Albizia is native to Asia and considered highly invasive in South Florida. There are two species, Albizia julibrissin and lebbeck, that were introduced to the area as ornamentals and escaped cultivation. They have rapidly outcompeted native plants, causing damage to the natural ecosystems. Some of trees grow quite large and the timber is worth saving. It has a beautiful, banded grain with deeply contrasted golden and ebony hues. I source from trees that were reclaimed from areas being cleared for new land use development.

A coralline limestone known as Keystone, which was formerly quarried in the Florida Keys. The Pleistocene stone is composed of lithified corals. Brain and Elkhorn corals are clearly visible. The reefs and sandbars were exposed during the last ice age and solidified to form the stone of the Florida Keys. I source material that was quarried over 50 years ago.

Taxodium distichum, known as Swamp, Bald or Tidewater Cypress, is native to the Southeastern US. It has a long history of use in Florida, with artifacts dating back thousands of years. Its naturally occurring terpene makes the wood largely resistant to rot and insect damage, so it was used by the Calusa, the first European settlers, the Seminoles and eventually was exported all over the country and Europe. Today, the only remaining old growth trees in Florida are found in Big Cypress. The timbers I use are reclaimed sinker cypress, logs that sank centuries ago as they were floating downstream to the sawmill.

Palmoxylon, the fossilized form of palm wood, comes from palm trees that grew along the southeastern United States between 33-56 million years ago. These trees were submerged as sea levels rose during a period of glacial warming, preserving the wood in its petrified form. I source from a vetted outfit that collects the specimens from the Catahoula Formation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Terminalia catappa, known as Beach or Indian almond, is an invasive species, native to Asia. Introduced as ornamentals, the trees have rapidly spread along roadsides and coastlines, disrupting native species and altering coastal dynamics. They are being removed as part of an effort to manage invasive species. The timber is lustrous and richly grained. I source from trees that were reclaimed from areas being cleared for new land use development.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of calcium carbonate. It is often formed with tiny fossils, corals and shell fragments which may be visible on the surface of the stone. The stone varies greatly in texture. It is often left unpolished due to its open porosity. The color is generally white to off white. The utilitarian stone has been widely used for architectural applications from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Empire State Building. I handpick the limestone from off cut pieces obtained at local stone fabricators.

Swietenia mahagoni, known as Jamaican or Cuban mahogany, is native to the West Indies and South Florida. It is much denser and stronger than other mahogany. It was so sought after by European furniture makers in the 18th century, that the tree was forced to the brink of extinction. Today, the only timber available is from reclaimed wood. I source this rare wood from trees that have fallen naturally during storms and hurricanes.

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone that was subjected to extreme geological forces. The sedimentary elements of the limestone are crystallized during metamorphosis to form other minerals such as quartz, pyrite and mica. These minerals vary from place to place, and marble has a wide array of pigments and textures, often displayed in characteristic colorful veins. Marble can be polished to high gloss sheen or textured. A durable construction material, it has been notably used in buildings from the Taj Mahal to the Parthenon. I procure several types of rare marble from off cut pieces obtained at local stone fabricators.

Also known as Caribbean walnut, this tree is native to West Indies and South Florida, where two varietals grow. The plant is the primary habitat for our colorfully banded tree snails, which are critically imperiled by hardwood hammock habitat loss, and is a host pant for many endemic butterflies and moths. The tree is widely used as an ornamental tree and can grow upwards of fifty feet in height. The heartwood is a rich, dark brown and is highly regarded for timber. I source my slabs from trees that are reclaimed before demolition for local landscape renovations.