Mr. Trees

Old Growth Forests...My Recent Walks in Oregon

2012-01-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

Installations of Projects January 2012

2012-01-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

In The Heat of the Night...

2012-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

Just completed...Cherry Burl Mantel anchored to recycled barn beams...Bronx, NY. off the Henry Hudson ... Bottom image....one of the best woodworkers in the New York area, my friend Ken K., crosscutting the beam...Email Joshua for custom designed work for your pied-a-terre in NYC... with recycled and environmentally friendly woods from our Woods to your home....joshuastrees@gmail.com.... See us at the GreenFlea,West 77th Street and Columbus Avenue, Sundays, weather permitting in January for the biggest selection of trees in any market in Manhattan...

The Heat is On...

2012-01-04T11:36:00.000-08:00

Radiator Covers designed, built, and installed by JoshuasTrees January 2012 in Manhattan residence.

All wood is recycled antique oak, cherry, figured maple, and walnut. The designed unit is free standing,

and allows for the circulation of heat. No stain but Tung Oil finish on the outside only.

Call for quote on custom design and installation.

Tree Slices and Ovals

2011-10-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I pulled out my Husky and in answer to an inquiry produced some real nice ovals and slices for table tops...inquiries at Joshuastrees@gmail.com

Cadu Pottery and Candomble

2011-10-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Cadu was the spiritual mother to her village in Bahia, Brazil...she practiced Candomble (Bahian voodoo) and made traditional earthenware bowls and casseroles of exceptional rarity and beauty. Using river clay, Cadu shaped the bowl by hand while seated on the floor and using a flat stone as her base...she rowed across the river and climbed a hill where she found the decorative red clay used to line the bowl's interior...the finished bowls were stacked face down on a bed of hay and fired in the ope..this process caused the burn marks that characterize these pieces...the work is available at Joshuastrees and was collected in the early 1980's.

XAVIER'S CERAMIC FIGURES

2011-10-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

The ceramic figures created by Xavier (Bahia, Brazil) are made in a traditional manner--shaped from river mud, baked over a small wood fire, and painted by hand. Xavier's obsession with Exu (a crossroads deity of the Candomble religious hierarchy capable of great mischief and widely miscast as our devil), is viewed as a legacy of his parents, reputed to have been powerful Candomble priests. Xavier's production consists of Exu figures of varying sizes, idiosyncratic animal figures, and peculiar portraits of white culture.

The collection was amassed in the 1980's and is now available from JoshuasTrees. Requests for information and pricing Joshuastrees@gmail.com

Louco

2011-10-05T14:59:00.000-07:00

A barber-turned sculptor, Bonaventura da Silva Filho became affectionately known as Louco or "madman" when, in the mid-1960's, he turned from shaving heads to shaping clay pipes and carving wood figures. Louco sold his wood sculptures at Salvador's Mercado Modelo where they were noticed by the cultural elite of the city induding Jorge Amado and Mario Cravo, who helped bring Louco's work to national and eventually international attention. Louco's wood carvings were included in many prominent, international exhibitions before he died in 1992. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Louco became recognized as a "master' incachoeira and passed on his knowledge and skills to many, including his late brother, Malouco; his son, Celestino; and nephews, Doidao and Mario Filho do Louco....from Wikepedia.....Sundays, on a rotating basis, JoshuasTrees will be exhibiting and selling selected works at the Green Flea Market....more info from joshuastrees@gmail.com

Most Asked ???? at The Green Flea Market

2011-10-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

Answers to Questions from Green Flea Customers:

1. Q. Are you at the Market every Sunday. A. Yes, every Sunday 10-6 weather permitting and Saturdays when the Market opens for the Christmas Holiday season.

2. Q. Do you deliver your blocks, wood, and furniture? A. Yes, logistics are a big issue when purchasing from Joshua's Trees. It is made clear in the initial discussion that "walk-ups to 5th floors with large flitches are logistically difficult, if not impossible and costly. We will deliver for a charge and request in most cases that the customer meet us at the ground floor, with help or a cart provided by the building management, or a combination thereof...all are subject to negotiation at the onset of the order, particularly if the table has to be installed in sections due to door size, limitations of turning space on landings, or due to management and union building rules.

3. Q. When do you deliver? A. On days when access is easiest, usually on a Sunday morning early after we set up at the market. We don't do timed deliveries but will set a window of 1-2 hours when we can meet the client or building maintenance staff.

4. Q. Do you accept returns of your products? A. No. We will stand by what we make, but will not accept exchanges and all custom orders are non-refundable.

5. Q. Do you provide drawings, samples, and a contract? A. Yes, with a deposit. We dopn't start our work without approved drawings, finished samples (signed off), and a contract of what we agree to do. Change orders by the customer are extra and will be negotiated at the time of the change.

6. Q. Will you be on time with your construction? A. Yes, providing the "back and forth" between the client and Joshua is at a minimum and there is not a lag when design questions take days and weeks to get a decision.

7. Q. Can we select our wood for our project without going to your warehouse A. Yes. We will be happy to bring the material to the Market when we have a confirmed order as a courtesy to the customer as part of our service.

8. Q. Do you use environmentally correct and recycled wood? A. Yes. Our wood(s) are not certified by any organization but have been sustainably harvested and reclaimed since the opening
of our business 30 years ago. Correctness with the environment is a broad attitude that is reflected in how we conduct ourselves with the total environment and our customers. We have always planted as many trees as we have milled. In recent years most of these trees have been from storm damage and road clearing projects which reflect all of the qualities about the environment which are positive, sustainable, and design sensitive.

9. Q. Who are your customers? A. We have been involved through the years with clients at all levels...corporate, institutional, residential, and have been focusing for the last year in fulfilling the needs of individuals on the Upper West and East Sides of New York City.

10. Q. Do you have a web site? A. Joshua's trees can be viewed at Blogger. Joshuastrees.blogspot.com Our twitter account is MisterTrees. And our email is Joshuastrees@gmail.com Please direct all inquiries to Joshua Hoffman. He will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Notes from the Green Flea Sept/Oct 2011

2011-10-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

Showroom Location: 77th and Columbus Avenue, NYC (across from the Museum of Natural History)
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm Sundays year round

Sunday morning starts in Pawling, New York at 4:30 am as I fall out of bed and try and make coffee for my morning drive to Manhattan. Sixty miles later the first joggers appear along the Hudson River Parkway as I enter the city with the myriad of police cruisers, blocked roadways, and detours announcing one of the 600 street fairs that may be happening somewhere in the metropolitan area. At seven am I join the line of vans, cars, and trucks parked on the south side of the Museum of Natural History, loaded with an assortment of the days produce, antiques, art, furniture, bric-a-brac and crafts waiting to enter one of New York cities oldest and most eclectic flea markets. The first dog walkers, joggers, and returning party goers nod to me as they pass "Starbucks" in hand while I stretch and do yoga between park benches...details of a days work will be described in words and images in future blog posts. Today my focus is to give a visual description of inventory and pricing for the large variety of items I have offered in the last several week at the Green Flea Market. Answers to general questions and inquiries from the first four weeks about wood and wood products will be addressed in the next several blogs...Details and inquiries about rough wood, millwork, finishing, and furniture design and installation will be considered with detailed visual images. Specific inquiries will be answered at Joshuastrees@gmail.com

Image #1 Harvested Wild Flowers from my farm in Stephentown, New York

Background. Left to Right. 1. Cottonwood Table top (unfinished) 2. Relief Carving Brazil (details on Request. 3. Walnut Table Tops (unfinished) 4. Spalted Maple Table Top (unfinished)

Image #2 Far left top to Right. 1. Antique Tibetan Butter Churn 2. Center Right. Center hand turned vase (unpainted) 3. Antique Chines Restaurant Bench 4. Decorated Vase with Wildflowers (Brazil) Center Left to Right. 5. Maple Table with Curly English Walnut Top 6. Javier naive Brazilian hand painted figurines (details on request)

Image #4 Brazilian primitives circa 1982-86. Left to Right. 1. Bull vase 2. Bull vase. 3. Urn . Painted vase 5. Plates Foreground. 1. Painted Welcome sign by Joshua Hoffman 2. Depression

Hammered Metal Serving dish

Image #5 Brazilian primitives. 1. Jack Wood Table with Carvings on sides (x frame legs) refurbished by Joshuas Trees 2. Rt. Fish plate (un painted) 3. Carved Mango animal bowl Buano Faso (Lt.)

