Tree Purposed

About Tree Purposed — Saw Mill in Farmington Hills

Tree Purposed operates as a full-service sawmill in Farmington Hills, Michigan, specializing in custom lumber milling for woodworkers, builders, farmers, and furniture makers throughout Oakland County. Whether you bring your own logs or select from their inventory, they transform raw timber into precisely cut lumber, live-edge slabs, and custom beams using professional-grade bandsaw equipment.

Their product lineup includes custom-sawn dimensional lumber, stunning live-edge slabs perfect for tables and countertops, structural beams and timbers, and kiln-dried lumber for fine woodworking projects. Tree Purposed works with native Michigan species including oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and pine, offering both green lumber for immediate use and kiln-dried options for indoor projects.

Unlike big box lumber yards that stock only standard dimensions, Tree Purposed provides personalized milling services where you can specify exact dimensions, grain orientation, and cutting patterns. This local approach means shorter lead times, direct communication with the miller, and the ability to maximize yield from your valuable logs while supporting Michigan’s woodworking community.

Farmington Hills sits at the heart of Michigan’s thriving woodworking region, where abundant hardwood forests meet skilled craftspeople and builders. The area’s strong tradition of furniture making and custom millwork creates consistent demand for specialty lumber that only a dedicated sawmill can provide, making Tree Purposed an essential resource for the local woodworking ecosystem.

Photos

Own this business? Claim your listing to add photos.

Location & Directions

What to Expect When You Visit

Visiting Tree Purposed means stepping into an active sawmill environment where the air carries the fresh scent of cut wood and the sound of bandsaw blades slicing through timber. You’ll likely see stacks of air-drying lumber, freshly cut slabs revealing beautiful grain patterns, and the impressive bandsaw mill that transforms logs into usable lumber with precision cuts.

The team will discuss your specific project needs, whether you’re bringing logs to mill or selecting from their inventory of slabs and lumber. Expect to see the milling process firsthand, learn about different cutting patterns that maximize your wood’s potential, and receive expert advice on species selection, drying times, and proper handling of your custom-milled lumber.

Products & Materials

Tree Purposed specializes in custom-sawn lumber from native Michigan hardwoods and softwoods, with particular expertise in oak, hard maple, cherry, black walnut, ash, and eastern white pine. Their bandsaw mill can handle logs up to 36 inches in diameter, producing everything from standard dimensional lumber to wide boards and thick slabs that showcase the wood’s natural character.

Live-edge slabs represent a specialty focus, with inventory typically including dining table-sized walnut and cherry slabs, kitchen island tops in maple and oak, and unique pieces featuring natural edge bark inclusion and figured grain patterns. They offer both air-dried and kiln-dried options, with moisture content appropriate for your specific application.

Structural timber services include custom beams, posts, and specialty millwork for timber frame construction, barn restoration, and architectural projects requiring specific dimensions unavailable from conventional lumber suppliers. Their sawing capabilities extend to specialty cuts like quarter-sawn boards, rift-sawn lumber, and custom profiles for historic restoration work.

Who Shops Here

Tree Purposed serves a diverse clientele including professional furniture makers seeking premium slabs and specialty lumber, custom home builders requiring structural timbers and unique architectural elements, farmers and property owners looking to mill trees from their land, and hobbyist woodworkers pursuing projects that demand specific species or dimensions unavailable at retail lumber yards.

Serving the Farmington Hills, Michigan Area

Farmington Hills benefits from Michigan’s rich forestry heritage and proximity to Detroit’s historic furniture manufacturing district, creating a vibrant community of woodworkers, custom builders, and artisans who demand high-quality locally-sourced lumber. The area’s mix of urban craftspeople and rural landowners with timber resources makes Tree Purposed a vital link between Michigan’s forests and its skilled woodworking community.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Call ahead if bringing logs to ensure the mill can accommodate your timber size and schedule your milling session
• Ask about current air-dried slab inventory if you’re looking for live-edge pieces, as selection varies seasonally
• Bring project dimensions and species preferences to help identify the best cutting pattern for your logs
• Inquire about kiln drying services and timeline if your project requires specific moisture content
• Consider air-drying time when planning projects, as green lumber needs 6-12 months to reach stable moisture levels
• Discuss sticker and storage requirements for your lumber to prevent warping and ensure proper drying

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Farmington Hills, Michigan

The Metropolitan Woodworkers Guild serves the greater Detroit area including Farmington Hills, offering workshops, meetings, and networking opportunities for woodworkers of all skill levels. Nearby resources include the Ann Arbor Woodturners chapter of the American Association of Woodturners, which meets monthly and provides hands-on turning instruction. Oakland Community College in nearby Auburn Hills offers woodworking classes and has well-equipped shops, while the Woodcraft store in Royal Oak provides tools, materials, and regular workshops for the local woodworking community.

Find a local woodworking guild →  ·  Find an AAW chapter →

Frequently Asked Questions

Ratings & Reviews