When a city tree comes down, most of it disappears into a chipper—mulched, discarded, and forgotten. But at Deadwood Revival Design in Paso Robles, that fate becomes a new beginning.
For nearly a decade, the artisanal woodworking company has been transforming fallen urban trees into heirloom-quality furniture. Founded by former wildland firefighters Daniel Torres and Mitch McCormick, Deadwood Revival has grown from a garage in San Luis Obispo into a 10,000-square-foot facility dedicated to sustainable craftsmanship and community partnership.
“We rescue city trees or urban trees, and we make custom furniture, heirloom pieces with a story … with local history preserved,” Torres said.
Their passion for sustainable, functional design has transformed local trees into anything from milling logs to custom craft dining tables, benches, counters, shelving, and one-of-a-kind pieces that retain the life and character of the original tree.
The company was born from Torres’ and McCormick’s early years fighting wildland fires, where they saw countless standing dead trees across the West. The same waste existed in cities, they realized, with trees that were removed for safety or age simply discarded. In 2016, they launched Deadwood Revival Design with the mission of rescuing these overlooked resources.
“It’s always been just the art of salvage and producing things from local trees that were not taken out for their monetary value … they are getting put to their best use,” Torres said.
Today, Deadwood Revival partners with local nonprofits, municipalities, and schools to keep urban lumber in use. A major collaboration with EcoSLO and Cal Fire resulted in more than 600 rescued logs and materials donated to Cal Poly’s College of Architecture, allowing students to work with local wood rather than commercial imports.
“They’re the material influencers of the future,” Torres said. “We’re hoping that more and more, the [students] understand the value of city trees after their lifecycle ends.”
But their commitment to community impact extends beyond campus partnerships.
This summer, Deadwood Revival was contacted by the city of Atascadero about a historic century-old deodar cedar in the Sunken Gardens that needed to be removed. Rather than see it mulched, the city reached out to ask if the team could rescue the tree and preserve its legacy.
“We said, ‘Absolutely, it’d be an honor,’” Torres said.
After the tree was removed in July, Deadwood Revival transported the massive logs to its mill site to begin turning the cedar into future pieces for the community. These slabs will now be processed well into 2026. Once cured, the cedar will become a collection of commemorative items and custom furniture that carry the history of the Sunken Gardens into homes and public spaces throughout Atascadero.
“We want this tree to stay in the public domain,” Torres said. “It has to be in a place where it will be cared for and appreciated.”
Though their work is designed for private homes, businesses, and public spaces, Torres says the heart of Deadwood Revival Design remains the same: honoring the trees that shaped the region.
“It takes a tremendous amount of work and resources and labor and machinery and equipment to process a tree,” Torres said. “It is a long process … we’re greatly invested, labor-wise and emotionally.”
To learn more about Deadwood Revival Design, visit deadwoodrevivaldesign.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram @deadwoodrevivaldesign.
Fast facts
• San Luis Obispo County Deputy Probation Officer III Juanita Murray was recently honored at the statewide 2025 Chief Probation Officers of California Awards ceremony as both the Central Region Employee of the Year and the statewide Probation Employee of the Year. Murray was recognized for her deep commitment to helping justice-involved youth succeed. While working with the Coastal Valley Academy program, she supported a young man interested in aviation by connecting him with leaders at ACI Jet and guiding him through the application process, ultimately helping him secure a job. Her mentorship continues as he approaches graduation and prepares to enroll in Cuesta College’s Aviation Mechanics Program.
• The city of Grover Beach has opened artist and vendor applications for the 2026 Summer Concert Series, returning for its 24th year at the newly renovated Ramona Garden Park. The series will run June 28 through Aug. 23, 2026, and will feature eight weeks of live music, food vendors, craft booths, and activities for all ages. Musicians interested in performing are invited to apply online and submit audio or video sample links by Jan. 16, with acceptance notifications sent by Feb. 27. Vendors must submit applications by March 27 and provide required city business documentation and health permits. More details are available at groverbeach.org. ∆
Reach Staff Writer Chloë Hodge at chodge@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2025.