What Is Natural Wood?

Natural Wood comes from the world around us in an organic state. There are differences as to what would qualify aside from separating natural from other wood that is synthetic.

Of these differences includes farm grown when compared to wood taken from the wild.

The difference between farm grown to wild grown is actually important. Farm grown wood yields what you often find in hardware stores.

It is generic and plain to the colors found in its grain. Nothing exists about the lumber which is unique or special.

Wild grown, sometimes called Old Growth Wood, will often offer far more variety in color due to the many seasons of weathering. Storms, wind, and breaks which cause stress add to the beauty found in its grain.

Why The Difference Between Natural Wood And Farm Grown Matters

The difference between farm grown or the more organic natural wood is important. Structures like homes are more commonly built with one.

The latter is where you find wood art, live edge work from craftsmen, and more exotic wood pieces.

It really goes back to the beauty of the wood. There is another component which comes into play with this difference. This component is price.

Wild grown can be far more expensive. Even though it was not farm grown the wood must first be found, then cut and dried, and finally sold.

All of this is usually done by a single individual.

Rarity of the wood also plays a role in this price. It is already something which is more difficult to find when compared to “mass produced” farms. Yet when one finds something truly unique it is indeed a real treasure to possess.

The benefit to farm grown wood is supply. The volume of wood needed for projects such as within homes could not be supplied by enough natural wood.

Tree farms aid in preventing deforestation while maintaining the balance of need for commercial use.

Using Natural Wood That Is Wild Grown

Using Natural Wood which is acquired from the wild is often far more challenging than farm grown. The wild variant is typically not dimensionally cut.

You will find that you will need the woodworking tools to cut and shape the pieces to your needs.

If you are the one who take the wood from the wild there are processes which you must be aware of. The wood will need to dried or “cured”.

There are home grown diy methods for achieving this if you do not have a kiln.

You will also need to clean the wood for its use. Be sure to inspect it for any bugs or creepy crawling things. How you decide to clean the lumber will often depend upon the choice of its use for your projects.

The key to come away with here is that the up front processing is your responsibility rather than a lumber mill. With a few tools and some diy ingenuity it should be no trouble at all.

Alternatively one can always fine those who curate woods of this kind. Resourcing wood for art can often be done locally within your area.

Retaining The Appearance Of Natural Wood

The desire to retain the woods natural appearance often comes from two key points. Either it is due to its beauty by the grain, or by its design in how it will be used.

While both can apply to the same project, usually one is for art and the other is by theme in decoration and design.

In order to retain the natural wood appearance there are two processes which need to be considered. The first is how the wood is processed for use.

The second is how the wood is preserved. I will break both of these into their own categories for consideration.

Processing Natural Wood To Retain Appearance

When you process natural wood to retain its appearance I am speaking of how the wood is cut to be used. Here you will find ideas like live edge slabs or boards.

The goal is to allow as much of the woods natural state to show through the piece as possible.

For items such as tables some craftsmen will attempt to find smaller trees which have a natural V shape. This is done by how the main trunk can branch off near its base.

When cut this V can be inverted in order to make two sets of legs matching in origin.

In this example we see how the craftsman or artist can attempt to process the wood in such a way as to retain its natural elements. This is something which simply cannot be done with farm grown lumber that is found in stores.

Preserving The Natural Wood State

When you have the kind of beauty which Natural Wood can offer most often it is desired to preserve it in its natural state. There are many forms of preservation.

The most basic can be done with wood sealers of various kinds found in the common hardware store.

More may be required for items such as tables. Some may desire that wood epoxies be used to form a durable layer across the surface.

There are many variations of these products for use on larger wood furnishings.

For smaller pieces used in kitchens or with food prep and serving, wood oils will be preferred. Here too there are many to select from.

Just ensure that the method you use is non toxic to the intended purposes.

No matter which project you have in mind the point behind each method is to retain the natural beauty of the wood. To achieve this the preservation technique will enhance the wood color, its grain, and protect its surface.

Clear sealers or natural toners are common. Oils do add color but do not change the state of the wood. Stains are typically left to lighter colors in order to enhance what is naturally within the grain.

If there are darker tones that are added to elements of the wood it is typically done as an accent. The goal is to retain as much of the natural appearance as possible for the sake of its beauty.

Farm Grown Natural Wood Uses And Preservation

Here is where you find the dimensional lumber from the typical hardware store. Its uses are most often construction based. It can be used for making things like cabinetry or basic furnishings.

