Turning a really old and really big Oregon walnut tree into live edge dining tables

From Sauvie Island to the Dining Room: A Historic Walnut Tree Becomes Custom Tables

Last year I had a client who wanted a unique, one-of-a-kind custom dining table. I knew Goby Walnut had been working on an incredible project: salvaging one of the largest Oregon black walnut trees ever recorded from Sauvie Island, just outside Portland.

The typical circumference of a walnut tree is around 12 feet. This giant measured 27 feet in circumference, stood over 100 feet tall, and had a crown spread of about 150 feet. The tree dated back to the mid-1800s and had become a safety risk after showing signs of thousand cankers disease in 2019. Goby Walnut carefully harvested it in the summer of 2020 and began the long process of milling, air drying, and kiln drying. By spring 2023, the slabs were finally ready to be transformed into live edge walnut slab dining tables.

A Rare Opportunity for Custom Walnut Dining Tables

When I told my clients about the Sauvie Island tree, they immediately jumped at the chance to bring a piece of Oregon history into their home. These logs were cut into bookmatched sets—two sequential slabs that mirror each other perfectly.

I couldn’t resist getting involved myself and purchased a second set of slabs. That gave me the privilege of building not one but two custom live edge walnut dining tables from this remarkable tree.

Handcrafted Oregon Black Walnut Tables

Both tables showcase the grain, figure, and natural edge that make Oregon black walnut so special. From start to finish, it was about more than just building furniture—it was about honoring the story of the tree and turning it into heirloom pieces that will last for generations.

“Looking for your own custom Oregon walnut dining table? Get in touch and let’s start planning your build.”