Wood grain is the way the sap ran from the root to the top of the tree. Each time you see a knot on a hardwood surface you will know that a limb once grew from that spot. These are just a couple of things that make each piece of wood unique with distinctive character. It is your assurance that it is the real thing.
When the tree has matured and has been properly prepared it is then ready to be utilized by skilled Amish craftsmen to create furniture made of solid hardwood construction, timeless beauty, and intricate details that will surpass your expectations.
With proper care you can expect these beautiful Amish furniture pieces to become family heirlooms passed on and cherished by future generations.
Oak trees are noted for their great longevity and have been known to live 1,500 years. The word oak has been associated with strength. Oaks are valuable timber, which grows to a height of seventy feet. The oak wood is hard, durable and elastic. With a combination of varying wood grains, it is attractive in finishes from light to dark.
Wild cherry OR black cherry trees produce handsome pink heartwood that has a smooth grain which is highly prized in furniture making. Cherry wood finishes well in light to dark tones and darkens as it ages.
Sugar maple or rock maple trees are well known as a source of maple syrup and timber. They can attain heights of 100 feet and can live 500 years or more. The light colored lumber has modest grain patterns and is best expressed with light color finishes.
White oak trees are known for their broad round heads and massive spreading branches. This is where the phrase mighty oak was coined. Mature white oak trees can be eighty feet tall and just as wide. Special milling procedures produce quarter sawn white oak. Quarter sawn oak has a tighter grain with a flake effect that is beautifully enhanced by applying darker finishes. Quarter Sawing means cutting at a 90-degree angle from the growth rings on a log to produce a vertical and uniform patern grain. The grain on the face of a quartersawn board will have parallel lines that are straight, tight, and run the length of the board. The closer the growth rings are to being 90-degrees from the face of the board, the greater the chance to getting the famous medullary ray flecks. Additional aesthetics include wavy and interlocked grains.
The Black Walnut tree is a stately tree reaching a height of 150 feet. Black walnut wood is beautifully grained and takes a good finish. It is one of the most highly valued of hardwoods for cabinetry and furniture.
Our Amish craftsmen have access to numerous domestic and exotic wood species. Let your imagination be the limit.
Mix cherry with maple or maple with black walnut - beautiful!
