Restoring the Carolina Mountains, One Acre at a  Time.



















Sustainable Debris Recycling & Premium Biochar Production. > We turn storm-damaged timber and forest waste into carbon-negative soil gold. From Hurricane Helene recovery to long-term soil health, we are your partners in environmental restoration.



Our Story::

Rooted in North Carolina, Built for the Future


Heritage Tree Recycling was founded by two North Carolina natives with a shared conviction: that the beauty of our mountains should be matched by the strength of our local economy.


From Recovery to Resilience

Our journey began in the wake of Hurricane Helene. As we looked at the millions of tons of fallen timber across Western North Carolina, we saw more than just debris—we saw a threat of wildfire and a burden on our community. But we also saw an opportunity. We realized that by applying advanced carbonization technology, we could turn a regional disaster into a permanent resource for our soil.


Rebuilding the WNC Economic Engine

We aren't just here for the cleanup; we are here for the long haul. With the closure of the Canton Paper Mill and the shifting landscape of local industry, Western North Carolina needs new, sustainable economic pillars. Heritage Tree is proud to be part of that new chapter.

• Replacing Economic Loss: We are building a "Green-Sector" infrastructure that provides skilled jobs for our local workforce, keeping mountain families working right here in the High Country.

• The Circular Economy: By transforming "waste" into "Soil Gold," we keep every dollar of value within our community. We serve the loggers who harvest, the developers who build, and the farmers who feed us.


Our Mission

To protect the heritage of North Carolina’s forests while fueling its future. We are dedicated to providing the most reliable, low-emission wood recycling services in the state, ensuring that our land remains productive, our air stays clean, and our economy grows stronger with every acre we restore.

"We don't just clear the path; we enrich the ground we walk on."

The Heritage Tree Recycling Advantage

Eco-Friendly Recycling

Unlike traditional methods, we don't pile and burn. Our process eliminates smoke and reduces waste volume by 95% with minimal pollution.


Carbon Sequestration

Every ton of biochar we produce locks away carbon for hundreds of years, making your land a "carbon sink."



Cost Efficient

We offer a faster, cleaner alternative to hauling debris to landfills, saving you time and transportation costs.


Our Biochar: 

Scientifically Proven Performance

Metric Result Benefit
Fixed Carbon 86.6% High purity for permanent carbon storage and soil stability.
Surface Area 333m2/g Massive "honeycomb" structure to house beneficial microbes and water.
pH level 9.24 Naturally raises the pH of acidic mountain soils.
Particle Size 59.1% (8-16mm) Ideal sizing for soil aeration and long-term structure.
Stability 0.33 Highly stable carbon that stays in your soil for centuries.

November 25 test of Neal’s Creek biochar sample by Control Laboratories

Safety & Environmental Standards


• Toxin-Free: Heavy metals such as Arsenic, Mercury, and Selenium were Not Detected (ND) in analysis. 

• Low Ash Content: At only 6.3% ash, our product is concentrated carbon rather than just burnt wood waste. 

• Nutrient Rich: Contains essential Calcium (6,779 mg/kg) and Potassium (3,262 mg/kg) to boost plant health. 


Who Benefits:

Foresters & Loggers

Restore Forest Health, Combat Pathogen Decline and Reduce Costs


Modern forestry requires more than just harvesting; it requires proactive land stewardship. Heritage Tree Recycling partners with foresters to manage debris while building a literal line of defense against forest decline.

• Phytophthora & Root Rot Mitigation: Biochar isn't just a fertilizer; it’s a soil architect. By improving soil structure and increasing aerobic activity, our biochar helps suppress the conditions where Phytophthora and other water-mold pathogens thrive.

• Rapid Debris Liquidation: A cleaner, faster alternative to open-pile burning that eliminates the risk of escaped fires and reduces air quality liability.

• Carbon-Negative Logistics: Transform your 'waste' into a permanent carbon sink, helping your operation meet new 'Zero-Waste' timber certifications.

• Reduce costs: Biochar production reduces volume 14 times, dramatically reductions trucking costs and steps in the process.

• Viable pulp product : Biochar is a critical part of fast growing industries: regenerative farming, remediation, construction, water/soil restoration and consumer products.



Developers & Contractors

Sustainable Land Clearing That Raises Your Bottom Line.


Site prep shouldn't just be about moving dirt; it should be about adding value. Partner with us to recycle onsite timber into high-performance soil amendments for your future landscapes.

