--- title: "The Origins & Species of Our Reclaimed Woods" description: "Discover the fascinating origins of our reclaimed woods. Learn how timber from 18th- and 19th-century barns, warehouses, and mills — often 100 to 250 years old — becomes the foundation of our handcrafted furniture. Explore the varieties and history of these remarkable old-growth trees." canonical_url: "https://furniturefromthebarn.com/blog/the-origins-species-of-our-reclaimed-woods" md_url: "https://furniturefromthebarn.com/blog/the-origins-species-of-our-reclaimed-woods.md" last_updated: "2025-08-12" --- # The Origins & Species of Our Reclaimed Woods > [Furniture From The Barn](/index.md): custom furniture handcrafted from reclaimed barn wood and American hardwoods in Nottingham, Pennsylvania. Site guide: [llms.txt](/llms.txt) - **Published:** 2016-09-18 - **Updated:** 2025-08-12 - **Author:** Kelly Tryon-Kelly **The Origins & Species of Our Reclaimed Woods** We’re often asked, “What are the origins and wood species in your furniture?” Here’s a clear, concise answer. ## **![Old weathered barn mid-deconstruction with its timber-frame skeleton exposed beside a hay pile](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/12B8579C-63A1-47F1-8EF4-3C690B87C66E_1_105_c.jpg?v=1755036673)** ## **Why Reclaimed Wood** The materials in our handcrafted pieces reflect the custom nature of our work—**reclaimed wood**. Before it became furniture, much of this timber framed **barns, warehouses, and mills** built in the **18th and 19th centuries** (roughly 100–250 years ago). Those buildings were typically constructed with **mature, old-growth trees**—often 100–200 years old at the time—felled nearby and hauled by horse to the job site. Add that up, and many of the boards we work with today come from trees that began growing **300–500 years ago**. That long life yields **tight grain, stability, and character** you simply can’t fake—nail holes, saw marks, mineral streaks, and the natural patina of time. The typical procedure involved using trees near the construction site to save time and costs. Trees were felled and hauled by horses to where the structure was being built. As a result, your reclaimed wood furniture piece might be made from wood ranging from 300 to 500 years old! ![Stack of massive hand-hewn silver-gray barn timbers felled and hauled for an 1813 build](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/3BFD9702-00D8-44AD-AC05-2B39056B22A7_1_105_c.jpg?v=1755036724) ![Gutted barn interior in one-point perspective down the center aisle toward open sky](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/1B27F4DC-7416-4990-BDC8-B3579BC515A5_1_105_c.jpg?v=1755036766) ## **The Five Main Reclaimed Species We Use** Below are the primary species we source from old barns and historic structures. Each brings its own look, feel, and strengths. ### **Oak (Red)** Oak is **dense, strong, and highly grained**—the hardest of the woods we commonly use. - **Red oak** shows **warm, reddish undertones** and pronounced tight grain. Can be light to medium in color will not be as light as white oak.  - Ideal for: tabletops, benches, and pieces that take daily use. ![Reclaimed red oak board sample with warm reddish undertones and pronounced tight grain](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/DSC_0027_04c47913-91ef-462c-841d-ec87d284b5eb.jpg?v=1735172711) ## **![Farm table with a golden top and a pumpkin in an autumn yard](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/IMG_4375_1.jpg?v=1790338291)** ## **![Rustic chestnut table with turned legs in a pine-needle forest setting with dappled sunlight](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/IMG_1283.jpg?v=1790338347)** ## **![Trestle table with shaped feet and breadboard ends holding a vase of purple tulips in a pine grove](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/IMG_1873_3.jpg?v=1790338509)** ## **Chestnut (aka “Wormy Chestnut”)** Chestnut is technically a **hardwood**, but it sits in the **mid-range for hardness**, making it gentle on the eye and pleasantly workable. In our region’s historic barns, **oak and chestnut beams** were common. Reclaimed chestnut frequently shows **wormholes**, a beloved feature that adds depth and character. **Why chestnut is only available reclaimed:** In the early 1900s, the American chestnut population was devastated by **chestnut blight** caused by the fungus _Cryphonectria parasitica_. The blight is widely traced to imported Asian chestnut stock identified in New York City in **1904**. The disease spread rapidly; by the 1920s, mature chestnuts across much of the East were gone. Many dead trees stood for years, becoming habitat for small boring beetles—hence the classic **“wormy chestnut”** you see in heirloom pieces today. **Look & use:** chocolate-to-golden tones, open grain, rich history; beautiful for tables, case goods, and accent panels. ![Vertical wood beam with diagonal braces inside old barn](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/DSC_0218.jpg?v=1735172711) ![Reclaimed chestnut board sample with warm chocolate-to-golden tones, open grain, and knots](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/6A9648E0-5317-4CCF-9308-ED0C8FFB1A95_1_105_c.jpg?v=1755034358) ![Reclaimed oak board sample with reddish-brown tones and pronounced tight