The U.S. Forestry Service recently put out a free guide to using the millions of urban trees left dead or dying as emerald ash borers, gypsy moths, Asian longhorned beetles and thousand canker disease spread.
The 96-page PDF titled Wood Utilization Options for Urban Trees Infested by Invasive Species details the properties of affected wood, instructions for heat treatment, and potential uses. Recommended uses range from pallets and biomass to furniture and flooring.
The guide advises on using black, white, and green ash for solid or engineered hardwood flooring, reminding manufacturers that urban trees often have nails or other bits of metal in them. Those who work with reclaimed or urban trees recommend scanning logs with a metal detector before risking a saw blade.
Various manufacturers already utilize insect-killed trees for flooring; one example can be found here.
