great buys » olive tank redwood rails

This inventory of the highest quality redwood is made even more special by its unique history. These “rails” are the edge trimmings from olive tank bottoms, originally fabricated by the George Windeler Company of San Francisco in the 1930s. The tanks were used for curing olives in California’s Central Valley for more than 70 years. We trimmed the edges of these tank bottoms as part of a custom paneling order for a large winery in the Napa Valley. These pieces are exceptionally long, clear, all-heart, old-growth, burgundy redwood. The as-is surface of these pieces is a weathered silver-grey. Once remilled, they reveal the gorgeous dense grain of old-growth redwood. Redwood of this quality is no longer available new. Years of steeping in olive brine has given this wood a unique, espresso-tinted patina. This inventory is a terrific value at $5 per board foot. Purchase must be per unit, with approximately 400 board feet per unit.

Sources: Redwood olive tanks originally fabricated by the George Windeler Company of San Francisco in the 1930s.

Species: Sequoia sempervirens.

Color tones: As-is weathered silver-grey or resawn/surfaced to reveal auburn with espresso-tinted overtones.

Dimensions: 1” to 1-3/4” thick x 2-1/2” wide by up to 13’ long.

Millwork: As-is, originally S4S, lumber circa the 1930s. Resawn on one edge.

Character: Dowel holes along edges – 3/4” wide, spaced approximately 4’ apart. Seasoning checks.

Finish: Unfinished.

LEED: MR 4 (Recycled Content), MR 5 (Regional Materials).

Price: $5 per board foot. Must be purchased as a unit, with approximately 400 board feet per unit.