Frequently Asked Questions

What is a live edge slab / table?

A live edge slab is one that is cut lengthwise along the tree (not crosswise as usual) and is not altered in any way other than the stripping of the bark. Therefore the edge of the slab is as it was living or “live edge”.

What kind of products do you make?

My favorite item to make is a dining room table. I believe that a table where families can sit down and enjoy a meal together is a wonderful thing. It is a place where unbreakable bonds can be made, issues discussed and resolved, not to mention partaking of great food. I take pride in being a part of that. In addition I make mantles, coffee tables, desks, beds, benches, and just about anything else to which my imagination leads me.

Where do you get your slabs and how are they harvested?

To date, every piece of material, or slab, has been harvested from deceased, storm damaged, lightning strikes, or some other type of natural occurance.  I have found that the availability of this material has been plentiful and see no need to cut down anything that is living.

How do you price your work?

Many facets determine the pricing of the product, such as availability, complexity of the piece, species of wood, time invested, etc.

Can these slabs be used as soon as they are harvested?

No.  Any wood product needs to be allowed to release the interior moisture content. We stack, sticker, and cover all of our materials. They dry at about the rate of one inch per year. In other words, a slab cut at two inches thick will need to be air dried for two full years and then an additional 60-90 days indoors in a controlled environment before any milling can begin.

What do you do to control infestation during the drying process?

When the materials are stacked to dry they are sprayed with a sodium chloride based insecticide which has a toxicity level that is slightly higher than that of table salt.

What species of wood do you have available?

As I have only harvested from fallen trees my inventory of materials varies all of the time. Previously I have used Maple, White Oak, Red Oak, Elm, Hemlock, and English Walnut. If you have a special request for a certain species, please contact me, as we can possibly find what you need.

Did You Know?

You can determine the approximate age of a tree without having to cut it down and count the growth rings.  Measure the circumference of the tree at 54” off the ground.  Determine the diameter by dividing the circumference by 3.14 (pi) and then multiply by the growth rate.  The growth rate is different for many trees but most of the Appalachian hardwoods will have a growth factor of 4.5 to 5.

For example:  I have a White Oak that I have been working on.  The diameter of the tree at 54” high is 38”.  Multiply by the growth rate of the White Oak which is 5.  The approximate age of that tree is 190 years old.

To give this age a little perspective, this tree sprouted in the year 1825.  James Monroe was President of the United States, Kansas became a state, and the Civil War would not start for nearly 40 years