Guadalupe Pecky Cypress
From the Guadalupe River to the Salt Shaker Woodworks shop, Pecky Cypress carries its story forward.
The Story
A friend of mine was working at a home by the Guadalupe River when the homeowner mentioned a problem — a cypress tree had gone down, its root ball still on the bank, and the log needed to come out of the water. My friend didn’t know what to do with it, but then he remembered: “I know a guy.” That’s when I got the call.
I was more than interested, so I came to take a look. Sure enough, it was a true sinker cypress, still resting in the river. My friend was convinced his little Chevy S-10 pickup could drag the log out. I told him, “I don’t think so.” He tried anyway and managed to pull the rear bumper clean off his truck. At that point, I went and rented a bobcat, and together we finally wrestled the log out of the river.
The homeowner agreed we could mill it there on-site as long as we cleaned up afterward. So, in came the Wood-Mizer. With the help of a friend who ran the mill, we cut into the old sinker cypress — and that’s when the surprise showed itself. Pockets and chambers ran through the boards, revealing it to be Guadalupe “Pecky” Sinker Cypress all along.
What began as a waterlogged problem became reclaimed lumber with character and story, ready for its second life.
About the Tree
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a native of the American South, thriving along rivers, swamps, and lowland areas where its roots can drink deep. Recognized by its feathery green foliage and tall, straight trunk, the tree is as at home lining bayous as it is shading parks and yards across Texas.
What sets it apart are the knees that rise from its roots in wet ground and the resilience of its wood. Even when submerged, cypress resists decay — a quality that made it a favorite for barns, siding, and docks, and the reason sinker logs can lie in rivers for decades without losing their strength.
The tree shown here is simply an example of the species — not the exact cypress that became Guadalupe Pecky Cypress.
About the Wood
Guadalupe Pecky Cypress combines two rare qualities. As a sinker log, the cypress held its strength even after years underwater — a trait the species is known for. As pecky cypress, a fungus left pocket-like voids that run through the grain, revealed only when the log was milled.
The result is wood that is both durable and distinctive. Its color ranges from warm honey to rich brown, often streaked with darker tones, while the pecky chambers add depth and texture unique to each board. Easy to work and smooth to finish, every cut reveals the character already written into the tree.
Why It Matters
Every board of Guadalupe “Pecky” Sinker Cypress carries more than just grain — it carries the story of a tree marked by nature and reclaimed from the river. The pockets left by fungus aren’t flaws; they’re patterns of time, evidence that even decay can create beauty.
As a sinker log, this cypress held its strength long after it settled into the Guadalupe. Pulled out, milled, and revealed, it shows what reclaimed wood is all about: character that can’t be manufactured, only uncovered. To me, working with it is a reminder that the best stories are written into the wood itself, waiting for the right hands to bring them forward.
Made From Guadalupe Pecky Cypress
Custom mantle crafted from Guadalupe “Pecky” Sinker Cypress — the first piece made from this reclaimed river wood.
The mantle shown here was a custom build — the first piece made from Guadalupe “Pecky” Sinker Cypress. While there are no other pieces available right now, more will come in time. If you’d like something created from this reclaimed river wood, you can request a custom order.