Image #6 Painted Bull

Image #7 Painted Chicken Bowl 2. Painted Armadilla 3. Painted Frog

Image #8 Painted Fish Plate

Image #9 Painted Frogs

Image #10 Carved Family Relief 1982 (Artist Chron/History available on Request 36 works in collection at Joshuas Trees

Image #11 Brazilian Wood Sculptures and Reliefs.

More to Follow.....

Tide, Trash, Rocks, and Wood

2011-08-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

A New Day

2011-07-21T04:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the blog of Joshuas Trees.....

Provincetown Ma. Historic Residence

2011-07-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

I recently completed an extension to a counter using 50 year old Birdseye Maple. The legs are Ambrosia Maple which echo the pattern of bamboo viewed through the rear window. My work and wood can be seen Saturday/Sunday's at the Wellfleet Flea Market on Cape Cod in the Antique and Art Section of the Historic Outdoor Movie Theatre Parking lot during the months of July and August.

Cherry Table and Counter Top, Residential commissions 2011

2011-07-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Cherry Counter Top, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, July 2011

Cherry Table with Walnut base designed with client and fabricated by JoshuasTrees

Recently installed Cherry table at a private residence South Egremont, Massachusetts.

Installation North Truro Hi International Hostel

2011-07-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

The following are images of a temporary installation of seating at the Hi hostel in Truro Ma., on the Cape Cod National Seashore..... and a protective terrarium of planted material not indigenous to the Cape Cod environment ....a sculpture garden on the Hyannis Ma. hostel grounds is in the construction phase and will be the subject of the next visual presentation...

Green Flea Inventory Jan-April 2011

2011-04-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

The images that follow show some of my recently displayed inventory at the GreenFlea "Market" in and outdoors....

Outdoors Sunday April 4th. Background. Horse Chestnut plinthes. Mid-ground Left to Right. Spalted Maple Ovals. Rt. Walnut Burl slabs. Front. Cherry Burl. Slices. Left side. Ambrosia Maple turnings. Rt. Side Ambrosia Maple Turned Pedestal.

Showroom Left to Right. Walnut Benches. Walnut two piece glue up.

Walnut Three piece glue up with finish samples

Showroom Left to Right. Deco lamps on Turned Ambrosia Maple Bases. Inlayed Chines carving on Ash Plank. Deco Light Fixture on Cherry Burl Base. Deco Light fixture on Oak Base. Deco Fixture on Turned Ambrosia Maple Cylinder.

Walnut Burl Table tops....

Green Flea Showroom Matched Walnut Slabs....

GreenFlea Showroom Walnut plinthes for tables in progress...approx. 2 1/4"x 30" x 9'
Background Lt. Horse Chestnut Background Rt. Red Cedar flitches Foreground Cluster Maple Burl Base....art books...
Rt.Side. Walnut plinthes for tabletops. Center. Maple Fence Burlwood.

Background. Horse Chestnut Mid-ground. Oak, Mahogany, Horse Chestnut blocks. Foreground.Rt.Side. Maple Burlwood.

A list of some of the Market clients in 2010 includes. Nancy Weiner Gallery, Susan Martin, Archivist, Cara Boyle, Lawyer, Masa, Chef Masa Bar.......Images of some of the finished projects can be viewed on the March 2011 blogs. A list of commercial projects and clients can be viewed in previous blogs and in publications such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Interior Design Magazines...fabrication in previous years include the architectural firms of Tony Chi, David Rockwell, and S.O.M...images can be emailed on request or viewed in my portfolio at the market.... I can be reached at joshuastrees@gmail.com

Lawyer's Office Manhattan Midtown across from UN

2011-03-30T06:00:00.001-07:00

I just finished and delivered a simple, walnut table 2 1/4"x40"x84" for an attorney with a unique, unfettered, wood sensibility. Together, we designed a "Nakishima" style table with flitches from the opposite sides of a walnut log cut and dried last fall. The table floats on four glued legs, limbs of the same tree..."Joshua. It is simply gorgeous and I love it. Everyone keeps stopping by to ooh and ahh about it. You were a pleasure to work with. Thanks again for such a terrific piece of artistry...."

Recently Completed Projects Upper West Side New York

2011-03-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

The two benches and table top were created from a matching set of Walnut flitches. The top is a three piece glue up and sits on an imported stone base. The tree and stone were selected by the owner the renowned Chef Masa for his residence in Upper Manhattan. The furniture was designed by the Chef in collaboration with Joshua Hoffman and the furniture built and finished by Joshua's Trees during the winter of 2011.

JoshuasTrees Showroom GreenFlea Market, Columbus Ave. and 77th Street Open Sundays 10-5 pm.

2011-01-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

New Designs from Joshuas Trees.....Vintage Lamps on turned bases and burls Winter 2011.

Walnut Coffee Table Size slabs.

Center Three Piece Matched Walnut Dining Table Glueup

Walnut slabs Background.

Lamp and Shade Detail.

Foreground. JoshuasTrees bagged kindling.

Curly Maple Platter. Walnut Samples. Ebony Lady Sculpture

Project book. View of lamps from back of Walnut top 2 x 41 x 9ft.

Right side. Ebony Lady, 1972. Joshua Hoffman Walnut,Ebony,Padauk.

$3500.00

Walnut plinthe 2 x 14 x 9 ft. Unfinished. One live edge $500.00

Right. Matching Walnut plinthe 2 x 14 x 9 ft.

Center. Curly Maple Platter. $150.00

Background Chinese Carvings on Elm Plinthe. $300.00

Left to Right. Horse Chestnut Block 10 x 10 x18" with white paint and satin urethane finish. $150.00

Vintage Light Fixture with Ambrosia Lamp Base. $300.00

Vintage Chrome Light Fixture on Cherry Burl base. $225.00

Vintage Bronzed Light Fixture on Antique White Oak Base. $300.00

Vintage Bronzed Light Fixture on Maple Cylinder Base. $300.00

Background. Chinese Carvings on Antique American Elm Plinthe. $300.00

Nedem Bozkurt, Vintage glass and lamps, Lamp Design and Fabrication

Douglas Hall, Woodturner

Joshua Hoffman, Furniture Design, Sculptural Woodworking and Fabrication

Winter in Stephentown, New York

2011-01-02T14:40:00.001-08:00

Besides wood....snow has been on my agenda....particularly the snows that accumulate in the State Park next to my property in Stephentown. On a recent afternoon, I took some images of a two hour late afternoon ski tour of Cherry Plain State Park and pond, a CCC thirties work project....invigorating....

Year in Review, Console and Blocks

2010-12-29T08:41:00.001-08:00

The New Year for me is always a time of reflection and planning. As a way of the introducing 2011, I will bring to the blog some of the work and direction I have taken in 2010....During the next several weeks I will be publishing images of the year past....I will start by showing some of the custom block/pedestals fabricated this past year....Walnut, the "Flavor of the Month" is also featured in a custom console made for one of my clients....with the new year, I am trying to finish several table projects, starting two new commissions, creating some rustic lamps with the blocks and recycled Deco lamp parts, re-visiting some of my old sculpture work and combining antique Chinese architectural elements into collaged furniture with funky wood...its a challenge I'm looking forward to...jump on the "Love Train"....I look forward to sharing with you in the months to come...

Walking in the Woods and...

2010-11-30T03:09:00.001-08:00

Another view of the same spalted coffee table....

It's been awhile since I have published on my blog. I have been spending quite a bit of time in the woods trying to balance my schedule between the GreenFlea in NYC and my custom projects in Stephentown...after a quite, contemplative walk...its back to the shop to floor sand some flitches for a new table project.....and roughing out a spalted burl for a coffee table....

Sunrise to Sunset,Ongoing Projects JoshuasTrees, Summer/Fall 20100

2010-09-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have been doing lots of driving this past 12 weeks....5 trips back and forth to Cape Cod, flea marketing at the GreenFlea, New York City....Wellfleet, Mass....while continuing my ongoing projects in a friend's shop, BurltreeDougWoodworks, Sharon Springs, New York. The days have been blending into one another, but one thing has been a constant....amazing sunrises in all of the places. .. I have added a new market on Saturdays in New York City, The Hester Street Fair, a funky, open air gathering on what was and is the historic lower East Side Push Cart district...My wood is also being featured in Wellfleet, Mass showroom on Route 6(next to the Dunkin' Donuts}.... by my good friend, Richard Jacobson, of Round Cove Woodworks, Truro, Mass....Sundays, remain the same...W6 or W7, 77th and Columbus Avenue, NYC. at the GreenFlea....

