Boards by Joel was started over thirty years ago when Joel was cutting up some birch firewood for his summer cabin. He noticed an unusual pattern in the heartwood of a log. The dark center looked like a bear-paw print, so he cut off a few slices and put them away to dry. He later sanded them and was so captivated by their natural beauty that he decided to leave his profession and pursue a life-long dream, working with wood.

Circular sections of wood have a reputation for cracking, so Joel called the University of Minnesota Forestry department to find out more about this. He was told that it was "impossible to dry cross-cut sections of wood. This could not be done." Joel decided not to take their word for it, and after much experimentation, found a way to slowly cure the wood to prevent cracking. He was able to successfully dry, sand, and finish Ash, Butternut, Maple and Hickory into beautiful and durable boards. After twenty-five years in his family-owned business, Joel passed the business to son-in-law, Tom. 

Still a family-owned business, with Tom doing most of the work himself -- from hauling logs out of the woods to the final sanding and finishing. Boards by Joel is a small business and they intend to remain so, producing only as much as they are able. 

For centuries butchers have demanded end-grain wood in their butcher blocks because it is the most durable surface, which will not dull knives.  These boards come in a variety of woods and offer the same end-grain durability, with several advantages.  These are one piece, just the way nature grew them,  with no glue joints to seperate.  They are sealed with a tough, penetrating, moisture resistant finish, which is safe for food, and which brings out the natural wood grain.  They make great trivets, and will not show moisture rings and stains.    Clean up is done with ordinary soap and water and no oiling or special treatment is needed. 

Boards by joel are cross-grain slices of several varieties of hardwood trees, all of which are native to Minnesota. The Butternut, Hickory, Ash, and Maple trees are harvested from the hills and valleys surrounding Red Wing, Lake City, and Cannon Falls. These trees are then transported to Prior Lake, Minnesota, where they are carefully dried, sanded, and sealed with a satin moisture resistant lacquer finish which is food-safe.

Butternut Oval Board

While butternut is not as well known as its relative, Black Walnut, it has a striking beauty and warmth unsurpassed in a whole-log slice. It is one of our most popular woods, but is becoming rare in Minnesota due to a tree disease. Tom has cured and crafted the healthy trees he finds with extreme care to preserve the beautiful bark and contrasting colors. This tree comes from the woods of southern Minnesota and likes to grow in moist lowlands. While not the hardest of our woods, this board is sealed with a tough, moisture-resistant finish and can be used for most cutting purposes, as well as serving and decorating. Cleanup is done with soap and water and they can be oiled occasionally with cooking or mineral oil.