While it holds no natural beauty its use is more focused on function by need rather than style. For example you would never use wild grown natural wood for decking. Here farm grown wins the day.

One version of Natural Wood is not necessarily better than the other. The point goes back to how it is intended to be used. This is the dividing difference.

Preservation of farm grown wood is what most everyone is accustomed to seeing and using around the home. It is here you find painting and deck sealers for wood preservation.

Instead of attempting to retain the natural beauty you are covering the wood in order to protect it from elements, rot, or being attacked by insects.

It is for this reason that we have seen the rise of synthetic lumber in our time. Each attempts to offer ways to protect from the elements and organisms that would decay natural wood.

What Tools Are Needed For Farm and Natural Wood?

The tools you need for farm grown wood are few in number. A miter saw, skilsaw, screws and a drill is almost all you need. Some projects may require a table saw.

When working with wild grown natural wood there is a lot more you need. The basic tools for wood art come into play here. Still if you are one to enjoy hobbyist woodworking you may already have much of what you need.

Nevertheless tools such as a bandsaw, router, and a table saw are absolute necessities. While two of the previously mentioned can create a needed thickness having a planer is really a must have for speed and accuracy.

Processing down larger logs though is an altogether different beast. Here you will need a log mill which is definitely outside of the typical tools found in most wood shops.

If one is feeling really adventurous a cnc mill can aid in creating many art designs. Yet this is not something you just decide to build on a whim.

If you have one of these already I doubt you are reading this article as an introduction to natural wood.

Dangers Of Natural Wood

There are dangers to be aware of when working with natural wood. These dangers do not exist in the same way with synthetic options or plastic woods.

Wood dust can be created by saws which reach down to two microns. This requires you to wear a respirator if working indoors.

Most wood shops worth their value have an interior ventilation system built to aid in clearing air and capturing wood dust.

Note that the beauty you see in more exotic grains come from damage which was caused by more than wind and other elements.

Mold and other bacteria is common to find in these woods. This is why the drying process is so critical.

Even when lumber is cured there is still danger from these organisms. All it takes is one living spore to make it to you lungs. Please be attentive to protecting yourself from what could be within the wood.

When working outdoors there is still a potential for breathing in dust or spores which is created by saws. Yet the risk is at least minimized due to the open air environment.

It is also important to note that some species of wood can cause or create allergic reactions.

I know a woodworker personally that can no longer work with Cedar due to this reason. Over time of breathing in dust the natural oils has caused complications to his body.

Know the species of natural wood you are working with and how to protect yourself accordingly within your environment. This really is something that no one should roll the dice on or take lightly.

Where To Find Natural Wood?

The most beautiful selections are often found at local hobbyist mills in peoples back yards. Seriously this is the best place to look.

I have found more exotic Natural Wood this way than by any other.

It can have a feel like going to hunt for yard sales. Yet with this you are discovering real treasures rather than finding someones unwanted junk.

Using this method I have found spalted wood of many kinds, rainbow poplar where the colors shine through beautifully, and many others variations.

Normally these mills can be found through Facebook marketplace where small shops are tied to the local woodworking community.

If you are wanting to discover natural live edge pieces they will have them. Smaller pieces for framing art or creating wood art, they will have these too. Prices are typically far better than larger retailers such as Woodcraft.

Get to know these guys and treat them well. You simply cannot find a better source for your needs. It will pay dividends down the road in the outcome of your art.

Purchasing Natural Wood Online

Some have had success with purchasing online Natural Wood of various kinds. Yet this is something that I really try to stay away from.

The problem here is that you cannot hand select the pieces you want.

Some guy in a shop that you do not know is gathering whatever he happens to set his hands on and boxes it up for you. It just is not my flavor or style to do things this way.

In a pinch if you really need a species that you simply cannot find then this may be an option. Yet I would avoid it if possible.

There will be times where you may want or need more exotic species that are controlled by import laws.

In these cases you really will have no option but to order online. That is unless someone like Woodcraft happens to be local to you and they have what you need.

Yet with these species expect to pay a very steep premium. Within North America we have some of the most beautiful Natural Wood selections found on any continent.

Albeit I agree there are those which are superb that we do not have.

Nevertheless the only time I would consider purchasing blindly from a source would be in this case. Luckily for me if it was a must, I can find much of those needs in store and in person.