I just purchased some gorgeous Cherry Slabs for a table being designed as we speak. The base will be two 12x12x28" blocks of poplar with the bookmatched top seemingly, floating in the dining room space.

This is a recently completed top of two unmatched slabs of Walnut from the inventory of Olde Good Things who commissioned a prototype for sale at the GreenFlea.

Another 2"x30"x11" Walnut slab just arrived from the kiln that will become part of a matched set of two benches and a "Nakishima" style dining table...

Another view of matched Cherry flitches for a dining table....inventory of which can be seen weekly at the GreenFlea, NYC

A recently sold Walnut slab used as a photo prop...I service the trade with all kinds of funky wood "stuff".....

A Walnut stained figured Maple top that will sit on two bronze curved sheets in a pied-a-terre on the Upper West Side of Manhattan...in progress...

Another "Nakishima" style desk being constructed with some fifty year old Walnut from Wisconsin I trucked to NYC in the early 1980's....

The underside of the Walnut slab has some Butternut lumber filling out what was once a mortised section for the base....

Another view of the same....

The projects continue....more later....thanks.....joshua

BLOCKS AND PEDESTALS FALL 2010

2010-09-08T14:18:00.001-07:00

GREENFLEA INVENTORY FALL 2010

WALL.....RED CEDAR SLABS

MIRROR FRAMES....BURLWOOD

WALNUT TABLETOP

CHERRY BURL PEDESTAL

WALNUT BLOCKS...SOLD 9/7

HORSE CHESTNUT BLOCKS....call for pricing or stop by W6 on any given Sunday 76th and Columbus Avenue....

I DO CUSTOM sizes on blocks, shelves, tabletops and more... 845 249 9349 518 733 6483 joshuastrees@gmail.com

Fall 2010 Inventory

2010-09-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

Available at the GreenFleamarket, NYC on Sundays this fall.... in Stephentown and Sharon Springs, New York for inspection... by appointment....NEW LOCATION ON CAPE COD IN SOUTH WELLFLEET...call for specifics...directions.....

LOCALLY HARVESTED WITHIN 200 MILES....WALNUT, HORSE CHESTNUT, CHERRY.....and more....joshuastrees@gmail.com 845 249 9349 518 733 6483 Ask for MISTERTREES ....see us on Facebook and Twitter...MisterTrees or JOSHUA HOFFMAN...

July 4th 2010 Blog to Web

2010-07-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

The image of the sun setting over the trees in the local state park next to my property pretty much says it all about my days and nights during the last year and half....continuous....hard work, lots of labor intensive projects, customers who are tight on the details and tighter on what they are willing to spend on furniture that three years ago brought in four and five times the current value. The glass is not half empty. I would consider it half full. If you follow the trajectory of these clouds, hopefully, better days are ahead, for the economy, environment, and anything and everything specific and general. This blog, a storyboard in the works, over the next few installments, is my new website in the making.

The circle of the setting sun has me thinking about a semi-circular project completed two summers ago at this time with a huge radius as you can see. A piece of Bubinga 40" wide and 13' foot long cantilevered off a circular wall, supported by three small shelving units. The floor is recycled chestnut from old beams.

Another one, a year later started with two large three inch matched dark walnut slabs, slightly slip matched when glued...then and now the flavor of the month The magic length at that time was thirteen feet...everything had to be that length. The architect of record for that fabrication was Tony Chi, Associates. The job. Park Hyatt, Washington, D.C. a project I had worked on and off for a couple of years.
My fondness for wood design with an oriental flavor returns to an earlier relationship with many woodworkers of Japanese descent, who I have had an ongoing relationship for many years...well before I curated a large Japanese Woodworking exhibition in America show at the Woodworkers Store in South Norwalk, Conn., closed years ago. As the supplier on this particular job I was back and forth with my good friend Maro Yasuda, a highly skilled woodworker and designer who has been working in New York City for years....lots of white ash solid and plywood on this residential job, hand picked and matched to Maro's delight.
Then there are the tables....twenty two of them for my good friend Bob Townley, of Manhattan Youth. My connection to Bob dates back to my early years in lower Manhattan, working in the gardens on Bob's Pier as a bench maker, garden supplier, and "weeder" par excellence. Bob and a strong circle of the politicos in lower Manhattan after 9/11 had the vision and fortitude to connect to the money trail and create a Community Center for lower Manhattan youth in the shadows of the fallen twin towers. I was asked to design and build under Bob's auspices art room tables that used some of the left over wood, primarily white oak from the decking of the Tribeca Bridge....having been the supplier of that material years before.

I miss the big commercial projects. The residential work is fulfilling, but requires a constant back and forth with the client, both wife and husband, who usually have a tough time deciding on dinner, let alone a piece of furniture. For awhile the rustic redwood look seemed to be taking hold, but that market seems to be dying due to the China/Thai rustique furniture that is becoming more available here in the boutiques. Natural edge remains the norm as pictured in this shelving unit, the plinthes of which we supplied in Blanc de Chine, a New York boutique on 5th Avenue.

Another detail from the Park Hyatt of the Walnut reception desks.
The gluing up of these panels was the usual hands on project of three very skilled men who I have been working with for years.

To be continued....

BEEN AWAY AWHILE

2010-05-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

Since last November, with a break for the winter holidays and weather I have been exhibiting my wood and craft products in Manhattan at the GreenFlea on the Upper West Side. In between my current events have included Rotator Cuff Surgery on my right shoulder and two procedures to remove a pin from my foot...picked up from loose sewing pin that found its way into my sock and foot from my daughter's prom dress sewing extravaganza. She looked great, enjoyed the prom, and has moved on. I have taken on a few small furniture commissions, am producing the drawings at present, trying to "pin" down the furniture details, and am looking for a place to put all of the different requests, inquiries, and personalities I encounter weekly in the city. The sewing pin is in a trajectory upward and out of the foot hopefully by itself, with mild fatigue. The wood stories continue with each additional encounter and will be updated in the next several days as I find time and a place for them in the Mister Trees wood chronology. Thanks for following me and check in a day or two for more... joshua

GreenFlea Notes March 28th

2010-03-29T06:51:00.000-07:00

Reception Desk Park Hyatt Tony Chi Architects

Good Morning All...returned early from the Green Flea yesterday due to the nasty weather. If I missed anybody late in the day, I will be back next Sunday, bright and early. To those of you who had inquiries after listening to all of my "stories" about wood and what we do, I am posting a few images of furniture I have either designed and built or fabricated from a clients plan. Any questions? Send me an email and I will be happy to discuss your project(s) and look forward to seeing you next Sunday....same place, hopefully, warmer weather. thanks. Joshua

Blanc de Chine main Floor S.Russel Groves, Architects

Myrtlewood Stools

Pommelle Dining Table

Walnut Bench with Ebony legs

Mahogany End Table

Maple Burl Table

Oak Pedestals and Blocks-Natural

Oak and Walnut Blocks-Natural

Stained and Ebonized Blocks

Questions??????????Joshuastrees@gmail.com

Good Morning Green Flea

2010-03-22T11:23:00.001-07:00

Hello.....to my old friends, neighbors, and new clients at the oldest, most unusual flea assemblage in NYC. Our day began before sunrise...upstate in Pawling, arm in a sling, pick-up loaded with blocks and wood(s) as we began our descent to never-never land behind the American Museum of Natural History. This time we almost didn't make it, being delayed by the closing of the west side highway at 79th for an "event". With three minutes to spare, after lots of help, we setup our booth and began the long day of talking, enjoying the spring sun, and eating the local delicacies...and yes, of course, trying to sell our products.

In response to some of your inquiries, I am posting a few our recently finished projects that may visually answer some of your questions about who we are and what we do...a few short blogs will follow with more images and hopefully, our new and exciting web site will be up and running this spring to answer all of your questions about JoshuasTrees.

Redwood shelf

Art tables of Wood left over from the Tribeca Bridge project for Manhattan Youth Center.

Kitchen Installation.Wood Moldings, Stone, Plywood.

Desk

Green Flea 2009

Questions???? Checkout the archives for some more "good wood things" or email me at: Joshuastrees@gmail.com

See You Next Week at the Green Flea Booth 14

Projects from the "GreenFlea" marketplace...Console

2010-02-21T04:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Joshua- Just a quick note to let you know that we are absolutely loving the console-it is a beautiful piece. Thank you so much for all the thought and attention that you gave to its design and construction. I am sure we will see you at the Flea Market when the weather improves. In the meantime, thank you again...with permission from private collector, NYC.

