We know that furniture makers and specialist craftspeople need more than just timber – they need the right timber. The kind of timber that tells a story, showcases a skill, and becomes a talking point in any room. We stock a range of rare and remarkable timber that are anything but ordinary, from Elm and Yew to Mappa Burr and many more, for those one-of-a-kind furniture projects.
Whether you’re planning a showstopper tabletop, a bespoke cabinetry commission, or a sculptural piece for exhibition, the timbers in our yard and in The Timber Rack are hand-selected for their beauty, character, and performance.
Elm: A Rare Find, An Exceptional Timber
We know we’ve talked a lot about Elm recently and with good reason.
If you missed it, you can read the full blog post all about Elm here. But here’s a quick recap before we dive into some of the other specialist timbers we stock for makers and furniture projects.
Sourced with Care
Our Elm isn’t just any Elm. These are trees that have lived through maturity, often hand-felled as part of active woodland management. Our Managing Director and Chartered Forester Tom Compton travels personally to meet with forest managers, assessing the trees in situ and selecting only the best.
What Makes Elm Special?
Elm is prized for:
- Its rich, dull brown tones with heartwood/sapwood contrast
- Beautiful grain, with pip and burr often present
- Good strength and moderate durability
- Resistance to moisture – perfect for outdoor or high-wear settings
But Elm isn’t the only remarkable timber we stock…
Other Specialist Timbers for Furniture Makers
Yew (Taxus baccata)
Distinctive and dramatic, Yew wood is an artisan’s dream:
- Heartwood is a deep orange-brown, often streaked with pale sap
- Wild grain patterns with pips, knots and crossgrain
- Tough and resilient – great for sculptural pieces
- Takes glue and stain, but high oil content requires care
Ideal for: Feature panels, small tables, turned items, statement drawer fronts
Bonus: Yew’s unpredictable character makes every piece truly unique.
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani)
If you’ve ever walked through our stockyard and caught a cloud of woody perfume in the air, chances are, you were standing next to our Cedar of Lebanon.
- Heartwood ranges from light to medium brown with a distinctive, rich scent
- Straight, medium-fine grain, often with large, striking knots
- Durable and naturally resistant to insect attack thanks to its aroma
- Can be tricky to machine due to bark pockets and high resin content
- Excellent for wardrobes, chests of drawers, and even interior cladding
Ideal for: Scented storage furniture, bathroom cabinetry, one-piece worktops, and occasionally exterior cladding (like in southern Europe)
Why we love it: The natural fragrance keeps moths and insects at bay and the sheer size of the boards makes it a dream for large-scale pieces.
Just a note: As beautiful and fragrant as it is, we wouldn’t recommend Cedar of Lebanon for kitchens or bedrooms where its perfume might be overpowering.
Mappa Burr (Poplar)
Looking for a timber that’s a conversation starter? Mappa Burr is your match.
- Rare and eye-catching, with swirling burr figuring
- Light base colour with explosive patterning
- Ethically sourced and sustainably grown
- Ideal for high-impact surfaces and inlay work
Perfect for: Custom furniture, instrument making, marquetry and decorative panels
Why we love it: It brings that “Wow, what is that wood?” moment every time.
A Treasure Trove for Makers
Hidden in the heart of the South Downs, The Timber Rack is your playground if you love wood. It’s a space we’ve created for furniture makers, woodworkers and design-led creators to explore and select timber in person or online.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Waney edged boards with incredible character
Square edged boards planed on both faces – ready to use
Timbers added daily – so it’s always worth a rummage
Boards sold by the piece, couriered or palletised to your door
Want to visit in person? We’re open:
Monday to Friday: 08:30 – 16:30
1st & 3rd Saturday each month: 08:00 – 14:00
Just follow the signs and prepare to lose yourself in the racks. And if you need help loading, cross-cutting or choosing timber – ask us. We’re here for it.
Let’s Make Something Extraordinary
We stock specialist timbers because we believe in exceptional craftsmanship. The kind of work that takes time, skill, and timber with a story. Whether you’re planning your next gallery piece, a bespoke dining set, or a beautifully crafted cabinet, we’ve got the wood to match your ambition.
Need help choosing the right timber?
Call our expert team on 01730 816941 or pop into The Timber Rack at Cocking Sawmills, West Sussex.
Quick Links:
English Woodlands Timber
Cocking Sawmills, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0HS
01730 816941
sales@englishwoodlandstimber.co.uk
Timber worth talking about. For makers worth knowing.
