Boards by Joel Ash Wood Cutting or Cheese Board

Made from: fallen ash trees from Minnesota

Size: approximately 10 inches

Location: made in Minnesota

About Boards by Joel

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.

Board Facts

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 separate. 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.

Made in Minnesota

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.

Ash Board

These hearty trees are abundant in Minnesota. The light colored wood is tough and hard, and the contrasting annual growth rings make them a favorite of wood-grain lovers. White ash grows in sunny, well-drained uplands, while black ash loves water and rich soil, and can usually be found along rivers and streams. Tom's unique personal crafting has preserved the natural beauty and durability of these end-grain slices. This tough wood is sealed with a moisture-resistant finish and can be used as a cutting board, trivet or coaster. Cleanup is done with soap and water and they can be oiled occasionally with cooking or mineral oil.

We love using these boards as cake plates as well as cheese plates.