Walnut and Ebonized White Oak 2"x 17" x 37"h

Joshuastrees@gmail.com for more details....

been around this BLOCK before....

2010-02-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

March 1, 2010 finds me fumbling at the computer, my right arm in a sling after four pins have been inserted in my shoulder...a fifth piece of string re-attaching the drooping muscle in the back of the shoulder. Dr. Thompson who seems to perform miracles on Boomers like myself has also re-shaped my bicep and eliminated all of the bone spurs in the joint...all in 2 1/2 hours of surgery. This time around I have started the rotational/gravitational exercises the first day after surgery and am walking and biking to clear my mind and reset myself for the next 10 years of my life. It appears I have been handling too many heavy oak blocks and over taxed the muscles and joints....clearly the direct result of my chain saw addiction...and the "Y" chromosome continuing to dictate my behavior...now for the good news. In preparation, for this short, intense recuperation and the re-opening of the "Green Flea" I have prepared some new inventory...

Ebonized Poplar and Oak

Blocks 12 x12 x18"

White Oak Blocks (natural with heart checking)

12 x 12 x18"

Ebonized Maple Cylinders 12 x 18"

Walnut Blocks 12 x 12 x 18"

Oak Block 14 x 14 x 18 with heart center for uniform splitting

Oak Block 14 x 14 x 18" with Jacobean stain.

Blocks as sculpture pedestals.

Ebonized Oak 6 x 12 x 40" for console legs.

Walnut console and blocks.

Info at Joshuastrees@gmail.com.

Ray and Kevin...B.Cassidy and Sundance..."Wood Chips Keep-a-Felling"

2010-02-16T07:52:00.000-08:00

Every night I watch the nightly news on MSNBC and have been following the segment "People Who Make a Difference" in the world. On a scale of 10, my world is a minus 3, considering the problems and contributions needed at present to make the planet earth a better place to live. But I must say that the unsung and much maligned people of the "wood biz" are the salesmen who day in and day out answer inquiries and try to satisfy the demands and expectations of those who buy and consume wood products. Ray Wimbert, who I met 14 years ago, after a long career selling commoditiy woods in New York City moved with his young family to the burbs and became a salesman at a large wood retailer in Westchester County. I have watched Ray mature into one of the better salesmen of specialty hardwoods in the northeast. He is a "hands-on-press-the-flesh" kind of guy, who always has a smile...under that moustache of his. A couple of weeks ago he came to the warehouse with Kevin, my trucking buddy who is the funniest, brightest, high school graduate I have ever met....Kevin, in my estimation could go one-for-one with Bill Clinton in telling stories while making you laugh and cry at the same time. The following few images give you some idea of their morning purchasing wood at my tiny warehouse, crammed with goodies up in Rennsalaer County, New York.

Ray tiptoeing thru the tulips.

Ray directing Kevin to get that chunk of Spalted,Curly Maple in the corner... near the pile of skunk droppings...unwelcome visitors that return every fall...

Kevin trying to sneak out with a cherry burl.

Ray with another pile of oddities.

Kevin trying to figure out why my wood stove doesn't work...Come on Butch you can do it. Even if the wood is dead green.

Success?

Kevin and Ray negotiating a 3 1/2"x 54" x 109" piece of water cured Redwood Burl.

Kevin doesn't like my Bobcat...it must be the Y chromosone working here...

Thanks for the order, guys. I always enjoy working with you. Keep up the good work(s). Keep on trucking Kevin.... Ray can be reached at 914 946 4111 Mon-Fri. There is lots of wood left in the warehouse for the rest of you guys.

Wood and Glass...Jan Lee, Sinotique and Kanik Chung

2010-01-31T06:12:00.000-08:00

It's been ages since I have seen Jan Lee and his wonderful showroom in New York City. Jan is an accomplished designer, prolific collector of all things old and historic from Southeast Asia, and a community organizer in lower Manhattan. His collection of wood has no equal and is housed in a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York. Several weeks ago I had the opportunity of catching up with him when he called about a project that required some Walnut for a sustainable project he was commissioned to design and build in Manhattan. Since I wanted to re-connect with Jan we decided on a Sunday morning when traffic would be minimal, parking not a problem, and Jan free from his current activities working with Community Board 1... too talk about what we have shared in common for years...a passion for all things wood.

Jan and Joshua stand in front of a "monster" piece of Teak salvaged from a river in the "Golden Triangle" years ago. The monolith sits in front of a mirror made by Brooklyn glass artist Kanik Chung, who shares the showroom and workspace with Jan. The mirror from the Mondrian series created by Kanik is available for sale and reproduction from the artist.

Jan an understated raconteur of his adventures overseas and in the States with wood "dealers" has some amazing burls, roots, and tree stumps...each of which speaks to the history of the area from which it has come. In all cases, authenticated and in many cases harvested sustainably from river beds and streams.

Jan and Kanik have been working together for a long time and are seen discussing a current project of glass and wood, a maquette of which will become a full-sized fixture in a loft/condominium facing the Statue of Liberty in Lower Manhattan.

A Bubinga table with simple understated legs that let the wood top speak for itself. The sconces are from a series of table lights designed by Kanik.

Two bookmatched Walnut plinthes from a log supplied by JoshuasTrees. Raw, unfinished Oak and Walnut blocks set ready to be treated with protective chemicals and made into the signature Sinotique end tables...supplied by MisterTrees as well.

Funny you should ask??? As we were off-loading the Walnut a DEC police officer was on his daily round inspecting the Brooklyn Waterfront and the adjacent Con Edison facilities. We all had a pleasant laugh as he waved at us and commented how beautiful the wood was...really, not a Joshua wood "story" guys.(lol)

Two Oak blocks being prepared with finish after being milled by BurlTreeDoug and finished by Joshua.

Figured Walnut 12x12x17" available from Joshuastrees.

Walnut and Oak 12x12 beams await the chain saw. See Blog on BurlTreeDoug for images of the process.

Jan Lee's Bubinga table awaits placement in the showroom alongside the work's of his sister an accomplished painter to be hung in the Sinotique Gallery.

Requests for more information about Jan Lee and Kanik Chung should be made in writing to Joshuastrees@gmail.com. Jan Lee and Kanik Chung are available for commissions and sales of their product(s) direct.

BurlTreeDoug...Doug Hall,woodworker

2010-01-15T05:12:00.000-08:00

After more then two years I took the time to visit my friend Doug Hall out in his Sharon, New York shop, upstate. Doug proudly showed off the table he built from a Redwood flitch he purchased from me several years ago...overwhelming to say the least. The table is surrounded by chairs made by our friend Barry Gregson, the legendary "rustic" builder. These two images tell their own story.

Doug, a builder in all traditions captures the flavor of this Maple Burl in a handcarved/turned piece that he enjoys doing as a break from his daytime job as a metal engineer/testor for an international firm based in Albany, New York.

Doug helped me square up two14x14x14 green white oak blocks that have become a standard product in the Joshuastrees inventory. The bandsaw, like his other tools are relics of another age, they do a job that new machinery can't. The machine is as good as the woodworker using it... Tolerances that I accept of 1/16" make Doug uneasy. He's relentless and more exacting then I could ever be. Right on, Doug.

A Walnut plinthe joined on one face with some 6x12x36" white oak legs that will become a console in a New York City apartment in a couple of weeks. The Walnut has extraodinary figure and color and will float on top of the White oak legs.

Cross-cutting the White Oak after spraying the table surface with a "Pam" like coating for easier movement of the heavy, wet, wood.

Doug thinking about the next leg before pushing it through the jointer

The Walnut plank being joined on one face. The other edge will be live,and natural.

More information about Doug and his work can be obtained from Joshuastrees@gmail.com. I welcome your inquiries.

Walnut 2010 Projects in Process

2010-01-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

2010 has jump-started with a number of inquiries and orders for small, residential furniture projects in New York City. Dark wood is the flavor of the month. The clients also are very knowledgable about wood and specify using character, figured Walnut that is colorful and with lots of "cracks". They are also very hands-on and want to be involved in the process. The following images of Eastern American Walnut depict the inventory I am using. I will update you with images and descriptions of the works' progress in the next several blogs.

Walnut matching plinthes sanded 80 grit with orbital floor sander.

Detail with oil.

Crotch Figure from one of the matching 8/4 plinthes.

Walnut 12x12x8' beam to be milled into blocks for pedestals.

