From Tree to Heirloom

Brennan Simpson offers a rare service that begins not in the workshop, but in the landscape itself. Through partnerships with arborists and sawyers, he works with clients who must take down a beloved tree — from an urban street to a family garden — and transforms that wood into heirloom furniture.

This long-term process, which requires careful milling and natural or kiln drying, is as much about patience as it is about craft. For Brennan, it is a collaboration between client and maker, honoring the story of the tree and the memories it holds.

One such commission began with the removal of an ash tree that shaded a bench where a client’s wife spent her afternoons. From that lumber, Brennan built three new benches — one for each of the man’s daughters — ensuring the tree’s presence continued in the family’s life for generations.

Each “From Tree to Heirloom” commission reflects Brennan’s belief in sustainability, legacy, and the enduring bond between people and the natural world.