Entrepreneurial spirit present in new generation of woodworking.

In the heart of Vermont, Treeline Terrains is reshaping how we experience the places we love through its 3D wooden maps using locally sourced wood. This unique business combines high-tech mapping tools with the age-old tradition of woodworking to capture the essence of the outdoors.

Inspired by their love for skiing, company founders Nathaniel Klein, Jacob Freedman, and Alex Gemme originally set out to commemorate their time on the slopes at Middlebury Snow Bowl. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, they translated their experience into a detailed wooden carving, bringing to life every trail, slope, and mountain ridge. Now, the team creates carved topographical maps that make handcrafted wood décor meaningful to customers.

Blending Modern Technology and Traditional Woodworking

Jacob, a cartographer, starts by creating a digital 3D model centering on mountains, rivers, and other landmarks. This model is then sent to a CNC router – a high-tech, software-driven machine tool capable of precisely shaping the wood — which carves the terrain into locally sourced wood. But where the technology ends, the human touch begins. Every piece is hand-sanded and oiled, with custom elements like gemstones marking special locations and blue epoxy pours flowing into the rivers and lakes.

Nathaniel, who grew up woodworking with his grandfather, believes wood is the perfect medium for their maps.

“People have asked us why we don’t use metal or other materials? Why wood? Each piece of wood is unique – the variation and the detailing,” he says. “The topography of the land seems to align with the wood grain, so even the gift maps we create that aren’t custom-made are still one-of-a-kind.” Treeline Terrains sources much of its wood from Gagnon Lumber, a family-owned, Forest Stewardship Council-certified mill in Vermont, ensuring sustainable practices are at the core of their product.