Inquiries should be directed to Joshuastrees@gmail.com or 518 733 6483.

NEW YEARS STATEMENT FROM JOSHUAS TREES

2010-01-12T03:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Joshuas Trees has long recognized the importance of environmental concerns.

Projects date back 25 years from supplying the Central Park Conservancy with trees for Belvedere Castle's Educational Center, to being ongoing supplier of materials for the Park's playgrounds and retaining walls.

As supplier of Oak for the Tribeca Bridge, Sculptural seating at Battery Park City, and tables for Manhattan Youth's classrooms, our committment to sustainable and responsible use of wood is well established and consistent.

We are committed to practises of organizations like the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and utilizing SSC Certified suppliers when realistic, as in the case for our domestic Walnut products.

Recent Green Projects include bids for Public Space amenities ranging from Tribeca rooftops, Philadelphia's Morris Arboretum and the recently completed project at the Troutmen Complex, Brooklyn, New York.

On a more personal and proactive level Joshuas Trees has, since 1984, worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Rennsalaer County Soil and Water Service, and the US Department of Agriculture in providing responsible stewartship in managing 25 acres of forest land in upstate New York.

We look forward to working with you on your unique projects and wish you all a very Happy New Year. Joshua Hoffman

Holiday Images 2009

2009-11-30T03:44:00.000-08:00

Ended my day at the GreenFlea on Columbus Avenue thinking about the Holidays. These are some of the images that came to mind...

NEW INVENTORY FALL/WINTER 2009-2010

2009-10-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

Fall inventory list to be forthcoming in the next several days....

A section from the oldest Cedar in Conn. to be made into lumber this fall...the tree was harvested due to storm damage

I am thinking about how I want to mill this 74" diameter Sycamore stump.

THE WORLDS LARGEST BURL SALE AT THE WORLDS LARGEST GARAGE SALE

2009-09-23T03:08:00.001-07:00

Arriving in Castorland, anticipating Burl milling day...

Some of Josh's "stash" waiting to be milled....

Bookmatched Redwood burls in Coffee table sizes...

Milling a Cherry burl....

OCTOBER 2,3,4, WARRENSBURG, NY BEHIND THE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 3847 MAIN STREET....THE WORLD'S LARGEST BURL SALE and the only wood deals at the the World's Largest Garage Sale...

Blue Mountain Lake September 2009 Inventory Sale Thursday September 17th-Saturday 19th

2009-09-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

The following images are a selection of the Inventory which will be "on hand" and "for sale" at a 50% reduction in cost for the duration of the Blue Mountain Lake Antiques Street Bazaar. Our booth will be located at the intersection of Routes 28 and 30 across from the former Potter Resorts. Look forward to seeing you there.

Redwood Burlwood 6"x 66" diameter

Redwood Burl 3 1/2"x36" x 109"

Cherry Burls

Cherry "doggie bone" slabs 5/4

Big Leaf Maple Burl Bases

Cherry Burls "turning stock"

2" Cherry Matched flitches

Walnut Burlwood

Buckeye Burl

Cedar Bases

Veneer Shorts

Myrtlewood

City Living New York Newsday November 5,1987

2009-08-28T04:45:00.000-07:00

I have been digging through some of my old press clippings and thought this may be of interest...given the Rustic Weekend is upcoming at Blue Mountain Lake, Labor Day Weekend.

Back to the Woods by Avery Hunt New York Newsday

Obviously, all wooden furniture derives from trees, and most people could truthfully say they have trees in their living room and more trees in their den. But while traditional pieces emphasize the warmth and grain of wood, there is a funkier sort of furniture being made these days that celebrates the organic form of the tree--its branches, its trunk, its cluster of tapering roots.

The forms and shapes of these natural woods, in fact, are capturing the imagination of artisans throughout the country. While there is not a mass-manufacturing stampede to these handcrafted pieces, there is a trend toward the use of solid natural woods fashioned in ways that retain their natural forms. There are chairs, table tops, bases and even sofas made from whole logs, tree trunks, roots, gnarled vines and huge cross-cuts of unusual grained wood species.

"I think there is definitely an interest in things that are more natural and free-form," says Dan Droz, a leading furniture designer who also teaches at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. "People are over-teched and over-gridded, if you will, and there's definintely a reaction against that. There is more appreciation of the naturalness and innate beauty of wood--partly in response to the intense period of slick European styling and high technology that we've been living through."

There are a variety of examples of how this appreciation is being manifested, ranging from expensive designer furniture to affordable simple pieces to antiques in "natural" forms.(This trend should not be confused with the long-standing demand for rustic furniture in the old Adirondack vein or those hunk-o'log coffee tables, polyurethaned to ice-skating smoothness, that have been around since the 1960's).

For one thing, wood artisan Joshua Hoffman crafts massive one-of-a-kind tree furniture pieces either in his backstreet Brooklyn warehouse or his Renssalaer County barn. Hoffman, owner of Joshuas Trees, is both a supplier of exotic hardwoods to the area's designers, wood sculptors and architects(many sushi bars in New York City are made from his woods), and an artist and furniture maker.

He works with designers and sometimes clients to create commissioned pieces from whole logs of huge cross-grain slices. He is currently finishing a 9-foot pine sofa, which he chain-sawed and handcarved from a single white pine log. The piece, commissioned by a Long Island homeowner, has been aged outdoors over the summer, protected by a special wax that is used by commercial loggers as an end sealer. It will now be hand-scraped and finished with a natural tung oil.

Hoffman believes that though the wood has been changed and crafted as the work has progressed(he estimates that he has put over 350 hours into the pine sofa so far), the end product should still reflect the original spirit of the tree.

"I prefer the oriental approach," he said. "you don't do anything until you've lived with the raw wood for a while; then the piece almost creates itself." The cost for this effort and spirit? About $12,000.

Elements by Grapevine is a Lodi,Calif., company that has responded to the trend for natural elegance with a line of table bases topped with glass. Each one is slightly different, constructed with thick gnarled grapewines which are hand-selected and cut from 75-100-year old vines, in nearby wine fields. Only the sturdy center trunks, twisted into interesting shapes from their years of growth, are chose. The wood is then treated to an onslaught of careful modern abuse: It is air-dried for a year, and kiln-dried over a week's time so the wood doesn't crack; then it is debarked by sandblasting and debugged by fumigation. The vines are then sorted by length and thickness and only similar ones are used together, with the thickest--up to 12 inches in diameter--going into large dining tables.

About seven or eight vines are used for a single base, joined by 20 or so steel rods for stability. The vine constructions are then sanded and the tops are sprayed with a light urethane to seal the ends of the wood. Then the whole table base is coasted with a wax sealer.

"This gives a very natural appearance to the wood," says Renee Kubryk, the firm's designer and co-owner. "A shiny finish wouldn't do at all for these beautiful, gnarled, grained pieces." Prices range from $350 to $1500 for end tables to large dining table.

Although "natural" furniture is a hot topic right now, it is not a new concept. In pre-Victorian England, there was a frenzy of naturephilia, and all sorts of tree-like furniture was designed to bring "nature" into the home. An antique treeroot table stand from Yale Burge Antiques in New York City is actually solid oak, carved to replicate roots. The call for these nature pieces has been increasing among the firm's customers, and the shop is continuously searching to replenish them.

Says Ann Sonet, a spokesman for Burge: "people may not want a whole room full of trees, but there is a trend again to want to bring the outdoors inside--the feeling of a garden or woods and a touch of whimsy."

Tree Walks Summer 2009 Clarke Art Institute, Stone Hill Center

2009-08-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

The Walk

To be continued....Central Park July 2009

Tree Walks Summer 2009 Tanglewood,Stockbridge, Ma.

2009-08-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

THE FORMAL GARDENS AND TREES

THE SHED

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

THE BOWL AT DUSK BEFORE THE CONCERT.

To be continued....Clarke Art Institute,Stone Hill Center

22nd Annual Rustic Furniture Fair September 5-6 Adirondack Museum, Blue Mtn.Lake, NY. JoshuasTrees (FYI) "On the Street" Sept.4th 10:00am

2009-08-14T03:01:00.000-07:00

Rain or Shine...I look forward to meeting friends, old customers, and new clients at the street fair and Rustic exposition in the town of Blue Mountain Lake. Although the economy has been down, I have re-inventoried the usual eclectic, melange, of "funky" inventory from the forests of Stephentown, New York. All of which is on view at Joshuastrees.net or in selected offerings at my blog. Joshuastrees.blogspot.com For appointments call 518 733 6483 or email me at Joshuastrees@gmail.com.

