These pieces of furniture were salvaged from dying or dead Ash trees. The strange thing here is that man didn't directly kill these ash trees, Agrilus planipennis was the culprit. Commonly known as Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) this beetle native to Asia was discovered in Michigan just six years ago. Within 2-3 years EAB can decimate the water and nutrient carrying vessels of the ash leaving it for dead. How did EAB get to America? Most likely man of course! Some good can come from this tragedy however. At The Morten Arboretum, located near Lisle Illinois, is displaying beautiful furniture pieces made from afflicted ash.
This talented band, called the Chicago Furniture Design Association, exhibit the fine skill of crafting with EAB infested wood. Their work is gorgeous and their efforts of commendable and adaptive.
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The emerald ash bore really tore apart chicago a few years ago, devastating a lot of north shore tree lined suburbs. Something interesting on this subject is that the price of ash lumber really went down. We were doing some production pieces for a private residence and the price of the lumber was just about nothing (the labor to produce single lot furniture is outstandingly expensive though, to the point where the guys making the works of art end up getting paid less than $10 per hour in the end).
Usually though, “wormwood” or wood that has been gnarled through is pretty expensive compared to normal lumber because you can make some really exotic pieces from the wood, especially if you are doing cabinet refacing.
Grade A stuff. I’m unueqstoinalby in your debt.