The Story Behind Twister Hill Hardwoods

Where Fallen Trees Find New Life

Twister Hill Hardwoods has a unique origin story. In the wake of the devastating 2020 derecho that swept through central Iowa, our partner Gary Zunkel, a seasoned woodworker, faced the loss of several long-lived and majestic oak trees on his property.

Determined to honor these magnificent trees, Gary refused to let them become mere firewood. Instead, he had them milled and began the process of air drying the lumber. This personal experience sparked a passion for sustainable wood utilization and led him to partner with Mike Diggs, a fellow enthusiast with a shared interest in reclaiming and preserving Iowa's natural resources.

From these humble beginnings, Twister Hill Hardwoods has blossomed into a thriving business. We've invested in a refurbished circular sawmill, a state-of-the-art 5000-board-foot capacity kiln, and advanced equipment to cut, smooth, and flatten large slabs and lumber, all while staying true to our commitment to sustainable forestry practices.

Contact Twister Hill Hardwoods Today

Hardwood logs ready for milling and kiln drying at Twister Hill Hardwoods.

Twister Hill Hardwoods’ custom-designed and custom-built sawmill “Dorothy” in action.

How Our Iowa Sawmill Got Its Name

Our unique name, "Twister Hill Hardwoods," pays homage to the region's cinematic history. Several iconic scenes from the 1996 blockbuster film "Twister," starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, were filmed just a short distance from our sawmill.

One of the most memorable scenes, where the storm chasers attempt to launch their instrument package "Dorothy" during a hailstorm, was captured on a nearby hill and bridge where County Road E-18 crosses the Des Moines River. This picturesque location has since become unofficially known as "Twister Hill," inspiring the name of our business.

Twister Hill Hardwoods co-founder Gary posing with a sustainably sourced oak tree.

Our Unique Equipment & Capabilities

At Twister Hill Hardwoods, we believe in the power of innovation and craftsmanship. The unique milling equipment we use in our operation is a testament to this philosophy:

● "Dusty," Our Restored Legacy: One of our main sawmills, affectionately named "Dusty," is a vintage circular blade mill dating back to the early 1900s. Abandoned for years in nearby timber, we rescued "Dusty" and meticulously refurbished it to serve our modern milling needs.

● "Toto," The Slab Flattener: Our custom-built slab flattening mill, "Toto," is engineered to handle even the largest slabs. "Toto" can level slabs up to 60 inches wide and 20 feet long, ensuring both sides are perfectly flat and uniformly thick – ready for your finishing touches.

● "Dorothy," The Mighty Bandsaw: Our impressive bandsaw, aptly named "Dorothy," boasts a cutting capacity of up to 60 inches in diameter and 20 feet in length, allowing us to handle even the most challenging projects.

This unique combination of reclaimed and custom-built equipment allows us to provide exceptional milling services and produce unique, high-quality lumber and live-edge slabs.

Find the Right Hardwood for Your Next Project

If you're building a custom table, sourcing hardwood slabs, or planning your next woodworking project, Twister Hill Hardwoods is here to help you get it right from the start. We offer a large selection of high-quality, kiln-dried hardwoods, making it easy to find the right material for your project.

Our inventory is always changing as new logs are milled and added, so there’s always something unique to discover. With lower overhead, we’re able to offer competitive pricing while still delivering the quality and service you expect from a local sawmill.