Cedar Log Furniture Montana

Most cedar log furniture Montana is manufactured west of the Continental Divide in the Glacier National Park area in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near the Canadian border. The local artisans take great pride in the quality and design of the functional, durable and lasting style of their indoor and outdoor rustic f cedar log furniture Montana.

Since the forces of nature have dried all of the logs, whether by natural air-drying of the standing dead or as a result of a forest fire, there is absolutely no moisture in the logs. The rustic quality of the cracks, also called checking, adds character to the simple beauty of the wood. Draw knives are used to hand peel the bark from the logs. The process leaves just enough color from the inner bark to give the appearance of natural texture and color contrast, giving each piece that rustic furniture appeal.

One assembly technique used in making the furniture is mortise and tenon joinery, known for its strength when performed by a master craftsmanship. A dowel or biscuit is inserted into a hole or slot in the pieces to be joined and glued into place. These glued joints will outlast bolted and screwed joints tenfold if done properly using good quality glue.

Most of the craftsmen living in this area believe in respecting and maintaining the environment. That is why the woodsmen harvest the standing dead Lodge pole Pine from the forest in an age-old fashion, without the use of heavy equipment. The trees get their name from the fact that the Indian tribes living in the area use the trees to build their lodges. Also some trees that fall due to high winds can be salvaged. As good environmental stewards, the live trees are left untouched. They leave the larger dead trees that provide food and shelter for the smaller wildlife, including birds.

Many of primitive techniques brought from the Old World by their immigrant forbearers are still used in modern manufacture of log furniture. The timeless beauty and durability of the cedar log furniture Montana can be seen throughout the world. Most of the furniture is finished with lacquer.