Tad Derrickson moves from helping people to repurposing trees

Photo: Tad Derrickson operates a mobile saw mill to give new purpose to old trees. Photo by NewsChannel 5.

Tad Derrickson is a wonderful example of someone who decided later in life to pursue what had been on his heart for a long time.

The Nashville resident worked as a registered nurse for more than 20 years. That can be grinding and exhausting work, so Tad needed a hobby to clear his mind.

He had a rather unique schedule where he worked seven days in a row, followed by a full week off.

It gave him time to pursue something he wanted to do from childhood when he watched his own grandfather operating a saw mill.

Tad does it with a twist by using a mobile mill to give new purpose to trees destined for local landfills.

“We have helped people literally take old trees and make them into tables for every member of the family,” he told NewsChannel 5.

A few years ago, Tad started his own business, called TNTree. He helps to harvest wood for landowners or woodworkers to use in special projects.

“We believe trees are a gift, both when alive and afterward,” he explained. “We do that by re-purposing as much of the tree as possible when it is time to trim or remove the tree. This is done by using the trunk and other pieces to make lumber.”

Lumber that can’t be turned into special projects can be used as firewood to make special memories around a campfire for fireplace.

NewsChannel 5 did a special segment on Tad and his business, which you can watch below: