Live edge furniture keeps the natural outer edge of the tree along one or both sides of the board, instead of cutting it straight. The bark is removed, but the curve of the trunk, the change in colour where heartwood meets sapwood, and often a few knots or small checks stay in place. No two pieces share an outline. What you are buying is the shape of a particular tree, made flat, stable and usable.
Where the edge comes from
A log is sawn along its length into slabs. A board cut from near the centre is wide and shows the full sweep of the grain. On a slab, the outer edge follows the trunk, so it wanders: wider near the base of the tree, narrower toward the crown, with bulges where branches once grew.
The pale band you often see along a live edge is sapwood, the living outer layer of the tree. Heartwood, the darker core, makes up most of the board. On walnut especially, the contrast between the two can be strong. Some people like it as part of the character; others prefer a board with less sapwood. Both are honest choices, and worth deciding before you order.
One slab or several
A single slab wide enough for a dining table comes from a large tree, and those are scarce. Many live edge tables are made from two or three slabs joined along their straight edges, with the live edges facing out. A well-made join is tight and runs with the grain. Ask which you are looking at; neither is better, but they look different.
Why the bark comes off
Bark dries and shrinks at a different rate from the wood beneath it, so over time it loosens, flakes and catches on clothing. It can also hide insects or soft, decaying fibres. Makers usually take it off by hand with a drawknife or chisel, then clean and sand the layer underneath. What remains is the firm surface the bark grew over, with its ripples and folds intact.
Cracks, knots and other natural features
Thick slabs often develop checks, small splits that open at the ends or along the grain as the wood dries. In slab work these are not treated automatically as defects. The concern is whether they will keep moving.
- Butterfly keys (also called bow ties) are shaped inlays set across a check. The grain of the key runs across the crack, and its flared ends lock the two sides together. They are structural, and they are also a long-standing decorative detail.
- Fills of resin or tinted epoxy close small voids and loose knots so the surface is smooth and easy to clean.
- Knots are where branches grew. Sound, tight knots are part of the look. Loose knots should be stabilised.
When you look at a live edge piece, check that any open check has been reinforced and that the top is sealed across its whole surface, including the edge.
Drying matters more with slabs
A slab is thick, and thick wood takes a long time to dry evenly. A common rule of thumb for air-drying hardwood is about a year per inch of thickness, followed by kiln drying. Furniture wood for heated, air-conditioned homes is generally brought to around 6 to 8 percent moisture content.
A slab that is not dry enough will keep shrinking in your home, and may cup, twist or crack. Good slab furniture starts with wood that has spent a long time waiting before anyone cuts it.
How the slab meets the base
Solid wood swells and shrinks across its width as indoor humidity changes through the year. A wide slab may move a quarter of an inch or more. A good base allows for that: the top is fixed firmly at the centre and held by fasteners that can slide a little toward the edges. A top screwed down tightly all round has nowhere to go and is more likely to split.
Choosing a live edge piece
Thickness
Live edge tops are often 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4–6 cm) thick. A thicker top looks more substantial and weighs more. For a dining table, also check the height under the top so chairs still fit.
Edge and width
Because the edge wanders, a live edge top is listed by its widest or average width. Measure your space against the narrowest point too, especially for a console or a shelf.
Where it works
- Dining tables: the edge is where hands rest, so it should be smooth to the touch and well sealed.
- Coffee and console tables: smaller slabs show the outline at eye level as you walk past.
- Wall shelves: the edge faces out, so a single board can carry the whole effect.
- Bathroom vanities: a live edge top works when it is fully sealed and splashes are wiped.
Living with it
Dust the edge with a soft, dry brush or cloth; its folds collect more than a flat surface does. Clean the top as you would any sealed wood: a cloth wrung almost dry, then a dry cloth. Keep the piece out of direct sun and away from heating vents, which dry one side faster than the other.
Expect your piece to differ from the photographs. That is the nature of the material. When we make a live edge piece, we send you photographs of it before finishing, so you see your own board, not a sample.
You can see live edge work across our dining tables, coffee tables and wall shelves. If you have a particular length or outline in mind, tell us about it and we will talk it through with you.