The current “Green” movement is one force driving up the demand for reclaimed wood panels.  Deforestation because of population growth is another.  Insects and disease had also changed the look of forests throughout the world.  Prime examples of this in this country is both the Dutch Elm Disease that ravaged the Elm forests at the turn of the last century, and the Pine Bark Beetle that is ravaging the Pine forests on the East coast today.

By reclaiming the wood that was used to build barns, factories, warehouses, homes, grain mills and other structures that were build in the early 19 century, we are now bringing products to the market that you cannot reproduce today.  The wood that was used back then came from virgin forests which had trees that were hundreds of years old.  The heart wood from these trees was prized back then for it’s durability, it’s color and it’s character.  Today most forests are on their third, fourth or even fifth generation of harvest.   The trees are smaller, have less heartwood and more defects than the trees that were cut at the turn of the last century.

Reclamation of old wood can be used to make flooring, cabinets and furniture, paneling, beams, siding, almost anything imaginable like coffinsor jewelry boxes.  I have seen programs on TV that show harvesting old logs off the bottom of river beds.  Some of these trees have been submerged in the mud for decades.  Yet the wood and the products they are making from it are beautiful.

The species of wood found in these old structures ranges from Heart Pine to Hickory including Red and White Oak, Maple, Cherry, Cypress, Elm, Douglas Fir, and Redwood.

I’m not a “Greenie” but I do feel that it is very practical to use these reclaimed wood panels to make new products rather than just have them fill up our construction landfills.  Also the heart wood of these old trees may never be seen again, so let’s not waste them.

Please e-mail all inquiries for wood turning squares to  Bob@HarrellWP.com

for a prompt quotation.  We can also handle shipping
requirements.

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