A new beginning for this massive sassafras tree

Written By Robin Wade

massive sassafrasA new beginning for this massive sassafras tree

Typically we don't take the time to move our Lucas sawmill to slab a log onsite.  But we were happy to make an exception for our arborist friend Joe McPhail, who recently lost his massive sassafrass tree in his back yard. Monday we broke down our Lucas sawmill, loaded it up on our trailer, and move the sawmill operation across the Tennessee River and into Joe's back yard.

Some of the limbs are huge, but the base of this beautiful sassafras measured a massive 70".  We just took a couple of quick cuts to make sure all is in order before calling it  day.  Since I was in the air most of the day Tuesday, I don't know what kind of progress they've made so far. But can't wait to see this beauty in slabs. 

Really hate that Joe lost this beauty.  Also really love that we are able to begin the process of a beautiful second life for her. 

Oh, don't let me forget to share the amazing aroma that permeated the neighborhood as we made the two cuts.  (I've gotta find some sassafras perfume for Linda!!).

A new beginning for this massive sassafras tree

Robin Wade
Robin Wade Furniture is a celebration of nature—a melding of a forward thinking commitment to the environment and a quiet, harmonious design aesthetic. From his "slow studio" in North Alabama, award-winning wood artist Robin Wade designs and crafts one-of-a-kind handmade furniture. Years before a piece is ready to enter a client's home or a gallery, the process begins—naturally—with the tree. Sustainably harvested, each specimen of hardwood is flitch sawn into natural-edge wood slabs, debarked by hand with a draw knife, and stacked to dry, usually for years, before the final cure in the kiln. From here, Wade and his team use both hand and power tools to bring Wade's vision to life, and then finish each piece with a hand-rubbed oil blend. Each organic furniture creation by Robin Wade Furniture balances the raw, natural beauty of environmentally, locally sourced hardwoods with minimally invasive, clean lines—a juxtaposition Wade calls both rustic and modern. “I haven’t yet found a better artist than nature,” he says.
robinwadefurniture.com
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