Woods

    
     
   

GRIFFIN W. OKIE has been collecting exotic woods for over 25 years. He warehouses an impressive variety of wood species in five large sheds. For the past 15 years, Grif has been concentrating on the "California Exotics": native trees, harvested as salvage, such as California Walnut, Bay, Black Oak, Madrone and Buckeye, as well as introduced trees including American Elm, Black Acacia, Blue Gum Eucalyptus, Red Gum Eucalyptus and Osage Orange. In addition, Grif has obtained a large quantity of Hawaiian Koa from a friend who bought it in the 1970's--a magnificent load of incredibly rare wood.

                 

     

   
           
California Bay   Black Acacia

  This tree inhabits the streams and valleys, where it grows large diameter trunks. A tan to creamy-yellow color with some grays. Huge slabs and burls are available for the more adventurous clients.   In February, this tree's prolific yellow blossoms cause much sneezing throughout the Bay Area. Get even!...Buy a table made of this rich, reddish-brown, rustic-looking wood.      
                 
         
     
California Black Walnut  

Koa

Mostly found around homes in the valleys of California, this colorful walnut boasts shades of coffee-brown mixed with blacks, grays and reds.  

From Hawaii, Koa is beautifully busy, bright orange-red with black accents. No longer available in environmentally conscious wood lots, our supply was purchased in the late '70s.

     
                 
 

 

          

 

    

Blue Gum Eucalyptus

 

Red Gum Eucalyptus

Introduced from Australia, this blond wood grows so fast it has taken over many parts of the California hills and dales. Rarely used for furniture because of its difficulty in drying. Has a most elegant subtle quilted pattern.  

Also from Australia, the more rare, dark evenly red, tight-grained wood is quite dense.

     
                 
 
                 

American Elm

 

Osage Orange

Many Elm trees blew down in the 1992 storms in Northern California. A wide-grained formal brown wood, often seen in Japanese Tansu panels or chair seats. We make entire tables from this wood--very dramatic.  

Brought to California from the Southeast U.S., this wood starts out the hue of orange rind but slowly turns browner. Heavy and weather resistant.

     
                 
             
      Cherry   Bird's-eye Maple      
      One of everyone's favorites, to smell, to work with, to live with. This peaceful reddish wood eventually becomes as dark as smoked salmon. We buy our Cherry in large batches from Pennsylvania.   One of the most dazzling, light colored woods. It has white grain, with small circles of brilliance. With oil, it can be mellowed to a straw-like color, or lacquered to maintain it's lustrous ivory quality.