Sinker Cypress; the accidental treasure

There is a deep root within the world of wood for the Darro Wood family. From William H. Sullivan, who began an aggressive reforestation program in Louisiana in the early 1900s, to Doug Arrowood who apprenticed as a joiner in the heartland of England’s finest furniture making region; the beauty, utility and appeal of this natural marvel is inextricably ingrained. Thus today, the thrill of taking raw slabs and shaping them into beautiful works lives on as we realize your dreams into reality.

Located in the deep south of Louisiana, we are gifted with the best Cypress you can find anywhere. From over 150 years of logging, an unintended byproduct is Sinker Cypress. When Cypress trees were felled in the swamps and floated from one place to another, many of those naturally oil-soaked logs sank, and were irretrievable at the time. Deemed abandoned property, they are hunted by modern day swamp loggers who haul them out of bayou beds and lake bottoms.

Preserved in the golden brown Louisiana waters, over decades, even a century or more, the old growth logs absorbed minerals and tannins from the muddy bottoms, imparting a breathtaking spectrum of rich, enduring colors. It's these colorful logs we seek today to produce truly gorgeous and breathtaking furniture.

The swamps don't give up their treasures easily. Today it's quite an ordeal to just locate these sunken treasures. All of the easy to find logs were taken many years ago. After locating a log, one has to employ a variety of methods to bring them to the surface; not the least of which are raw strength, determination and courage in what can be a hazardous undertaking.

After hauling the old logs from the muddy waters, they are milled into slabs and then dried, both air and kiln, before cabinet and furniture makers create unique pieces for discerning customers.

Whenever possible, we encourage our clients to embrace the natural features of the wood. To actually showcase its one-of-a-kind quality as we bring out the very best characteristics that will be a talking point for everyone who enjoys its natural beauty.

'Pecky' Cypress, so called because it resembles wood that has been "pecked" by birds or tools, is a sought after unique texture caused by a fungal infection in living bald cypress trees. The fungus dies once the tree is harvested, preserving the pattern.

Seen here in the picture to the left, the Pecky Cypress has been filled with black epoxy, and then the counter finished with tabletop epoxy for a kitchen island.

Another feature, as seen in the pictures below, is the live edge of slabs used as the edges of tables, counters and shelves. These distinct edges speak to the time spent submerged, and the effects of slow flowing water and marine life. Most of all, these edges call out with character that attracts the eye and delights the soul.