Watch the Journey
Watch our video to see this incredible project unfold—from the rare maple burl slab to the arrival and un-crating of our custom 800-pound live edge epoxy table.
🎥 Watch the video here:
Every exceptional piece of furniture has a story.
Ours began long before there was a table, long before the epoxy was poured, and even before the first slab was milled. It started with a rare maple burl log that would eventually become the centerpiece of our new warehouse.
This project brought together three companies, each contributing their expertise to create something truly special.
A Rare Opportunity
Black Forest Wood Co. acquired an extraordinary maple burl log with incredible figure, character, and natural beauty. Knowing its potential, they sent the log to GL Veneer for milling into live edge slabs and then drying.
When the maple burl log was milled into live edge slabs, we had the opportunity to select the one that would eventually become our conference table. From the beginning, we knew we wanted a table crafted from a single, continuous slab rather than multiple pieces joined together. As soon as we saw it, we knew we had found exactly what we were looking for. The incredible burl figure, natural live edge, and one-of-a-kind shape made it unlike anything we had ever seen, and we could immediately envision it becoming the centerpiece of our new warehouse.
The team at Black Forest Wood Co. was incredibly gracious throughout the design process, taking the time to walk us through every decision. Their knowledge and experience helped us choose a table design that would showcase the natural beauty of the slab while reflecting the rustic look we envisioned for our new warehouse (at the foot of the Colorado Rocky Mountains).
From the beginning, we knew we wanted to preserve as much of the live edge as possible and pair it with wood-focused legs that complemented the slab rather than distracted from it. Together, we selected resin colors that would enhance the wood’s remarkable figure while allowing its natural shape and color to remain the focal point.
Once the design renderings were complete, we could final envision what the finished table would become. Seeing this brought to life, made us even more excited – it also made it extra hard to wait as we knew we still had the drying and building process to go!
Preserving the Wood Before It Became a Table
One of the most important steps in the journey happened immediately after the slab was milled.
Before the wood entered the kiln, GL Veneer treated the slab with our Wood Juice wood stabilizer.
Wood Juice is being applied to the slab because the moisture content was approximately 20-25%, the ideal condition for applying this product.
This is an important part of our philosophy at Preservation Solutions: “Protect wood from the inside out.”
Treating the slab after milling and before kiln drying helps stabilize the wood while it is still in the ideal stage for treatment. Rather than waiting until the wood becomes a finished piece of furniture, we believe preservation should begin much earlier in the process.
Proper stabilization gives valuable wood the best opportunity to dry more evenly while helping reduce the movement, checking, and cracking that can occur as moisture leaves the wood.
The maple burl slab ready for kiln drying.
From Slab to Showpiece
Once the slab had been properly treated and kiln dried, it returned to Black Forest Wood Co., where their craftsmanship transformed it into an extraordinary live edge epoxy table.
Every step of the build reflected their attention to detail—from preserving the natural live edges and highlighting the incredible burl figure to the flawless epoxy work and beautiful finish.
The result is more than a table. It's a work of art that celebrates the natural beauty of the tree while showcasing exceptional woodworking craftsmanship.
The Arrival
After years of planning, craftsmanship, and anticipation, the finished table finally arrived at our warehouse.
At nearly 800 pounds, unloading and uncrating it was an event in itself.
Seeing the table assembled for the first time made us appreciate every step that brought it to life—from the rare maple burl log, to the milling process, to the preservation treatment, to the skilled craftsmanship that turned it into the centerpiece of our conference room.
More Than a Table
This project represents everything we value. It showcases the beauty found in nature.
It demonstrates the importance of preserving wood before it reaches its final form.
And it highlights what can happen when experts at every stage of the process work together.
We are incredibly grateful to Black Forest Wood Co. for entrusting us with this project and for their outstanding craftsmanship, and to GL Veneer for treating the slab with Wood Juice during the critical stage between milling and kiln drying.
Together, this project tells the complete story—from tree to showpiece.
Learn More
If you're working with valuable slabs, live edge lumber, or other specialty wood projects, explore these additional resources:
- Wood Juice – Product Information
- Preserve Your Wood Before You Preserve Your Wood (Video) https://youtube.com/shorts/swl4kbc5dLc
Every remarkable woodworking project begins with remarkable wood. Taking the time to treat that wood at the right stage helps ensure its natural beauty can be enjoyed for generations to come.
