Allen Spalted Pecan
Etched with spalting, Allen Pecan carries its story forward.
The Story
When I met Mr. Allen, I discovered more than a neighbor with stacks of lumber — I found a fellow craftsman who, like me, believed that wood was worth saving. Parkinson’s had taken him out of the shop, but his careful inventory remained: boards rescued from curbsides, trades, and even his own yard.
Among them were pecan boards from a tree that once shaded his home. Time and nature had left their mark on the wood — dark spalting lines traced across the grain like ink strokes, evidence of fungi slowly at work. To most, it might have looked like decay. To a craftsman’s eye, it was beauty born of imperfection.
Bringing Allen Spalted Pecan into my shop wasn’t just about saving lumber. It was about carrying forward both the story of a Texas tree and the quiet care of the man who chose to preserve it. What others might have overlooked now has the chance to live on in new hands.
About the Tree
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is native to the southern United States and thrives across Texas landscapes. Known for its generous canopy and rich, buttery nuts, the pecan tree can grow 70–100 feet tall, with broad crowns that make it both a source of shade and a symbol of heritage. In fact, the pecan has been the official state tree of Texas since 1919.
Spalting, though, isn’t part of the tree’s design — it’s the work of fungi after the tree has fallen or been cut. As the wood responds, it develops dramatic dark lines and shifting tones that trace through the grain like natural inkwork. What begins as nature’s slow breakdown becomes a source of unique beauty, giving pecan lumber a character that no mill could reproduce.
The tree shown here is simply an example of the species — not the exact pecan tree from Mr. Allen’s yard that supplied the boards.
About the Wood
Spalted pecan carries all the strength and density of its hickory heritage, but with a twist only time and nature can create. Dark zone lines from fungi weave through the grain, contrasting against warm browns and reddish tones. No two boards are alike — each one marked with patterns as unique as handwriting.
Like all pecan, the wood is hard, resilient, and capable of fine detail when worked with patience. Its toughness makes it reliable for furniture, boards, and turned pieces, while the spalting adds a dramatic character that transforms each cut into something singular.
For me, Allen Spalted Pecan isn’t just hardwood with figure. It’s a Texas tree, marked by nature’s hand, preserved by Mr. Allen, and given the chance to live on in the Salt Shaker shop.
Why It Matters
Every board of Allen Spalted Pecan carries more than the grain of a Texas hardwood — it carries the story of a tree that once shaded Mr. Allen’s own yard. When that tree had to come down, he saved the lumber, stacking it carefully even as Parkinson’s kept him out of the shop. Years later, those boards found their way into mine.
Spalting added its own chapter — dark lines and striking patterns left by time and nature. What some might dismiss as decay became beauty worth preserving. To me, working with this wood means honoring both the life of the tree and the hands that saved it.
This photo shows some of Mr. Allen’s spalted pecan in its raw state, before I cleaned it up for use. In its roughest form you can already see the marks of story and character — proof that what others overlook still holds purpose.
Made From Allen Spalted Pecan
Spalted pecan bowl — sold, but proof of how nature’s markings and fine craftsmanship can create one-of-a-kind pieces.
Spalted pecan wine topper — available now, a one-of-a-kind piece where nature’s markings meet everyday function.
Spalted pecan dish — available now, crafted to showcase the delicate spalting patterns that make each piece unique.
Cutting board with spalted pecan centerpiece — sold, a striking mix of natural spalting and contrasting woods.
Finished spalted pecan pieces don’t stay in the shop long. Right now, just the two shown above are available — each linked directly to its page. You can also browse the store to see everything else currently in the shop, or reach out if you’d like to talk about a custom build.