Hickman Woods Annual Tour 2025 - 13th Annual Tour

Join us for a field trip to Emlenton and visit the Hickman Family's Forest, Sawmill, and Flooring plant. As seen on This Old House & HGTV's Restored by the Fords, you can experience the tour in person and discover what makes Pennsylvania’s forests so unique, and so vulnerable.

Back in 1999, Hickman Lumber became the first Pennsylvania mill to be FSC certified through Smartwood. During the tour we will spend time in the woods with foresters who will explain sustainable forestry under the FSC guidelines, see the sawmill in operation and learn how 100% of the tree is utilized, then visit the flooring plant to gain insight into the difference between rift and quarter sawing while learning about the different local species and options for flooring.

At the end of the day, we’ll head back to the showroom for dinner & drinks along with an amazing presentation from Jonathan Geyer from the PA Department of Agriculture about why wood is good!

11:00 Meet at Showroom (501 Main Street Emlenton, PA 16373 ) - leaving by 11:30 The tour group will meet at the showroom first and car-pool to the forest, sawmill, and flooring plant before returning to the showroom for food, drinks, and a presentation. (Note - lunch is not provided)

Part 1: 11:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Forest & Sawmill (4965 Emlenton-Clintonville Rd. Emlenton, PA 16373)

We will begin the day with a walk in the woods (41.201406, -79.806585) with our foresters to learn about and see first-hand how proper timber management results in higher-quality forests.

Then we will visit the sawmill in operation (hopefully - rebuilding this year after fire in 2024) to learn how logs are cut, turned into lumber, and kiln-dried. Discover why this is the most critical factor in quality hardwood.

Part 2: 2:30 p.m– 3:30 p.m. Flooring Plant (4478 Route 38 N Emlenton, PA 16373 )

After the sawmill, we will drive to the plant where the flooring is manufactured and distributed across the country. Allegheny Mountain Hardwood floors have been used in various museums and government buildings. Recently the US Supreme Court in Washington DC. AMHF specializes in Rift & Quarter Sawn White Oak, and we will see examples of how the grain on a board varies depending on how it’s cut at the sawmill. This is important for the design and stability of the floor.

Part 3: 4:00 p.m - 5:30 p.m. Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring Showroom (501 Main. St. Emlenton, PA 16373)

Presentation, Drinks, and Food: While visiting the showroom, take a look at the finished product first-hand! Enjoy food and drinks during a presentation by Jonathan Geyer, a Hardwoods Development Specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Jon will educate guests about the state’s hardwood resources, their various end uses, and sustainable attributes, along with threats and sustainability issues faced by our forests.

EXTRA CREDIT: If interested we are always up for a few evening drinks and networking! Last year we had a ton of folks from out of town and went to the brewery & after after party at Ottos. (Local dive bar).

Architects, designers, sustainability consultants, contractors, sustainable material enthusiasts, building owners, and university students.

Understand forest health and resources.

Examine life-cycle analysis data showing that American hardwood is carbon neutral, including a study done by universities in Europe in preparation for the required Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s) showing carbon emissions in the manufacturing process compared to the carbon sequestration of the carbon.

Compare the sustainability qualities of hardwood to other building materials.

Gain an appreciation for local sustainable hardwoods and their positive impact on the environment and the economy.

- please note on your registration if you're interested.

• 3- AIA
• 3 - IDCEC
• 3 - NWFA
• 1 - GBCI

It's not easy being green

Forest to the Floor

How cut affects appearance of wood floors

Emlenton & the surrounding area has a lot of beauty and fun. Please let me know if you'd like to make a weekend out of it and I'd be happy to help with plans.

LODGING:

Foxburg Inn - 10 - minute drive from showroom

Airbnbs - various river homes & cottages nearby

Emlenton Motor Inn - 2 minute drive.

Clarion Hotel Options - 30 minute drive

ACTIVITIES:

Bike Trail! - over 30 miles of flat, paved, biking accessible from Emlenton

Foxburg Country Club - GOLFING - oldest golf course still in operation in the USA

Breweries - Emlenton Brew Haus just opened & many others within 30 miles.

Wineries - Foxburg winery is close among others.

Hiking - North Country Trail, Kennerdell Trails, Cook Forest

Canoe & Kayak Rentals - September is a beautiful time on the river.

Shopping -Local Pottery - Allegheny Pines Pottery

Grove City Premium Outlets. 20 minutes from Emlenton

Video below is from the virtual tour we did in a previous years.

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Emlenton, Sports events in Emlenton, Arts events in Emlenton.