A Curated Collection Chosen for Beauty, Strength, and Story
At Lake Antler Works, every piece begins long before it reaches the workshop. It begins with the tree itself.
As I discussed in my previous article, the woods I offer my clients must meet a strict set of criteria. I select each species based on hardness, size, aesthetic beauty, and structural integrity. Only the species that excel in all four of these areas earn a place in my studio.
From these standards, I’ve chosen six exceptional woods whose natural traits lend themselves to heirloom-quality furniture: Walnut, Acacia (Monkey Pod), Pecan, Hard Maple, White Oak, and Mesquite.
Each species brings its own character, its own story, and its own design opportunities.
Walnut
Few woods carry the reputation or timeless appeal of walnut. Revered by craftsmen for generations, walnut remains a favorite for its rich, chocolate-brown heartwood, dramatic grain contrasts, and visual depth. Its natural palette ranges from dark espresso to warm amber, often accented with subtle reds and blacks woven through its figure.
I frequently work with several varieties—each offering its own unique variations: Black Walnut, Claro Walnut, English Walnut, Bastogne Walnut, and lastly – though not a species, but rather a growth formation – is known as walnut burl.
Black Walnut
Classic. Elegant. Deeply traditional. Black Walnut offers a straighter grain, refined character, and a timeless look that complements nearly any design style.
Claro Walnut
Native to the West Coast, Claro Walnut grows larger and expresses bold, wavy grain patterns that create movement across a tabletop. Its figure is dynamic and highly sought after for statement pieces.
English Walnut
Slightly less red than its relatives, English Walnut delivers a silky chocolate tone with strong contrasts between its tan sapwood and dark, streaked heartwood. The definition between these areas often makes for striking slab compositions.
Bastogne Walnut
A rare and naturally occurring hybrid, Bastogne is lighter in tone with exceptional clarity in its sapwood. It is known to display more curl than other walnut variations – curl being the characteristic of appearing to have a three dimensional or wavy surface. Its unique combination of color figure and curl makes it a prized choice for collectors.
Walnut Burls
While not a species, walnut burls deserve their own category. Burls occur when a tree experiences an injury and heals by forming a large, knotted growth. Inside, the grain twists, folds, and explodes into unpredictable shapes and colors.
In California’s walnut orchards, English Walnut was often grafted onto Claro Walnut, sometimes producing massive burls—24″ to over 96″ in diameter. These burls reveal wildly intricate patterns and are among the most breathtaking materials I work with. Furniture made from burl wood is instantly captivating. It is art in its rawest, most natural form.
Acacia (Monkey Pod)
The only exotic species I commonly use, Acacia—often called Monkey Pod—is a gentle giant of the tropical hardwood world. These trees grow to astonishing sizes, with trunks reaching up to ten feet across, producing slabs ideal for large, round, or expansive live-edge tables.
Acacia’s coloring is a smooth milk-chocolate brown, accentuated by flowing, elegant grain lines and a crisp ring of tan sapwood around the perimeter. The balance of beauty, size, and structural stability makes Monkey Pod a wonderful choice for clients seeking both presence and warmth.
Pecan
Pecan, the largest member of the Hickory family, carries a very pleasant presence to many clients. Slightly more golden than traditional hickory, Pecan features bold black and dark-brown streaks in its grains, sometimes interrupted by brilliant red streaks where the tree has naturally split or healed.
The grain figure or pattern often resembles Walnut—with dramatic movement and rich tonal variation. Pecan is a very hard and strong wood, harder than oak and approaching the hardness of Mesquite. The result is a visually dynamic and incredibly durable material for furniture that will last generations and warm any space.
White Oak
White Oak is a staple in American woodworking for good reason. Known for its strength, straight grain, and quiet elegance, White Oak has long been considered a symbol of durability and heritage craftsmanship.
Its tone stays beautifully neutral—never overly yellow—with the right finish. The cellular structure of White Oak makes it naturally rot-resistant and exceptionally stable. Clean, timeless, dependable—White Oak is a wood you can trust for both classic and modern designs.
Hard Maple
I use Hard Maple selectively and intentionally. While I don’t often build pieces from traditional growth slabs, I actively seek out Maple burls when I can find them. They are rare treasures.
Because Maple trees are prone to interior rot, a solid, intact burl is uncommon—but when one appears, it produces some of the most visually stunning wood found anywhere. When finished, Maple burls glow with a luminous gold tone. Their heavy figure and intense curl create hypnotic surfaces that shift and shimmer with the light.
Curl, often described as ripples or waves in the grain, gives the surface a three-dimensional, reflective quality. The result is a surface that feels alive—shimmering, warm, and unmistakably unique.
Mesquite
Mesquite is one of the most misunderstood species. Though technically classified as a shrub, Mesquite can grow into substantial sized trees in areas with abundant water—especially on farms or ranchland. When it does, it produces slabs of large size that are exceptional.
Its color is a deep, warm red, accented by tight black streaks and beautifully refined curls. Mesquite is extremely hard—twice as hard as Walnut—and is the most durable species I work with. Its texture and natural strength give it a rugged character that feels right at home in Western-inspired or high-end rustic spaces.
Mesquite brings a sense of authenticity and Southwest heritage into the home. It is bold, distinctive, and full of story.
Conclusion
Each of these six species carries its own history, personality, and natural artistry. But more importantly, each of the six species I consistently rely on meets the standards I hold for every piece that leaves my shop—beauty, strength, stability, and story. Whether it’s the deep elegance of Walnut, the warm presence of Pecan, the quiet strength of White Oak, or the rugged soul of Mesquite—each piece begins with a tree ready to be given a second life as a beautiful piece of functional art.