While millions of Michigan ash trees are dying or being felled due to a foreign infestation, there's a silver lining beneath the bark here in Traverse City.

Local woodworking company TC Kitchen and Flooring is working with homeowners to reinvest the still-valuable lumber from the dead trees back into their property.

“We take a look at what the project needs and what [the owner’s] needs are and we try to work something out so it’s best for everybody,” says owner Rayan Conklin. Conklin says his company has turned homeowners’ ash trees into everything from tables and benches to shelving and mantels.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), responsible for the infestation, began to plague Michigan forests in 2002. Despite efforts to mitigate its movement, the EAB has already spread beyond control and will eventually kill most ash trees in the state and beyond, says David Lemmien of the Department of Natural Resources.

"We’re on the downhill slide of this situation.” says Lemmien. 

He says the U.S. infestation originated from untreated wood shipping pallets coming through Detroit from foreign lands. For Conklin, much of the ash-centric woodwork started when he was approached by Mac McClelland and his wife Colleen, who had more than two dozen infected ash trees near their house.

“It’s great wood and it’s a shame to burn it up in a fire,” McClelland. “It’s a great opportunity to take of the trees that are dying and get a great finished project.”

Together the three decided the wood could be used to reside their home.

The McClellands’ story is now a familiar story, and Conklin says word of mouth generates plenty of business. Colleen also started a Facebook page to generate awareness.

Coklin also says his company delivers more than just craftsmanship -- it provides a safety service. He indicates insurance companies often will not pay for damage caused when infected ash trees fall and cause property damage.

“There’s been times, I believe, where if we hadn’t been out there that year the tree would have hit their house… and they would have had hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage,” says Conklin. “Now they’re going to cover their house with a great ash hard wood siding, that’s better than anything you can buy in a store.”

Locals might want to capitalize on the remaining ash as it becomes available -- and while it still exists.

“It’s getting very hard to find good quality ash,” says The Village At Grand Traverse Commons Developer Ray Minervini. Ash was used extensively in the trim, railings and other aspects of the original hospital, he says.

Recently however, more than 75 trees have had to be cut down on the 63 acre property. The problem is “gargantuan,” Minervini says, lamenting the loss of the trees, some of which are more than 500 years old.

With the damage done, all that’s left is to pick up the pieces and craft them into woodwork that will endure.

"These are going to be heirlooms that will be in remembrance of this tragedy," says Conklin.