxing shaded areas where you can still sit, talk, and enjoy the surroundings to this day.
A hundred years later that little seedling had grown into an enormous eucalyptus tree over 70’ tall. Unfortunately, with the heavy weight of the tree, the shallow root structure and recent heavy rains, the tree began to lean and the roots popped up out of the soil. The General’s century old eucalyptus became an extreme hazard that had to be removed.
The cavalry was called in to help!
Our team at Old Fashioned Lumber was able to save multiple sections of the tree that can be used to construct furniture. The main trunk of the tree weighed in at an impressive 11,000 lb. A 10’ section that is 7’ in diameter saved and it will produce seven 5 to 6 inch slabs.
If you visit Old Fashioned Lumber now, you will park in the shadow of a tree trunk that dwarfs your automobile. Soon we will begin the intensive work of milling the slabs to dry in our solar kiln.
Our team works extensively with local tree organizations, conservationists, and homeowners to salvage trees so they may be repurposed into furniture.
If you are faced with the sad task of removing a tree on your property, turn it into the opportunity to create a legacy furnishing with a unique story.
Our team handles the entire process from tree removal, to milling, to drying, to designing, and finally to handcrafting a piece of furniture that will be testament to your tree’s legacy.