• Zero-Waste Sites: Avoid expensive landfill tipping fees and hauling costs.

• LEED & ESG Credits: Earn sustainability certifications by sequestering carbon directly from your project site.

• Storm Recovery Excellence: Specialized in clearing massive volumes of storm-damaged timber following events like Hurricane Helene.



Farmers & Growers

Regenerative Soil Solutions for the Modern Farm.


Stop losing your topsoil and nutrients to runoff. Heritage Tree Biochar provides a permanent structural improvement to your land, mimicking the fertility of the world’s richest 'Terra Preta' soils.

• Fertilizer Savings: Biochar locks in nitrogen and phosphorus, reducing the need for expensive chemical inputs.

• Improved Yields: Better soil aeration and microbial activity lead to deeper roots and hardier crops.

• Local Resilience: Sourced from the Carolina mountains, our biochar helps restore lands degraded by erosion and heavy farming.


The Science of Pathogen Defense:

How Biochar Fights Phytophthora


Foresters across the Southeast are seeing an increase in Phytophthora (Root Rot) due to poor drainage and soil compaction. Heritage Tree Biochar helps defend your forest through three mechanisms:

1. Drainage Enhancement: Biochar creates macropores in heavy clay soils, eliminating the standing water and anaerobic conditions that Phytophthora zoospores need to swim and infect roots.

2. Microbial Antagonism: High-quality biochar provides a 'high-rise apartment' for beneficial fungi and bacteria (like Trichoderma) that naturally compete with and prey upon harmful pathogens.

3. Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR): Studies show that biochar applications can trigger a plant's own immune system, making trees more resilient to infection from the ground up.


New Paragraph

Our Community: Building a Resilient Western North Carolina.


At Heritage Tree Recycling, our roots are deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We believe that the timber cleared from our slopes shouldn't be a liability left in a landfill or a smoke-filled burn pile. Instead, we turn local wood waste into a resource that strengthens our soil, protects our water, and fuels our local economy.

1. A Faster Path to Hurricane Recovery

We provide Yancey County and neighboring communities with a high-speed solution to liquidate hazardous debris on-site, reducing wildfire fuel loads while protecting the air quality of our scenic valleys.

2. Protecting Our Natural Heritage

Our mountains are defined by their forests. We aren’t just clearing land; we are creating the biological 'armor' our forests need to stay healthy for the next generation.

3. Local Jobs & Economic Strength

We are committed to the prosperity of the High Country. By localized processing of wood waste, we are creating skilled, green-sector jobs right here in Yancey County. Our 'Circular Economy' model ensures that money spent on land management stays in the community:

• Workforce Development: Training local operators in advanced carbonization and soil science.

• Lowering Agricultural Costs: Providing WNC farmers with 'Soil Gold' reduces their reliance on expensive, imported chemical fertilizers.

• Supporting Local Industry: We partner with local loggers, truckers, and contractors, keeping the entire value chain within the Blue Ridge region.

4. Preserving Our Air and Water

Traditional 'pile and burn' methods release heavy smoke into our mountain air. Our low-emission process protects our clean air. Furthermore, biochar applied to our slopes acts as a natural filter, reducing sediment runoff and protecting the purity of the Cane and Toe Rivers.





Building a Network for Sustainable Growth



At Heritage Tree Recycling, we’re more than a single business—we’re part of a network of small to midsize companies working together to turn tree waste into opportunity. This collaboration creates jobs, strengthens local economies, and supports a cleaner, greener future.


Our ecosystem includes:

• Foresters and Loggers – harvesting and managing timber responsibly

• Grinders and Truckers – processing and transporting materials efficiently

• Composters, Bagging & Processing Teams – preparing products for farms and landscapes

• Biochar Producers and Sales Experts – creating and distributing high-value soil amendments

• Logistics and Administration – keeping everything running smoothly

✅ Downstream Impact

This network doesn’t stop at production. It fuels downstream businesses, from agriculture and landscaping to environmental restoration projects.

✅ Economic Benefits

Together, these partnerships generate significant direct and indirect employment, driving economic activity across Western Carolina. Eventually building a home to other biochar-related industries, creating a hub for innovation and sustainability in the Carolina Mountains.



Let's talk!

Business Hours

Mon - Fri
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Sat - Sun
Closed
95 Cane River Church Road, Burnsville, North Carolina 28714, United States

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