Applegate Ipe
From a forgotten stack to Salt Shaker Woodworks, Applegate Ipe carries its story forward.
The Story
I first met Mike Applegate when he was managing the Habitat for Humanity store in Seguin, Texas, where my wife volunteered. We struck up a friendship, and Mike became a regular at my Thursday Night Sip ’n’ Smoke—a simple gathering on the back porch where a few of us would sip a little whiskey, light up a cigar, and enjoy each other’s company.
One evening Mike mentioned that the store had some wood that had been sitting there for years without moving. He didn’t know what it was, only that he’d let it go for a very low price just to clear space. I told him I’d come by and take a look.
Am I glad I did. Stacked there were several 1 x 4s and 1 x 6’s of Ipe, dense and beautiful. Mike gave me a great price, and I took them home.
Although technically purchased, I still see this as reclaimed wood. Someone didn’t want it, so they donated it to Habitat. Habitat didn’t want it, so they practically gave it to me. It was wood going nowhere until I came along—and now its story carries forward.
About the Tree
Ipe trees (Handroanthus species), often called Brazilian Walnut or Lapacho, are as tough as they are beautiful. Native to Central and South America, they can tower more than a hundred feet tall with strong, straight trunks that make them valuable for timber.
When in bloom, their crowns explode with clusters of brilliant yellow flowers, turning the tree into a beacon in the landscape. Beyond their beauty, Ipe trees are important in their native habitats—providing shade, shelter for birds, and nectar for pollinators.
About the Wood
Ipe is one of the hardest and heaviest woods in the world, prized for its strength and durability. Its tight grain and deep, rich color make it stand out in any project. This density is remarkable—so much so that Ipe will not burn. It can char on the surface, but it simply won’t ignite, a trait few woods can claim.
Because of these qualities, Ipe has long been used in demanding applications such as outdoor decking, boardwalks, and heavy-duty construction where other woods would quickly wear down. In the shop, it works cleanly but demands sharp tools and patience, rewarding the effort with a finish that is both smooth and striking.
Why It Matters
Ipe is among the hardest woods on earth—so dense it will char but not burn, and so durable that it can last for decades outdoors. Yet even wood with those qualities can end up forgotten, sitting in a pile with no future.
That’s what makes reclaiming it so important. Good lumber doesn’t belong left to waste. By giving Ipe a place in my work, I’m not just shaping wood, I’m carrying forward something that might otherwise have been lost.
Made From Applegate Ipe
Cutting board with Ipe and maple accents — Available Now.
Cutting board with Ipe, maple, and purpleheart accents — Sold.
Cutting board with Ipe, maple, and purpleheart accents — Found a home.
One Applegate Ipe cutting board is available now, and two others have already found homes. This is a limited supply wood, rescued through a one-time chance.
If you’d like to be sure you don’t miss out, a custom order is possible while the Ipe lasts. And if this particular piece is gone, you can still explore the wide variety of other reclaimed woods currently in the shop.