I will bring several Funky Spalted Flitches recently harvested and kiln dried.

Since my mode of transportation is now a Nissan pickup, I have put together 15-20 bd.ft. packages of cherry shorts that are shrink wrapped, inexpensive, and ready to walk away at the show....some with at least one live edge.

I have cut and dried some Spalted Cherry that I find quite unusual that will be offered in packages as a new addition to my funkadelic mix of wood(s).

At the warehouse I have the usual large selection of slabs of Cherry, and locally cut wood that when finished will make nice mantles, coffeetables, or bartops for your "Camp".

Maple

Maple Mantles

From the largest Cedar in Conneticut I have some slabs that have some really nice birdseye figure.

Continuing the tradition of Recycling old trees this Cedar was authenticated by the Conneticut Botanical Society as the "oldest Cedar" in the state, before being taken down due to storm damage.

Table bases "I got".

Burl Bases from the Northwest

Cherry Burls from Stephentown

If you have any questions I am available the next couple of weeks at the same location with a different entranceway on North Moorehill Road(see the directions on an earlier archived blog with images.... Inspector Smiley's Directions from New Lebanon.

Cedar and Locust Poles and Logs

Joshua Hoffman, Selected Furniture Projects 2005-2008

2009-08-12T06:47:00.001-07:00

Communal Table. Walnut. Park Hyatt Hotel,Washington,DC.Tony Chi Architects. Joshuastrees. Fabricators.

Side Bar. Walnut. Park Hyatt Hotel. Washington,DC. Tony Chi Architects. Joshuastrees.fabricator.

Reception Desks. Walnut. Park Hyatt Hotel, Washington,DC. Tony Chi Architects, Joshuastrees.fabricators.

Walnut Shelf. Blanc de Chine. S.Russel Groves Architects. Joshuastrees,supplier.

Philadelphia Furniture Show 2006. Bases and Turned Works. Joshua Hoffman,Designer/Craftsman.

The"Whale". David Horowitz,designer. Rockwell Group Architects. Joshua Hoffman.fabricator.

Prototype, "The Whale"

Redwood Bench. Private commission.

Manhattan Youth. Art Tables. Bob Townley,Ex.Dir. Joshua Hoffman, designer/fabricator.

Dining Table, Mahogany.Bubinga Desk, radius 13' Joshuastrees,fabricator.

Maple Burl Dining Table, M.Daniela Brown/Joshua Hoffman Designers, Joshua Hoffman fabricator.

Miami Rhaposody Joe Serrins, Architect, Joshua Hoffman fabricator.

Redwood Shelf, Redwood Countertop, Maple Burl Table

Walnut Bench

For more information refer to the following Archives:

Works in Wood 1980 to present. Posted July 25 2009.

Joshuas Trees, New York. Installation. Products. Publications. Posted July 16 2009.

Public Art Stephentown Library Summer 1999

2009-08-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

Participants:

Mural and Program Stephentown Youth Commission

Construction and Installation, David Goodermote, Excavating

Book of Giants. Marguerite Strop

Artist, Joshua Hoffman

The Installation

The Book of Giants

The Book of Giants Mural

The Site After and Before

Breaktime from painting the mural.

Update on Stephentown Public Art

For more then seven years Joshua Hoffman negotiated with the Town of Stephentown, New York for an easement to swap land and abandon the old "Moorehill" for a new, safer bypass. The project nicknamed "The Boulevard" was completed in the summer of 2008. The planting and sitework continues to this day.

Participants

Town Board, Stephentown New York

Mark Prescott, Board Member

Neil Gardner, Road Superintendent

Tom Sandford, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Road Crew Stephentown New York

"Aldie, Chuckie, Dougie, and Jimmy"

Joshua Hoffman , town resident, landowner, landscape design and planting

Public Art Pier 25 Lower Manhattan 1999 Manhattan Youth/Joshuas Trees

2009-08-10T04:39:00.000-07:00

The Installation.

From the artists sketchbook. Corporate sponsership

The press and invitation.

The Garden with Walnut Sculptures. The site before development.

The present:
Bob Townley, Executive Director of Manhattan Youth commissioned Joshua Hoffman to design and build 20 tables for the Art Room in the new facility on Warren Street in Tribeca 2008.

Joshuas Trees provided the White Oak decking for the award winning Tribeca Bridge in Lower Manhattan in the early 1980's. The white oak saved from the earlier bridge project was recycled into the tables on Warren Street. Some of the Locust cants from the garden installation were saved from the original installation and recently milled into decking for a private residential development in Brooklyn, summer 2009.

Next blog:Public Art Stephentown Library, Summer 1999

William's notes for Joshuas's blog...Harry and Bill

2009-08-06T04:45:00.000-07:00

Luthiers William Cumpiano(left) and Harry Becker (right) greet Joshua at the door--Joshua and William have known each other for decades, and Joshua thought it was time he drove to Northampton, Massacusetts, to see what was happening to all that wood he had been selling them for years.

William's collection of chisels: some Sheffield-steel paring chisels he bought in England forty years ago; some were antique American long-bladed socket chisels; some hand-made Japanese Kogatana bevel knives; some short bladed cabinetmaking chisels; some cranked-neck English paring chisels. Predominantly used for shaping soundboard braces and carving guitar necks.

Jimi Hendrix, gift weaving from Yuri.

During the glassnost era(early 1980s) William's Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans(wwwguitarmaker.org) invited a luthier from Leningrad(now St. Petersburg) to America. He came from Russia and started his visit at William's shop when it was located in North Adams, Massachusetts. his commentary about the contrast bewteen his life as a luthier in the Old Soviet Union can be found in William's webpage at http://www.cumpiano.con/Home/Articles/Transcriptions/Yuri/yuri.html His name was Yuri Dmitrievsky. he had never stepped out of the Soviet Union before, and there he was in my Berkshire guitarmaking shop. He entered, turned, pointed to this poster on my wall and said: "That's Ted Dunbar-my favorite American Jazz guitarist". Sure enough, I looked in the fine print, and it was indeed Ted Dunbar.

A poster of esoteric guitar arcana on the wall of William's workshop. William was not just a luthier. He was also a passably-good hand percussionist. Good enough to play for several years with a fusion of veteran American Jazz musicians and South American panpipe musicians called Viva Quetzal. The group had become wildly popluar around this region until it dissolved in rancor and divorce. But while they were flying, they flew very high. Even played Disneyland.

Harry's memory wall contains fragments of the many memories and influences, bits and pieces of a lifetime: Pictures of Blind Blake, Blind Willie McTell, Jimmy Rodgers, Son House, the Beatles, old cars, than-you pictures from a bunch of US soldiers in Afghanistan who Harry helped equip with band instrumets, and dozens of thank-you notes from clients all over the world for reviving their dead instruments.

Harry's memory-wall contains a particularly exotic collection of diverse interests: old Calypso stars, mandolin orchestras, old cars, him as a kid with his first guitar, Betty Boop's father, and a collection of photographs of a Vietnamese guitar-making commune, which Harry feels gives him a good sense of perspective of the remarkable work which can be accomplished with hardly any tools or equipment to speak of-but with a lof of resourcefulness and effort.

William points to his own memory-wall, which reveals his predilection for old historic photographs of real old Cuban and Puerto Rican bands and musicians, and pictures of William next to famous people, like Pete Seeger, Tito Puente, Country Joe(of Fish fame), and C.F. Martin, the President of Martin Guitars.

to be continued...

AUGUST CHERRY SPECIALS (continued)

2009-08-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

EMAIL Joshuastrees@gmail.com for pricing on all Cherry.

Package of Cherry 3x12x48 Walnut 4x9x27 Mahogany 4x12x39

$150.00 Plus shipping

Polychromed Cherry Burl Totem Re-visited August 2009

2009-08-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Work in Progress Joshua Hoffman August, 2009

B and H Sawing Castorland, New York

2009-08-04T05:36:00.000-07:00

For more then ten years I have been traveling to Castorland, New York to have my logs and lumber milled and dried by Phil and Louise. The following are some images, the captions of which I will update with another posting. As of August 10th 2009 the Cherry log pictured has been dried with other similar logs and will be made ready for shipment to a customer(s) in Westchester County and New York City. The inventory when unloaded from the kiln will be posted.

