greenwich maple coffee table

Greenwich maple Coffee Table

This table was constructed using a 40” maple slab and a custom designed, stainless steel base. The width is 23 inches. The thickness is 3 “. The finish is a clear oil, poly blend which enhances the natural beauty.

As its name implies, the leaves of this particular Western Big Leaf Maple are huge - the largest of any of the Maples.  Subsequently, one of its main features in the forest, is shade.  During these summer months, the maples provide refuge from the heat for all sorts of plants, animals and the occasional human walking through the forest.  It is often 10-15 degrees cooler under a big maple tree.

Once they pass 75 years or so, the center of the tree will start to decay.  It is rare for a Maple to stay standing for more than 120 years.  The center will continue to rot until there is just a hollow shell left, and eventually the tree can no longer support the massive form.  

This slow decay from the inside out has its benefits though.  This is what creates much of the amazing color that you see in our maple lumber.  The center of the tree will start to turn a dark red, and will eventually show blackline spalt, as it continues to decay.