Our mission is to provide high quality wood products to people that appreciate the character and diversity of one of God's finest natural products.
We believe the hardwoods of Wisconsin are among the most beautiful woods in the world and accent each other nicely when combined. Most of our wood originates in the urban and rural landscapes of southern Wisconsin. Our logs come from city lots as well as fence lines and woodlots too small to garner the interest of most commercial timber harvesters. Cutting our own wood provides lumber with greater character and allows us to track lumber from a single tree. In many cases, this allows us to incorporate natural log edges and other unusual pieces into finished furniture products and to better match color and grain patterns within a project.
Unofficially, The Wood Cycle goes back through several generations of Dutch immigrant craftsman. Paul Morrison, the official founder of The Wood Cycle obtained his passion for woodworking as a young boy following both his grandfathers. One grandfather was a watch maker and jeweler before becoming a cabinetmaker. He in turn followed his uncle "Tinker Bill", who was described as "The Master Craftsman" in the book Craftsmen of Wisconsin.
Officially, The Wood Cycle of Wisconsin, LLC, was formed in 2001 when Paul decided to trade in his office profession for his life passion. At this same time, The Wood Cycle began its move from a basement hobby to its current location: an abandoned farm. The restored goat barn (shop), turkey shed (saw barn) and farmhouse (office/finishing) all serve the business, while preserving the rural Dane County, Wisconsin landscape. The Wood Cycle later became incorporated in 2008.
The Wood Cycle name has several sources. Primary among these is involvement in all aspects of wood production:
- Tree planting and wood lot management
- Log harvesting, milling and drying
- Design and production of cabinets and furniture
When possible, we desire to begin from a tree that recently died or must be removed and work through to a finished cabinet or furniture product. And the ideal customer for the finished product is the owner of the property from which the tree came.
Secondary sources for the company name include a personal interest in bicycling and the desire to construct a functional bicycle using nothing but wood; an incomplete plan originated by the founder's grandfather.
Paul Morrison
Paul founded The Wood Cycle in 2001 after discovering his hobby was just as rewarding whether the end product would be enjoyed by himself or by others. Paul was inspired by several artists and craftsmen in the family and especially by his grandfather, a cabinet maker. After first exhibiting work in his teens, Paul was trained in engineering and spent 20 years addressing environmental policy before deciding to pursue his passion as his profession.
Jonathan
Jonathan, the owner's nephew, started with the business in August, 2004, immediately upon graduating from Fox Valley Technical College in Wood Manufacturing Technology. While in school, he submitted a project to a nation wide AWFS student design contest, in which he received an honorable mention. Jonathan says, "It's nice being able to take something through the whole process, from tree to the final project." He enjoys the variety of projects, woods, and designs The Wood Cycle brings.
Joshua
Joshua came to The Wood Cycle in 2006. His growing passion for wood changed his career path, and in 2008 he graduated from the Madison Area Technical College Cabinetry and Millwork Program. Josh loves the 'character' of The Wood Cycle, due to the nature of taking a tree all the way through the process. His favorite part of working with wood is that your talent and skill show in the final product. In 2008, Josh received 1st place in the Wisconsin area's Skills USA Cabinet-making competition.
