Wood Stories
Every piece of reclaimed wood has a past — a tree that once shaded a yard, a beam that held up a dance studio, a log brought down by a storm. These are more than scraps; they’re fragments of history waiting to be given new life.
This section gathers those stories. Each wood has its own journey, from where it was found to how it came into my shop, and why it matters to me. I invite you to explore and discover the character, history, and beauty behind the materials that shape Salt Shaker Woodworks.
The gallery below shows the woods I’ve collected — each photo opens its story.
Allen Ambrosia Maple
Beetle-streaked maple from Mr. Allen’s collection — rescued before it was lost.
Allen Cocobolo
Exotic cocobolo from Mr. Allen’s collection — kept from ruin and carried forward.
Allen American Elm
American elm from Mr. Allen’s collection — saved from destruction and given new life.
Allen Ash
Ash from Mr. Allen’s collection — preserved instead of being thrown away.
Allen Cherry
Cherry from Mr. Allen’s collection — spared from the burn pile and reborn.
Allen Pecan
Strong native pecan from Mr. Allen’s collection — protected from waste and transformed.
Allen Purpleheart
Purpleheart from Mr. Allen’s collection — saved before it could be destroyed.
Allen Spalted Pecan
Spalted pecan from Mr. Allen’s collection — rescued and given a second life.
Allen Yellowheart
Yellowheart from Mr. Allen’s collection — salvaged and brought back to purpose.
Allen Zebrawood
Zebrawood from Mr. Allen’s collection — salvaged and brought back to purpose.
Bismark St Longleaf Pine
Century-old longleaf pine shiplap from a Texas remodel — reclaimed and restored.
Dreyer Mesquite
Mesquite from Mr. Dreyer’s Texas pasture — strong, beautiful, and full of story.
Grant Olive
Olive wood from my neighbor Mr. Grant’s tree — lost to a freeze, now given new life.
Guadalupe River Pecky Cypress
Rare pecky cypress pulled from the Guadalupe River — dramatic, reclaimed, and full of character.
Higgins Longleaf Pine
500-year-old longleaf pine reclaimed from century-old porch columns — historic and irreplaceable.
Kingsbury St Oil Palm
Kingsbury Street oil palm — a challenging wood, with one beautiful success.
Humphries Street American Beech
American beech rescued from a Seguin curb — saved from the chipper, now given new life.
Medina Mesquite
Mesquite from Medina County — rescued from the burn pile, with history hidden inside.
New Braunfels ISD Oak
White oak reclaimed from the historic New Braunfels ISD building — Texas history preserved.
Olive Street Pecan
Olive Street pecan — rescued curbside in Seguin before the city chipper got it.
Pecan Hall Red Oak
Red oak from Pecan Hall at Northwest Vista College — saved from the dumpster and given new life.
Robles Black Walnut
Black walnut saved through partnership with Mr. Robles — rescued from waste, given new life.
Seguin ISD Maple
Maple from Seguin ISD gym flooring — reclaimed wood with a story of community.
Seguin ISD Oak
Oak reclaimed from Seguin ISD gym flooring — durable, timeless, and full of history.
Stockdale Chinaberry
Chinaberry from our old place in Stockdale — unexpected beauty, reclaimed and reborn.
Stockdale White Oak
White oak from Stockdale — saved from the burn pile, now lasting in the shop.
West African Mansonia
West African Mansonia — purchased for benches, now part of my shop’s inventory.