Salvage wood

mobile saw mill with a log on it being milled

The Seattle campus is home to more than 10,000 trees growing on 643 acres. UW Facilities Grounds Management protects and nurtures these trees through their natural lifespan. When trees must be removed, UW Facilities’ highly skilled carpenters can give them a second life and extend their value, converting them into name plates, diploma frames, benches, desks and other large and small specialty items: this is the UW Salvage Wood Program.

If you’re interested in a finished or custom salvage wood product made from a UW campus tree, browse through the options below and submit a request. Feel free to initiate a request to quote a custom project of your own imagination. You can also browse the tree sources available via the salvage wood program map.

wood branch split and finished with name engraved on surface

wood diploma holder with UW diploma displayed

custom wood bench in a building near a window

A UW payment worktag is required to order Salvage Wood products.

Learn more about the history of the Salvage Wood program.

Service options

Name plates and other personalized / engraved products

Name plate

Great for desks or office reception areas. Personalize by name, unit, college or school. Choose from American elm, big leaf maple, northern red oak or cork oak. Name plate pictured is cork oak.

Engraved wood plaque

wood piece with UW and a husky engraved on it

Dubs and UW — what could be better? Each piece is truly unique, just like you. The University of Washington official seal is also available. Choose from American elm or big leaf maple.

Recognition retirement award

wood piece with award text engraved on surface

Honor a retiring employee or a valued donor with a one-of-a-kind gift. Personalize with name and milestone details. Reverse side can include additional customized engraved text. Mounted on plaque stand. Choose from American elm, big leaf maple or northern red oak.

Request a personalized / engraved product

Cost

Name plate: $150
Engraved wood plaque: $150
Recognition retirement award: $150-$200

Eligibility

Faculty

Staff

Students

Eligibility Notes

Official student groups with a valid payment worktag

Small non-personalized wood products

Diploma certificate plaque

Show your Husky pride by having your diploma mounted on wood that has stood the test of time.

Cutting board

Do you like to cook, or know someone who does? This sturdy piece will help keep the kitchen conversation flowing, and includes the tree number associated with its previous campus location.

Request a small non-personalized wood product

Cost

Diploma certificate plaque: $300
Cutting board: $250-$300

Eligibility

Faculty

Staff

Students

Eligibility Notes

Official student groups with a valid payment worktag

Custom installations and furniture pieces

From conference tables to outdoor structures, wood from campus trees can be found throughout campus — each with a story: a story of a tree that grew on campus and still resides there, in a transformative way.

Standard wood bench

These streamlined modern benches are both beautiful and incredibly useful.

Custom wood bench

Furnish your space with seating that caters specifically to your campus vocation or academic mission while showing off fine craftsmanship and millwork.

Conference table

A table of this caliber is a statement piece, distinguishing the room it occupies as much as it does the guests who assemble around it.

Standing desk table top

Turn your ordinary desk into something extraordinary. Our skilled carpenters will customize a desktop to your tastes.

Podiums

Custom podiums, lecture stands or tables to meet your needs.

Request a custom installation or furniture piece

Cost

Standard wood bench: $150 per linear foot
Custom wood bench: $800 per linear foot
Conference table: $750-$1,000 per linear foot
Standing desk table top: $750 for 30” x 72” size
Podiums: Varies based on size and design

Eligibility

Faculty

Staff