Olive Street Pecan
From a curbside rescue on Olive Street to the Salt Shaker shop, Olive Street Pecan carries its story forward.
The Story
While driving in Seguin, on Olive Street, I happened to see that a pecan tree had been cut down in someone’s front yard. The wood was piled up at the curb, waiting for brush pickup.
I didn’t know who lived there, but since it was at the curb, I made a quiet “ninja move” and picked up what I could.
Once home, I painted the ends of every piece and let them air-dry on my driveway for almost two years. When I finally milled them, I wasn’t disappointed—the grain and color were worth the wait. This collection is now part of my usable inventory. I haven’t yet made anything from Olive Street Pecan, but rest assured pieces are coming.
About the Tree
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is as Texas as it gets—and it’s right at home on Seguin streets and in front yards like the one on Olive Street. Mature pecans often reach 70–100 feet with broad, spreading crowns that throw serious shade. In spring they leaf out with feathered compound leaves; by fall, husked nuts drop and feed everything from squirrels to schoolkids pocketing snacks on the walk home. Named the Texas state tree in 1919, pecan is both everyday and iconic here—part of the neighborhood skyline as much as the kitchen table.
The tree shown here is an example of the species—not the exact Olive Street tree.
About the Wood
Pecan has a reputation for strength you can feel the moment you lift a board. Hard and weighty, yet fine enough in grain to take detail, it bridges utility and beauty in a way few woods do. Its tones shift from soft browns to deeper reddish hues, often carrying faint ripples or waves that catch the light.
When I milled the Olive Street logs after nearly two years of drying, the boards showed exactly that balance — warm color, steady grain, and just enough character to keep things interesting without overwhelming the eye.
This pecan now rests in my inventory, ready for its second life in the pieces still to come.
Why It Matters
Every board of Olive Street Pecan carries more than just grain and color — it carries the story of a curbside rescue. What could have been chipped, shredded, or burned is instead stacked, drying, and waiting for new purpose.
That’s what reclaimed woodworking is about to me: stepping in before good wood is lost, honoring the tree it came from, and giving it a future as something lasting. These boards don’t just sit in a rack; they hold the promise of pieces that will carry their story forward.
Made From Olive Street Pecan
Pieces are still to come — check back soon.
Olive Street Pecan hasn’t yet made its debut in the shop, but it’s on the way. While these boards are still resting in my inventory, you can explore what’s available now from other reclaimed Texas woods — each with its own story to tell.
If you already have an idea in mind for Olive Street Pecan, custom orders are welcome. Let me know what you’re dreaming of, and we can carry this curbside rescue forward together.