B and H Sawing for directions and further info email Joshuastrees@gmail.com

LOCUST DECKING JULY 31 2009

2009-07-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

Tribeca Bridge July 2009 White Oak Decking supplied by JoshuasTrees a very long time ago.

Locust lumber being milled by the ML Condon Co. for Joshuas Trees.

Decking and lumber up to 6" available green, air dried, or kiln dried.

8"and wider available in small quantities.

Green Locust milled to 1 5/8"x 5 1/2" decking.

Years ago, Joshuastrees supplied Battery Park City with the White Oak decking for the Tribeca Bridge located on West Street near the World Trade Memorial Site. The Bridge designed by S.O.M. won numerous awards and designations for design. Today, JT has been harvesting, milling, and supplies Black Locust, a "green" alternative wood for exterior use. The Locust is harvested on local wood lots and milled in New York State.

Quotations available at Joshuastrees.gmail.com (no order too small)

SPECIALTY WOODS FEATURED THIS WEEK July 30th

2009-07-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

Mixed Species Burl Packs $100.00 plus shipping.Cherry Burl Packs $135.00 plus shipping, Butternut 8/4 Spalted Maple 12/4 kd.

(email joshuastrees@gmail.com for Custom packages, Pricing, shipping quotes by Fedx ground or Common Carrier

New York Visit July 28th 2009

2009-07-28T05:26:00.001-07:00

I am going into Manhattan today to see how some of my past projects have faired over the years...probably more then I can do in one day...Pier 26, Chine de Blanc, Tribeca Bridge, Belvedere Castle in Central Park... I will give a progress report over the next several weeks...these are not stories from Lake Wobegon out in the midwest, although they may play well if you have a feel for New York City. Stay in touch. joshua

Will keep you posted.

ROOT BASES FROM ROCKY CREEK JULY 2009

2009-07-26T13:28:00.001-07:00

A. 36x67x36h

B. 72x109 x37h

C. 32x60x48h

D. 33x67 x70h

E. 38x60x54h

Joshuastrees@gmail.com for pricing. More in all sizes available.

Works in Wood 1980 to the present...Joshua Hoffman

2009-07-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

Pas de Deux. Walnut, Slate, Steel. 74"x14"x32". Collection of Artist. 1983

Full Moon. Goncalo Alves, wood. Dimensions 43"x11" x 67"h. Collection of Artist. 1982

to be continued...

Milling Projects August 2009

2009-07-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

White Pine

White Cedar

Sycamore

Sycamore

White Pine

These three logs all removed in highway maintenance projects will be milled into lumber August 2009 Dimensions and projected cutting details on request Joshuastrees@gmail.com

Harry and Bill...40 years of friendship...the wall(s)

2009-07-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Hendrix... weaving gift from Russian Guitarmaker Yuri Dmitrievsky during Glasnost..a luthier from St. Petersburg....

Left center...Bill and Harry Pratt graduates. Anonymous Rock, Blues, Country, Jibaros of Puerto Rico, and Cuatro Orchestra Stars...including Tito Puente and others as outlined in the publication Youth Music and Culture Caramba...Juventud, Musica y Cultura....a publication of the Puerto Rican Cuatro Project.

Bills mentor...Manuel Velazquez A Tribute to a Legend The Puerto Rican Cuatro Project www.cuatro-pr.org/

Vietamese Guitarmakers on Harry's wall who specialize in Mother of Pearl inlay details. Harry Becker is Authorized for repairs on Martin Guitars. http://www.harrybecker.net/

Becker and Cumpiano fretted instrument construction and repair 8 Easthampton Rd. Northampton, Ma. 01060 William Cumpiano specializes in building Cuatros and is the definitive source for information on the subject... http://www.cumpiano.com/

Singing in the Rain..Tales of Tanglewood Part 1

2009-07-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

I went to Tanglewood last night to hear Tony Bennet singing in the "Shed" while it poured outside. I was sitting under the protection of a large Maple tree, as usual. A local Police Officer standing nearby uncustomarily started to talk with me. With my history in the Berkshires, I bit my lip. He asked if I was alone, offered me a ticket to the Shed and the rest is history. There goes my image of Officer Obie, Arlo Guthrie, and Alices Restaurant. I will never be the same. Hope you enjoy the images. "The Music Never Ends", Tony Bennet July 21,2009 Lenox, Massachusetts

CHERRY BURLWOOD AVAILABLE

2009-07-21T09:01:00.001-07:00

A. Cherry Burl shorts

B. Cherry Burl shorts

C. Shorts

D. Shorts

E. Cherry Burl Caps

F. Cherry dog bones 5/4

G. Cherry Turning blanks

H. Turning blanks

Live edge Cherry lumber with burl edges. Email Joshuastrees@gmail.com

Air Dried, Kiln Dried, and green stock available Minimum order. Serious inquiries only.

TREE BARK TWIT(s) QandA

2009-07-18T11:11:00.001-07:00

Cherry Burl Forest Winter 2007...Lumber available at JoshuasTrees

Cherry from managed wood lot...Joshuastrees, Stephentown, NY

Harry and Bill....40 years of friendship and Guitarmaking. Part 1 Stephentown to Amherst

2009-07-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Joshua listening to Pavorotti The Duets at 90 Decibels waiting to get off exit 18 Amherst

Bill Cumpiano on left Harry Becker on right

Bill with Cuatro

One of Harry's restorations. Guitarquartersawn Oak. Harry a certified Martin Guitar technician.

Part 2 Harry and Bill's wall images...to be continued

Part 3. The wood "stash"

Part 4. Steambending East Indian Rosewood

Part 5. Hire bill to teach you, Have Harry restore your Martin, Read up on all of the rich cultural history of the Puerto Rican Cuatro Project

Part 6. Buy the DVD's available from Bill that are culmination of 40 years research and hands on experience with Cuatro building and teaching.

http://www.cumpiano.com/

http://www.harrybecker.net/

http://www.cuatro-pr.org/ Nuestro Cuatro DVD

Manuel Velazquez A Tribute To a Legend DVD. Vol 1: 1493-1959

Youth Music and Culture Caramba! Juventud, Musica y Cultural
a publication of the Puerto Rican Cuatro Project

JOSHUAS TREES NEW YORK

2009-07-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

INSTALLATIONS

Walnut Shelving, Blanc de Chine, Fifth Avenue, NYC
S. Russell Groves, Architects
Art Room Tables(19), Mixed Species, Manhattan Youth, NYC
Bob Townley, Director
Communal Table and Sidebar, Walnut, Hyatt Corp, Washington,DC
Tony Chi and Associates, NYC
Master bedroom headboard, Redwood, Jackson Hole, CO
Architecture/design:Emily Summers Design Assoc.
Dallas.TX
Master bathroom vanity, Redwood, Newport Beach,CA
Entrance foyer shelf, Walnut, NYC
Architecture/design:Associates III, Denver,Co.
Living Room Shelf, Walnut, NYC
Architecture/design: L. Tillinghast, NYC
Tea House counter, Redwood, Cape Cod, MA
Architecture/design: R. McCarthy, NYC
Tribeca Yoga, Chambers Street, NYC Antique Pine reception desk
Sushi bar, East Village, NYC White ash counters and garden sculpture
Architecture/design: M. Kashiwabara

Products
Dining Table, Pomelle, Coffee table, Maple burl, Sculptural elements, Madrone, Willamstown, Ma
Coffee table, Red Elm, NYC Benches, Walnut, NYC
Dining Table, Quilted Maple, CT
Architecture/design: L. Tillinghast, NYC
Dining Table, Maple burl, Shelter Island, NY
Architecture/design: M. Daniela Brown, NYC
Display Table, Madrone Burl
Architecture/design: Rockwell Group, NYC
Central Park, NYC Belvedere Castle, Tree, reception area: Playground, Cedar logs
Tiffany and Co. NYC, Merchandizing displays, burl wood
Cadillac Motor, Merchandizing displays, burl wood

PUBLICATIONS
Architectural Digest, December 2006: "Twist on Tradition"
Park Hyatt Hotel, Washington DC. Walnut Reception Desk
Architecture/design: Tony Chi and Associates, NYC
Interior Design, Vol 77/4, April 2006: "year of the chic"
Blanc de Chine, boutique, Fifth Avenue, NYC 2006: Walnut Plinths and
Shelves Architecture/design: S Russell Groves, NYC
Elle Decor, February 2005: "Miami Rhapsody"
Master bedroom headboard, Redwood, Powder room vanity, Redwood,
Sculptural elements, Cherry burl, Miami, Fl
Architecture/design: Joe Serrins Studio, NYC

IMAGES ON REQUEST

BARK,TREES and JOHN

2009-07-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

TO BE CONTINUED...

