Wood Species

The Classics

These wood species are available in any design and come from FSC-certified sustainable tree farms in their native habitats across the USA.

Jump to Slab Species

American Cherry prunus serotina

A true classic with renowned patina and incredible warmth. Cherry is uniform in color, and relative availability lets us select for fine and swirling grain pattern. The hue deepens significantly over time - well aged cherry goes with anything. Janka 950.

Black Walnut juglans nigra

The darkest hardwood native to North America, Walnut is rich and deep. The wood is generally uniform in color with pale sapwood, a natural luster and both straight and curvaceous grain patterns. Harder than Cherry, the color brightens with exposure to light and air. Janka 1010.

Ambrosia Maple acer saccharum

Table Mission Ambrosia Maple Chair Canyo

With gray, black and even green tones in a sea of blond, Ambrosia Maple is a captivating combination of pattern and color - the result of early decomposition by the Ambrosia beetle. Kiln-drying stops the process in its tracks and produces very hard lumber with fascinating character. Ideal in minimalist styles. Janka 750-900.

White Oak quercus alba

Prized for its strength, White Oak is the historic choice for long-lasting furniture. Neutral color and pronounced grain are ideal for modern spaces and high traffic areas. Pairs beautifully with white and Walnut. Janka 1350.

Shagbark Hickory carya ovata

Table Hickory Prairie Detail Top Zoom.jpeg

The hardest species in North America (Hickory is a premier choice for flooring and cabinetry) with two tones of high contrast grain. It's got character without looking "woodsy", and behaves perfectly as a work surface and in kid-friendly spaces. A great choice for minimalist designs with a focus on the material. Janka 1880.

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LiveEdge Slabs

These species are exclusively available in raw slab form and are either dead, diseased or damaged, then rescued to keep their captured carbon intact.

Claro Walnut juglans hindsii

Table Coffee Custom LiveEdge Claro Walnu

Found primarily in northern California, the Claro Walnut is a more colorful cousin to Black Walnut. It's very stable, and brings swirling espresso and coffee tones to the conversation. It's most popular in wide slab and burl form and can be expensive. Janka 1130.

English Elm ulmus procera

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Beloved for its similarity to antique Walnut, the English Elm is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease. The beautiful wood inside is salvageable if milled and dried in a timely fashion, and lives on in natural slab form for dining and coffee tables. Janka 810.

American Elm ulmus americana

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Like other ulmus species, American Elm is often taken by Dutch elm disease. It grows quickly, however, and was first planted on the urban Front Range long ago. Its heartwood is light grayish brown with a reddish tinge and the sapwood can be well-defined. Janka 830.

Siberian Elm ulmus pumila

Siberian Elm is hardy and resistant to Dutch elm disease, but less commonly available in large slab form. The wood can be grayish brown, with zigzag band patterns called ulmiform in its high-contrast grain. Janka 880.

Big Leaf Maple acer macrophyllum

Table Coffee Flatiron Custom LiveEdge Big Leaf Maple Burl Crosscut Birdseye_edited.jpg

Native to the Northwest, the leaves of Big Leaf Maple can be the size of a dinner plate. It can come with very intense grain pattern and iridescent color, and we usually use it in burl form. The wild figure and curly grain are perfect for centerpieces and showstopping LiveEdge projects. Janka 850+.

care + maintenance

Solid wood is intrinsically easy to love. Caring for the real thing is so much simpler than you might think. For day-to-day cleaning, wipe surfaces with a clean, well-wrung out cotton rag or paper towel. Periodically, oil your furniture with Parker & Bailey Natural Lemon Oil Polish. Never use Pledge, Method or other "wood cleaners" - they're designed to eat oil, which is the painstaking finish on BFA work. If your furniture gets scratched or stained, it can usually be resolved with #0000 synthetic steel wool and lemon oil. Rub in the direction of the grain, adding pressure as necessary, then add oil to raise the grain back up. The finish penetrates 1/4" deep, so anything less than that is subject to at-home care (no stripping or calling a refinisher). If your furniture gets damaged, it may need some extra love. Contact us for repairs.

Care Sheet