Slabs are made when a large tree trunk is cut into slices from one end, all the way to the other end down the entire length of the trunk.
Each “slice” or slab is usually between two and four inches thick and is left with its natural contour and bark along each edge. Usually, the bark is removed carefully with a chisel, but the natural curves of the tree are kept. This is called having a “live-edge”.
Most slabs are one single piece of wood and are a perfect cross-section of the inside of the tree. That means all of the beautiful details of the wood’s grain can be seen.
The grain tells the story of the tree’s life. Every twist and turn that occurred as the tree grew can be seen in the grain patterns of each slab.
Sometimes, humans can leave their mark in a tree’s story. Nails from decades, even centuries, ago are often found embedded in slabs. It’s fascinating to realize that this is the first time the nails have been seen by human eyes since they were hammered into the tree long ago.
Other features often seen in slabs include in-grown bark, “spalting”, which is dark, striped areas left by fungi, and worm patterns. Although it sounds a bit odd, spalting and worms create beautiful patterns in lighter woods such as maple.
