For The Love Of Wood

We Support Local Rain Forests

Operating in Elmira, Oregon USA, Unique Woods of the Northwest is a member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

We provide sustainably sourced custom-milled Pacific Northwest Rainforest hardwoods for Luthiers and Fine Furniture Makers around the globe

Our History

– Rod Jacobs, Founder of Unique Woods of the Northwest

Over 45 years ago I cut my first Bigleaf Maple

In those days, Maple and other Hardwoods were in abundance.

Unfortunately, the Hardwoods were considered by timber owners to be nuisance trees without value. Over time, they were systematically poisoned using chemicals which are now illegal for their harmful effects to the waterways and streams where many Hardwoods flourish. There were even tax advantages for eradicating Hardwoods and replanting with Fir trees.

Today, harvesting practices are still inclined toward eliminating Maple, and the oversized logs which yield the highest quality wood are at risk of unavailability. The major Hardwood and pulp mills are recieving far fewer of these logs

At large pulp yards, where trees like the Bigleaf Maple are sent to become paper products, there were once log decks the size of football fields full of oversized Hardwood.

Being high in supply and low in demand, Western Bigleaf Maple was then marketed as a cheaper alternative to East Coast Maple. This attracted the attention of the influential Asian market, as their economy was suffering at this time in the 1980’s.

For decades, I have noted the effects of these practices

To facilitate the milling process of these west coast Hardwoods, Optimizer sawmills were installed, capable of cutting 6″-20″ diameter logs - the typical size of an Alder tree, a more used species than Maple for cabinets and furniture.

The ideal Maple lumber, however, comes from a tree much larger than 20″. As sawmill operators opted for the smaller, easier Maple logs, the lumber developed a reputation of being difficult to work with. The grain was loose and the boards were narrow.

Essentially, they were attempting to make wine from unripened grapes, and then blaming the grape for the bad wine. This led to an even further decline in the value of Bigleaf Maple.

These trees mean something, they have a place in our environment and a place in our lives

Sustainability informs how we source and prepare the finest Northwest hardwoods. Our discerning customers value this commitment to excellence.

Our long mission, while we discover and provide exceptionally processed wood products, is to help preserve, clone and plant the best of the grand trees that are not being replanted. We do this to offer future generations of wood lovers access to the same amazing woods we now use and enjoy.