Stockdale White Oak
Rescued from the burn pile, Stockdale White Oak begins its next chapter at Salt Shaker Woodworks.
The Story
Luke May, a friend who had helped me with the foundation of my house in Stockdale, Texas, called one day about a White Oak tree he had bulldozed and was about to burn. Knowing my love for woodworking, he thought of me first.
When I got to his place, I saw a massive trunk lying there. My trailer could just barely handle the weight, but there was no way I could load it on my own. Luke climbed into his backhoe, and even though the trunk was heavy enough to tip the machine, his steady hand and skill got it up and onto my trailer.
I hauled the log down to my friend Steve’s place south of San Antonio, where his Woodmizer mill stood ready. Together we milled it, with me covering the blades and lending a hand, and in the end we split the lumber. That oak never made it to the burn pile—instead, it found its way into my shop, carrying the name Stockdale White Oak.
About the Tree
White Oak (Quercus alba) is one of the most iconic hardwoods in North America. These trees can live for centuries, often reaching heights of 80–100 feet with broad, rounded crowns. Their leaves turn a brilliant red-orange in the fall, and their acorns provide food for countless species of wildlife.
White Oaks are known not only for their beauty but also for their strength and resilience, qualities that make them highly valued both in the forest and in the workshop.
The tree pictured here isn’t the one from Stockdale, but it shows the beauty and presence of a mature White Oak in the landscape.
About the Wood
White Oak is prized for its strength, durability, and beautiful grain. Its closed-cell structure makes it resistant to moisture, a quality that has long made it the wood of choice for barrels, shipbuilding, and fine furniture. The color ranges from light to medium brown with an olive cast, and the grain often reveals striking medullary rays when quartersawn.
The Stockdale White Oak I brought back from Luke’s pasture shows these classic traits—tight grain, warm tones, and a solid weight in the hand. Each piece I make from it carries both the resilience of the tree and the memory of the effort it took to save it from the fire.
Why It Matters
Stockdale White Oak was almost gone before it ever had a chance. With one call and a backhoe lift, it was saved from the fire and put on a path to become something lasting. That’s the heart of my work at Salt Shaker Woodworks—taking wood others might discard and giving it a second life in pieces that will be used, enjoyed, and remembered.
Made From Stockdale White Oak
Available now — handcrafted bowl made from Stockdale White Oak, a salvaged log turned into lasting work.
This bowl above is available now and linked to its product page. Although it’s the only piece I have to show in Stockdale White Oak at the moment, more will definitely be coming. In the meantime, you can also see what else is available now from other reclaimed woods, or reach out for a custom order.