grain](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/88278957-11DA-4F44-9783-CD38534365AF_1_105_c.jpg?v=1755034434) ## **![Barnwood-framed mirror standing on a sunny lawn without the resident cat photobombing this frame](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/IMG_0734_ced66d34-c022-4da4-9c74-7b03582a9fe7.jpg?v=1790338790)** ## **![Reclaimed chestnut grain close-up with chocolate-to-golden tones and old nail holes](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/IMG_6701_1.jpg?v=1790338820)** **![Straight-even reclaimed Douglas fir grain detail in warm amber tones](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/IMG_6707_2.jpg?v=1790338855)** ## **Douglas Fir** Douglas fir belongs to the pine family and offers a **straight, even grain** with **moderate hardness** (not as soft as white pine, not as hard as oak). It often shows **subtle red undertones** and smaller knots than white or yellow pine. **Why we recommend it:** When you want a **refined, smoother look** with plenty of character—without heavy color variation—fir is a great choice. ![Rectangular wooden dining table with turned legs and reddish-brown finish on light grey patio floor](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/6x40desk100_1509.jpg?v=1735172711) ![Smooth golden reclaimed Douglas fir tabletop sample with refined even grain](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/IMG_0015-1.jpg?v=1735172711) ## **Yellow Pine (Heart Pine)** Our reclaimed yellow pine is typically **dense and weighty**, with warm **amber/yellow undertones** and dramatic grain. It’s frequently used outdoors and makes **bright, light-toned furniture**. **Finishing tip:** We prefer to **celebrate its natural, lighter color** rather than push it very dark. ![Reclaimed yellow pine planks with dark knots in amber and chestnut tones](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/DCEEE1DE-8490-4173-BE71-27A59F86A420_1_105_c.jpg?v=1754575428)![Yellow pine X-trestle dining table finished in tung oil with a pumpkin centerpiece next to a stone wall](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/DSC_0112.jpg?v=1735172711) ## **White Pine** A perennial customer favorite for **classic farmhouse tables and cabinetry**. White pine is the **softest** species we use, with beautiful **color variation** and knots (often with darker halos). If you need maximum hardness, white pine isn’t the pick—but if you love **warmth, patina, and lived-in charm**, it’s perfect. We especially love how **milk paint** looks over white pine for cabinetry. **![Reclaimed white pine board with warm patina, knots, and darker halos under a natural finish](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/8055BF35-6F32-4EAF-A784-24336924B9CF_1_105_c.jpg?v=1754575242)** ![Diagonal close-up of a honey-brown reclaimed white pine tabletop with nail holes under a soft finish](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/FEFF86AE-F486-4DB6-8755-8CE5149265C2_1_105_c.jpg?v=1754575140) ![Reclaimed white pine plank with warm amber tones and small scattered knots](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/96AE095A-4EAD-4A11-8DCC-5A165E2185C0_1_105_c.jpg?v=1754575313) ![Reclaimed pine board finished in tung oil showing a honey satin sheen](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0631/3626/8358/files/Reclaimed-Pine-finished-in-tung-oil_ba481404-aa5f-443c-ae19-897755d5a263.jpg?v=1735172711) ## **Reclaimed Woods: Natural Color Variation** **Weathering & orientation:** Boards age differently depending on where they lived in the structure (e.g., north vs. south exposure). **Layering history:** You may see “ghosting” where other boards once overlapped. We **lean into** these variations—they tell the story of the wood’s past and give your piece one-of-a-kind depth. --- ## **Staining & Finishing** Different species accept stain differently. We typically **dilute stain on pines** to avoid over-darkening, while **oak and chestnut** take stain more evenly and deeply. For a deeper dive into our process, read [**The Art of Finishing Reclaimed Wood**](/blog/the-art-of-finishing-reclaimed-wood). --- ## **Kiln-Dried for Performance** After we prepare boards for building, we **kiln-dry** our reclaimed lumber. This added step helps with **stability and longevity** in your finished furniture. --- ## **Why Reclaimed Can Cost More (and Why It’s Worth It)** Working with reclaimed lumber is **labor-intensive**. We carefully **de-nail**, **re-saw beams into boards** (especially for chestnut and oak), and **plane** everything smooth. Reclaimed wood is tough on tools—we go through **more saw blades** than with new lumber. The result, though, is furniture with **history, integrity, and character** you can’t reproduce. --- ### **Every Piece Is Truly One-of-a-Kind** Even when two pieces share the same style, no two boards—and no two finished tables—look exactly alike. That’s the beauty of reclaimed wood: it gives you a **singular, heirloom-quality** piece. Have questions about which species is right for your home and lifestyle? Tell us about your space and how you’ll use the piece—we’ll guide you to the perfect wood and finish. ## More - [All Our Blog](/blog.md) Canonical page: [The Origins & Species of Our Reclaimed Woods](https://furniturefromthebarn.com/blog/the-origins-species-of-our-reclaimed-woods)