JJohn's Urban Timber
John Haling sawmilling a massive 60 inch log into live-edge hardwood slabs at John's Urban Timber

Whitmore Lake, Michigan · Serving Michigan Since 1998

Wood with a story. Crafted for yours.

John Haling saws, vacuum kiln dries, and prepares locally reclaimed hardwood — live-edge slabs, boards, and custom timber up to 60" diameter. Sawmilling, vacuum kiln drying, wide-slab planing, and sanding — all performed in-house in Whitmore Lake, Michigan.

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The Philosophy

Some logs shouldn't become firewood.

When storm winds knock down an ancient sugar maple, or a municipal project clears a massive black walnut, commodity sawmills pass on them. The logs are too large, too curved, or too full of wild character for high-speed automated equipment.

For over twenty-five years in Whitmore Lake, John Haling has stepped in to save these trees from brush piles and firewood heaps. In our shop, every log is evaluated for its natural grain, live edge, figure, and history — turning forgotten Michigan timber into heirloom wood for craftsmen, builders, and homeowners.

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John Haling standing among massive reclaimed hardwood logs in his Whitmore Lake shop yard

The Journey

From standing tree to finished piece

Every step of the transformation happens right here under our roof in Whitmore Lake. Here is how raw timber becomes a lasting piece.

Step 01

Reclaimed Tree

Saved from landfills & firewood piles

Yard trees, street clearings, and storm-felled timber that would otherwise be chipped or burned are brought to our yard.

Reclaimed hardwood logs stacked in John's yard
Step 02

In-House Sawmilling

Custom sawn up to 60" log diameter

John cuts each log on our band sawmills to maximize grain pattern, live edge width, stability, and character.

John sawmilling a large log on the band mill
Step 03

Vacuum Kiln & Surfacing

Dried to 6%–8% & surfaced up to 51" wide

Our high-tech vacuum kiln extracts moisture gently at low heat, followed by wide-belt planing and sanding so the wood stays flat and stable.

Vacuum kiln drying equipment at John's Urban Timber
Step 04

Finished Heirloom

Built to endure for generations

Whether sold as raw live-edge slabs for your own build or crafted by John into custom tables, bar tops, and mantels.

John standing behind a finished live-edge walnut bar counter

Capabilities

What we do in our shop

Sawmilling, vacuum kiln drying, and surface preparation — all done in-house so your wood is ready to work.

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In-house custom sawmilling up to 60 inch diameter logs
Featured Capability

In-House Sawmilling (Up to 60" Diameter)

Our heavy-duty sawmills cut logs up to 5 feet in diameter into bookmatched slabs, mantle beams, dimensional lumber, and custom quartersawn boards right here in Whitmore Lake.

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6%–8% Moisture Target

Vacuum Kiln Drying

Low-temperature vacuum drying extracts moisture down to 6%–8% while preserving rich natural color and stability.

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Up to 51" Wide

Wide-Slab Planing & Sanding

Helical planing up to 20", abrasive planing up to 51", and wide-belt sanding up to 42" for dead-flat slabs.

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Michigan Hardwoods

Live Edge Slabs & Custom Woodwork

Walnut, sugar maple, oak, cherry, and elm slabs on the racks, plus tabletop panel jointing and epoxy fill.

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John Haling standing behind a custom live-edge bar counter in his Whitmore Lake shop

Meet John Haling

The guy behind the saw.

"I started John's Urban Timber in 1998 because I loved seeing what was hidden inside logs that other people threw away. Over twenty-five years later, every single log that enters our Whitmore Lake yard still gets my direct personal attention."

"When you call or visit our shop, you're not talking to a salesperson or an order taker. You're talking directly to the sawyer who will cut, dry, and surface your wood."

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Video Experience

See it happen

Watch real sawmilling, vacuum kiln drying, and slab preparation in our Whitmore Lake shop.

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Meet John

Featured Video

Meet John

Portfolio

From raw wood to finished result

A glimpse of what reclaimed Michigan hardwood becomes when crafted with care.

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Custom Live-Edge Black Walnut Desk crafted by John's Urban Timber
Featured Project

Custom Live-Edge Black Walnut Executive Desk

Species: Michigan Black Walnut · Satin Finish

Sawn from a single urban walnut log, kiln dried down to 7% moisture, surfaced flat up to 51", and finished to highlight the rich natural heartwood figure and live edge contour.

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In the shop now

Slabs & lumber

Live-edge slabs and rough lumber stacked, stickered, and kiln dried in Whitmore Lake. Availability changes constantly.

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The Difference

Why work with John

Here is why woodworkers, builders, and homeowners trust John's Urban Timber for their most important projects.

Est. 1998 in Michigan

Over 25 years of hands-on sawmilling and wood preparation experience in Whitmore Lake.

100% In-House Processing

Sawing, vacuum kiln drying, wide planing, and sanding all performed in our shop — never outsourced.

60" Sawing Capacity

Heavy-duty machinery built to handle massive, oversized logs that commodity commercial mills turn away.

100% Reclaimed Timber

Yard trees, municipal removals, and storm-felled logs saved from brush piles and firewood heaps.

Low-Temp Vacuum Kiln

Drying down to 6%–8% moisture content while preserving natural wood color, clarity, and structural integrity.

Direct Sawyer Access

Work directly with John Haling from initial log inspection through final slab selection.

Craftsman Insights

Knowledge from the shop

Guides and advice on selecting slabs, kiln drying, and preparing timber.

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Buyer Guide

Before you bring a log

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Got a log too good to become firewood?

Tell John what you've got — a fallen yard tree, a log, or a custom project idea. He'll help you figure out what it could become.

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