Good things come to those who wait. It’s a solid rule of thumb for everyday life – but a guiding principle for the crew at Goby Walnut Products in Oregon. In their case, it can take up to four years to create sellable hardwood lumber from the dead and dying trees they selectively harvest.
Of all the species that Goby processes – Bigleaf Maple, Elm, and more – Oregon Black Walnut is the most prized. A cross between Eastern Black Walnut and Claro Walnut, it made its way to Oregon with settlers in the mid-1800s. And it thrived in the fertile Willamette Valley.
Unfortunately, a fungal disease infects some of these trees every year, eventually killing them. Historically, the affected trees would be used as firewood or turned into wood chips. But Goby Walnut specializes in sourcing these dying trees and giving them a second life as premium, heirloom-quality lumber.
Finding the trees is just the start of a multi-year process. Once back at the Goby facility, they’re milled into slabs, cleaned, and stacked for drying. Air drying takes upwards of three years, then they’re kiln-dried for another three to four months. Depending on the need for further processing, the total elapsed time from log arrival to market availability can be four years or more.
Goby Walnut has been providing sustainably sourced hardwood lumber to woodworkers and furniture makers for over 50 years. And, by committing to planting five trees for every one harvested, they’re ensuring the availability of this resource for future generations, too.
The working conditions at Goby can vary, depending on the step in the process. For heavier-duty processes like the outdoor milling and cleaning of new logs, a versatile waterproof work boot like the Targhee Blur works well. Further tasks, such as final surfacing with a CNC router or stocking the sales floor, happen indoors. So, something lighter-duty like the KS86 Utility work sneaker is a great choice. Find these styles and other comfortable, durable work footwear here.