FUNGUS IN MY WOOD..grow your own

2009-07-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

3" Matching Spalted flitches kd. Applewood in center of several pieces of Spalted Maple in Small packages(email for specifications at Joshuastrees@gmail.com below, right side

Hard Maple on Right from log with 10 flitches(available). Lumber that has been sitting for two years in woods that was put in kiln July 2009.

I was going to write a piece on Spalting, but I don't want to re-invent the wheel. Twenty five years ago I was ridiculed by everybody for selling "rotten" wood. Guess what.

Spalted Wood by Wood Magazine

Spalting, Afungus Amungus by Andrew Hilton

Controlled Spalting by Woodweb

Spalt your own A recipe for creating Spalted Wood by Russ Fairfield

Make your own spalted wood--Fromthe Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild website

Spalted Wood by Alan Lacey

Spalt by Ken laninga

REDWOOD PROJECTS COMPLETED AND CURRENT INVENTORY

2009-07-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

Redwood shorts milled and drying as of July 10th 2009. Available August 15th for shipment.

Water cured Redwood Harvested in an eco-friendly and safe manner and milled from stumps on the edge of the California shoreline.

Redwood Bench on Cedar Base designed, built, installed August 2008

by Joshua Hoffman

Private Installations

Masterbedroom headboard, Redwood, Jackson Hole, Wyoming Architecture/design: Emily Sumners Design Associates, Dallas, Tx.

Master bedroom headboard, Redwood, Powder room vanity, Redwood. Sculptural elements, Cherry burl, Miami Florida Architecture/design: Joe Serrins Studio, NYC.

Entrance foyer shelf, Redwood, Bachelors Gulch Co. Architecturaldesign. Associates III, Denver

TeaHouse counter, Redwood, Cape Cod Ma. Architecture/design: R. McCarthy, NYC

More....

CURRENT INVENTORY OF LARGE FLITCHES

A. Redwood Flitch(email Joshuastrees@gmail.com for specifications)

B. Redwood Flitch (available email)

C.D(right) D. available(email)

E. Redwood Flitch(available)

F. 2 Packages of Redwood burl(available)

G. Redwood Flitch (available)

H. Redwood Bookmatch(available)

D. Details Redwood Flitch (6" available in smaller cutoffs for turning and as bookmatched sets for tables)

SMALL PACKAGES OF DRY REDWOOD LUMBER TO BE POSTED in next several days.

INSPECTOR SMILEY'S DIRECTIONS FROM NEW LEBANON,NY. TO JOSHUAS TREES(do not follow Google route)

2009-07-12T07:12:00.003-07:00

6.3 miles

4.4 miles

2/10 mile

4/10 mile

left to top of mountain

IF LOST WILL SEND DOGS TO FIND U...BACK ROUTE TAKES YOU THROUGH THE WOODS ON SEASONAL ROAD THAT IS BEAUTIFUL BUT DANGEROUS

Package(s) of Turning Stock and more...

2009-07-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

Cherry Burlwood, Walnut slabs

Madrone (you select)

Assortment of Big Leaf Maple (you select)

Redwood, Big Leaf Maple, Curly Maple, Madrone, Cherry (2)

http://Joshuastrees.net

Packages of Wood for NEW Auction

2009-07-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

Warren Stoker Charlie Goddard Dick Flanders

Northeastern Woodworking members

Joshua Hoffman on left

Loading Fiske Fund Auction Inventory at Joshuastrees

Spalted Maple shorts 4/4 5/4 8/4

Ambrosia Maple Shorts 1/2 3/4 5/4

Package of Cherry Shorts 4/4 5/4 8/4

Walnut package which includes 1" 2" 3" shorts

PACKAGES OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. WALNUT, HORSE CHESTNUT, MYRTLE

2. OAK, CEDAR BURL, ELM, CHERRY BURL, CURLY WALNUT

3. MYRTLE, 3 PCS SPALTED MAPLE

4. CURLY MAPLE, SPALTED MAPLE, AMBROSIA MAPLE (3)

5. CHERRY BURL, AMBROSIA MAPLE (3), BIG LEAF MAPLE

6. ELM,SYCAMORE (2), MAHOGANY, WALNUT, AMBROSIA

7.WALNUT (8)

8.WALNUT (8)

9.WALNUT (9)

10. WALNUT (7)

11.WALNUT (4)

LIST TO BE CONTINUED....

NEW Auction to benefit the Fiske Scholarship Fund. September 26,2009 Shaker Barn, Albany NY contact Cgodd@aol.com for further information.....

Cherry lumber

2009-07-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

Cherry 4/4 2.75 bdft. Cherry 5/4 3.00 bdft. Cherry 8/4 3.50 bdft. Cherry 12/4 4.00 bdft.

4/4 Flitch Sawn 3.50 5/4 4.00 8/4 5.00 12/4 5.50

Cherry 8/4 3.50 bdft. 8/4 Flitch Sawn 5.00 bdft. Cherry 12/4 4.00 bd.ft. Flitch sawn 5.50

Cherry Burlwood 8/4 5.00 bdft. 10/4 5.25 bdft. 12/4 5.50 bdft.

Ambrosia Maple Inventory

2008-10-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Ambrosia Maple Inventory For Sale

2008-10-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

New Dry Inventory For Sale. Ambrosia Maple 10/4 12/4 Rough Lumber.

Soft Maple sequenced boards cut locally from logs purchased in Conneticut where the beetle is prevalent. The wood has been dried to 8-10% but varies in moisture content since it has been sitting in a cold warehouse. The material will aclimate to lower moisture content if placed in shop at room temperature for 10-14 days. The lumber was cut specifically for moldings and furniture and has been sold for shojii screens, panels for glass doors, shelving, and as decorative moldings in restaurants and bars. The wormhole defect is very strong in the white sapwood. The center boards have heavy heart stain, but little checking defect. The lumber is heavy 2 1/2"-3" x 10-13' and will yield clean cuttings and lots of character throughout the length of the boards. Some of the lumber retains its bark edge and would be suitable for moldings that need to accentuate the "live edge" look.

BONES OF THE EARTH aug. 2008

2008-08-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

The month of August has been quiet in the architectural woodworking market of Metropolitan New York. Projects in process continue, but most clients are away busying themselves with day-to-day maintenance of their summer homes and recreational activities upstate New York or in the Hamptons. Those of us who service this clientele keep at the day-to-day grind of fabricating, finishing, and installing. Recent work completed in early August for JoshuasTrees included the installation of 16 tables for Manhattan Youth, a community center in Tribeca, New York and several small walnut commissions. In his spare time, Mr. Trees, Joshua, and has been involved in a small environmental project supervising the harvesting of logs and stumps to make way for a new road in front of the warehouse/showroom. Pictured on the left is a grader lifting a maple stump from the ground. On the right is a cherry stump approximately 6 ft. tall, with a circumference of approximately 56 inches, also excavated. Both of these "bones of the earth" will be pressure washed and added to the finished inventory to be used as a table base, sculptural object, or slabbed for some unusual table tops. Pictures are available of the new inventory as it is excavated, moved, and cleaned. It should be noted that a new tree is either being planted or transplanted to replace the "old guys" who had to go in the name of progress...more on the planting program later.

Mr. Trees Notes and Reflections

2008-08-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

Joshua Hoffman has been working with wood all his life. As a child, he was encouraged in his creative pursuits by his talented family, including his mother, Shoshannah, a painter, and his father, Joseph, a woodworker/fundraiser. From early on, Hoffman's studies and influences were broad and inclusive. During high school in Evanston, Illinois, he participated in an urban design program at the Architecture Department of the University of Illinois. It was here that visiting faculty member eminent architect Paolo Soleri, invited Hoffman to apprentice with him. Much of Hoffman's site-specific work was shaped by this experience with Soleri as well as by the subsequent experiences in the Peace Corps in Ouagadougou, Haute Volta. Whether he is creating expressionistic works in wood or conceptual works on public land, the themes of history, social movements, functionality and emotions have always run through Hoffman's work. Now in late life, having run the gamut of sculptural paradigms, his core themes are evident at his 26-acre farm in Stephentown, New York. But his greatest inspirations now are his children, watching their development, and their relationship to nature, technology, and the world. The following are Mr. Tree's own reflections of his struggles , achievements, and experiences in the world of wood.