Tree Tables: Transforming Downed Trees into Bespoke Furniture. *Live Edge Furniture on Long Island.

Glen Cove, Long Island, 2019: It was one of those perfect late-summer days in September, the kind that makes you pause and appreciate where you are. I remember pulling up to a construction site near our local health food store and spotting them—two massive eastern black walnut logs lying on the ground. Their rich, chocolate-colored heartwood stood out against the gray bark, nearly flawless despite being downed for development.

Black walnut logs spotted at a construction site.

I knew I had to act fast. These logs wouldn’t last long if someone else decided to haul them away. So, I did what I always do—I asked. The developer was kind enough to let me take them, and with the help of a local tree service, we managed to get them loaded onto a truck. It wasn’t easy—one log was over 15 feet long, and the truck bed was only 12. But we made it work, cutting off a wonky section with a chainsaw to fit.

A few weeks later, those logs were milled into slabs, stacked to air-dry, and eventually kiln-dried to stabilize the wood. By the fall of 2020, they were ready.

A skilled forklift operator from the tree service saves the day, successfully removing the logs from the rugged terrain.

From Logs to Furniture

Those two logs turned into some of my favorite pieces—each with its own purpose.

Country Club Tables in the Hamptons

One of the first projects from this haul was a set of display tables for a country club in the Hamptons. The walnut’s deep grain and natural edges gave the space a warm, organic feel. It was satisfying to see wood that had nearly been discarded become something people admired.

The Pro Shop at Amagansett Golf Club.

Dining Tables for Everyday Use

We also made several dining tables from those slabs. One was a large live-edge piece, wide enough for family dinners and gatherings. Another had a more modern design, with clean lines that let the wood speak for itself. The best part? Knowing that these tables would be used for years, maybe even passed down.

Dining table made for a local customer.

A Table Base

The most unexpected piece was a table base made entirely from the walnut we rescued. Instead of using metal legs, I built a base using boards and joinery.

Table base witch octagonal shaped legs. This will support a dining table top.

Why This Work Matters

What started as two logs on a construction site became furniture with a story.

At Sound Designs, we don’t just build furniture; we give wood a second life. Whether it’s a dining table, a display piece, or something entirely unique, the goal is the same: to make pieces that fit into people’s lives and stand the test of time.

Note:

The article title was inspired by the name of my Uncle's store in New York City called "Tree Tables". This store operated in the 1970s in Manhattan and sold custom live edge tables, clocks, and decor made using redwood sourced from Northern California. I grew up with some of the pieces he made around the house and was inspired by them to pursue my work.

By Joe Ferrara, Founder, Sound Designs. May 31, 2025

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