Urban Tree

About Urban Tree — Hardwood Lumber in Pittsburgh

Urban Tree is Pittsburgh’s trusted hardwood lumber supplier, serving furniture makers, cabinetmakers, fine woodworkers, and hobbyists throughout the region. Located on Susquehanna Street, this specialized woodworking supply store focuses exclusively on providing quality hardwood boards in both domestic and exotic species.

The lumber yard stocks hardwood boards sold by the board foot in rough, S2S (surfaced two sides), and S4S (surfaced four sides) formats. Customers can choose from popular domestic species like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut, as well as exotic woods including mahogany, teak, and figured varieties with unique grain patterns.

Unlike big box stores that carry construction lumber, Urban Tree specializes in hardwood boards graded specifically for fine woodworking projects. Their knowledgeable staff understands wood grading standards (FAS, Select, #1 Common), moisture content requirements, and can provide guidance on species selection for specific projects and custom milling services.

Pittsburgh’s strong manufacturing heritage and growing maker movement create steady demand for quality hardwood lumber. The city’s furniture makers, cabinet shops, and woodworking enthusiasts rely on local suppliers who understand the difference between construction-grade lumber and premium hardwood boards suitable for heirloom furniture and fine cabinetry.

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What to Expect When You Visit

Visiting Urban Tree feels like stepping into a serious woodworker’s paradise, with stacks of carefully organized hardwood boards arranged by species and grade. The distinctive aroma of fresh-cut hardwood fills the air as you browse through lumber racks containing everything from common cabinet-grade boards to stunning figured pieces with dramatic grain patterns.

Staff members are typically experienced woodworkers themselves who can discuss the characteristics of different species, help calculate board foot requirements for your project, and recommend the right grade and moisture content for your intended use. Many customers spend time hand-selecting boards, examining grain patterns and checking for defects before making their final choices.

Products & Materials

Urban Tree stocks a comprehensive selection of hardwood lumber in various grades and formats. Domestic hardwoods include red and white oak, hard and soft maple, cherry, walnut, ash, hickory, and poplar, available in thicknesses from 4/4 to 8/4 and beyond. Each species is available in multiple grades from FAS (Firsts and Seconds) down to #1 Common, allowing customers to match board quality to their project requirements and budget.

The exotic wood selection features mahogany, teak, padauk, purpleheart, and other imported species prized for their unique colors and working properties. Figured woods like curly maple, quilted maple, and birdseye maple are stocked for customers creating show-stopping furniture pieces and specialty projects.

All lumber is properly kiln-dried to appropriate moisture content levels, and the facility offers custom milling services including planing, ripping, and dimensioning to customer specifications. Board foot pricing is clearly marked, and staff can help calculate material needs based on project plans.

Who Shops Here

Urban Tree serves a diverse community of wood enthusiasts including professional furniture makers crafting custom pieces, cabinetmakers building kitchen and bathroom installations, hobbyist woodworkers pursuing weekend projects, and contractors needing specialty millwork materials. Art students from local schools, restoration specialists working on historic buildings, and makers creating everything from cutting boards to heirloom dining tables all rely on the quality hardwood selection available here.

Serving the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Area

Pittsburgh’s industrial heritage and growing maker community have created a vibrant woodworking scene throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. The city’s numerous furniture makers, custom cabinet shops, and woodworking clubs generate steady demand for quality hardwood lumber, while the region’s proximity to Appalachian forests provides access to excellent domestic hardwood species like cherry, walnut, and oak that grow naturally in Pennsylvania’s climate.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Bring project dimensions and calculate board foot requirements beforehand – staff can help verify your math and suggest alternatives
• Inspect boards personally when possible, as grain patterns and figure can vary significantly even within the same grade
• Ask about moisture content if you’re starting work immediately – some projects benefit from additional air drying time
• Consider mixing grades strategically – use FAS boards for visible surfaces and #1 Common for hidden structural elements
• Inquire about custom milling services to save time on dimensioning and surfacing
• Check current inventory by phone for specific species or large quantity orders

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh area offers excellent woodworking resources including the Pittsburgh Woodworkers Guild, which provides workshops, meetings, and networking opportunities for local craftspeople. The Steel City Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners serves turning enthusiasts in the region, while makerspaces like HackPGH in Wilkinsburg offer access to woodworking tools and community workspace. Community College of Allegheny County provides formal woodworking courses, and the local Woodcraft store in McMurray supplies tools, materials, and classes for woodworkers of all skill levels.

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

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