Texas is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, from the vibrant wildflowers that herald spring to the sprawling trees that dot the landscape. At Hill Country Wood, we believe in working with nature’s gifts to craft unique, one-of-a-kind furniture and décor.
Each piece tells its own story through the rich textures, colors, and patterns of native Texas Hill Country woods. In this blog, we’ll take you through some of the remarkable woods we use and highlight what makes each one special for our woodworking projects.
Bald Cypress: Soft, lightweight, and Durable
Among the cypress species found in Texas, the most recognized is the bald cypress. A member of the Redwood family, this tree thrives in the swamps and along the rivers of East and Central Texas.
The wood of bald cypress exhibits a variety of characteristics, influenced by growing conditions and the tree’s age. Older trees typically display more pronounced grain patterns. Its wood is known for its straight grain and ranges from a medium to coarse texture.
Woodworkers highly value cypress for its ease of workability. It’s relatively lightweight, soft, and cuts cleanly, making it excellent for detailed woodworking or milling. Bald cypress is also naturally resistant to rot and decay, which makes it ideal for outdoor furniture, decks, and other projects exposed to the elements. Additionally, its rich grain and natural reddish-brown hues offer aesthetic appeal, whether used in furniture, cabinetry, or decorative pieces.
Pecan: Strong and Sturdy Elegance
A symbol of Texas pride, Pecan wood stands out for its strength and hardness. This native hardwood is used in projects where durability is a must, such as the epoxy river and cross-sectional tables we create at Hill Country Wood. The wood’s density and shock-resistance make it a favorite for both functional furniture and more artistic designs.
With growth rings that influence its strength, pecan is a versatile material that showcases both beauty and resilience. Its other unique quality? Pecan wood is also used to smoke meats, lending flavor in the same way it adds character to our handcrafted pieces.
Pecky Cypress: Nature’s Organic Canvas
Pecky Cypress is more than just wood—it’s a conversation starter. Known for its distinctive pattern of natural holes and voids caused by the Stereum taxodii fungus, this cypress wood takes on a beautifully weathered look. The natural “peck marks” in the wood give it a unique texture that is prized by woodworkers, designers, and homeowners alike.
Though Pecky Cypress is light to medium brown in color and relatively soft, it is also durable, rot-resistant, and insect-repellent. Due to the aesthetic qualities and patterns of the peck marks, it is a perfect wood ‘canvas’ for creating unique one-of-a-kind projects using different colored epoxies to fill the voids and create a colorful finished artistic surface.
Each piece tells its own story through the rich textures, colors, and patterns of native Texas Hill Country woods.
Live Oak: Strength with Character
Live Oak is another Texas Hill Country staple, often evoking images of grand, ancient trees with sprawling canopies. The dense and durable nature of Live Oak has been relied on for centuries, including its use in constructing the famous “Old Ironsides” ship. Today, we channel that historical strength into pieces of furniture that are both sturdy and timeless.
Although Live Oak’s grain can be coarse and uneven, it finishes beautifully, with tones ranging from light to medium brown. Its ability to take stain well makes it a fantastic choice for custom woodwork that requires flexibility in color and finish.
Mesquite: Resilient and Rustic Beauty
Mesquite wood is as tough as the land it grows on. This short, twisted tree produces a lumber full of personality, with knots, splits, and irregular grain patterns. The heartwood is reddish-brown and darkens over time, lending a sense of maturity and ‘gravitas’ to each piece.
The real beauty of Mesquite lies in its stability. This wood exhibits minimal expansion and contraction, making it ideal for tables and furniture that need to endure environmental changes. Despite its ruggedness, Mesquite remains one of our favorite woods for creating bold, rustic pieces that tell the story of Texas.
Spalted Maple: Art in Wood
Spalted Maple is not just a wood; it’s nature’s artwork. Spalting occurs when a fungus discolors the wood, creating dramatic dark lines and patterns. Though this occurs during the initial stages of decay, the wood is dried to stop further decay, locking in its mesmerizing visuals.
We cherish the uniqueness that Spalted Maple brings to our work. Its lighter sapwood contrasts beautifully with the dark, spalted lines, adding a one-of-a-kind personality to each piece. Soft in comparison to other hardwoods, Spalted Maple is a great choice for detailed, artistic woodworking projects.
black Walnut: Classic and Timeless
Few woods carry the prestige of Walnut. In Texas, Black Walnut thrives in well-drained soils and grows into large, impressive trees. Its heartwood varies from pale brown to rich chocolate brown, with occasional darker streaks.
Known for its straight grain and fine texture, Walnut is a woodworker’s dream. It’s strong, shock-resistant, and has excellent dimensional stability, which is why it’s a top choice for desks, tables, and high-end furniture. With its naturally rich color, Walnut often doesn’t need staining—just a simple finish to bring out its inherent beauty.
Red Cedar: Aromatic and Versatile
Known for its fragrant aroma and striking red hues, Red Cedar—or Aromatic Red Cedar—offers more than just good looks. Its straight grain and fine texture make it a dream to work with, and the warm, reddish-violet tones bring richness to tabletops and décor.
This wood is easy to handle and finishes well, making it a favorite among woodworkers. Whether used for functional furniture or decorative accents, Red Cedar adds a pop of natural beauty to any space.
At Hill Country Wood, every project we create is a collaboration between the wood’s natural characteristics and our craftsmanship. Whether it’s the distinct peck marks in Pecky Cypress or the robust durability of Walnut, each piece tells a unique story shaped by Texas itself.
