ABOUT OUR WOOD
The wood is the soul of City Trees Furniture. Every salvaged tree has a story that shines through the boards that are made from it. We study each piece of wood to showcase its unique beauty.
We salvage logs from the thousands of hardwood trees that are felled every year in and around Seattle. The logs are milled into slabs, and generally kept as wide as possible, up to five feet in width. Slabs are air dried for up to three years, and then kiln dried. We typically use only a clear finish to showcase the natural color and textures of the wood. We strive to show nature’s beauty as simply as possible. We are the artisans; nature is the artist.
Walnut, and especially black walnut, is our most popular reclaimed wood, with its rich and varied colors. Elm, madrona, and maple are also featured hardwoods, each with its unique character. Owner and craftsman Donald Smith interacts with every tree and log, finished piece, and each customer, individually. Nothing is mass produced. Everything is sustainably harvested.
THE CITY TREES STORY
Founded by Donald Smith in 2005, City Trees Furniture has its roots in some of the Seattle area’s early settlers. They planted orchards, and in their yards they placed walnut and elm trees and other exotics, alongside the majestic native big-leaf maples and madronas. Thousands of trees are taken down in the urban area every year, and often chipped or turned into firewood.
Making live-edge and slab furniture from the city’s trees, and uncovering the glorious beauty in the reclaimed wood, makes use of a renewable resource that would otherwise go to waste. It combines Donald’s enthusiasm for salvaged resources, hands-on interaction with nature, wild beauty, and sustainability. With careful craftsmanship, the old trees are reborn, bringing the beauty of a rich and full life, literally, to your table.