Historic timbers offer unique beauty, history of Montana

The story of the unique wood began at the tum of the century, when workers floated cut logs down the Flathead River to the Somers Mill on Flathead Lake. The DeVoe familY began operating the mill in 1901. Over the years, thousands of old-growth larch and pine logs sank to the bottom of the lake, where they were protected from exposure to the elements and saturated with minerals that streaked them with a rainbow of colors.

When the DeVoe family asked NMI to recover the timbers, it took seven years to obtain salvage permits. Once that was accomplished, local divers were hired and recovery operations began. According to NMI, the enviro-friendly process has improved Flathead Lake's ecological habitat and maintained its pristine water quality.

"Currently, we have a recovery Permit for six years, which is renewable for another l0 years," says Corrao. "From sonar data and our divers, we've estimated sustainable market supply for the remainder of our permits."

Prospective customers can visit Flathead Lake's website and Facebook page to view product and project photos, watch informative videos, and read user comments.

fJlsrontc TIMBER from northwest llMontana is now available for use in a variety of interior applications, courtesy of the DeVoe family and Northwest Management Inc. (NMI), a natural resource and consulting forestry firm based in Moscow,Id.

The new line of unique wood products is called Flathead Lake Historic Timber. Manufacturing takes place at Hunts Timbers, St. Ignatius, Mt., and a specialty mill in Idaho.

"Our customers are a diverse group of people with a common interest in the history of the timbers," explains Mark Corrao, NMI's hydrologist, who assisted with reclamation of the 1O0-year-old timbers. "They appreciate the sheer beauty and patina of the wood, which is something you won't find anywhere else."

Anyone looking to own a Piece of Montana logging history can choose from a mix of several varieties of pine-ponderosa, western white, and lodgepole-as well as western larch. Standard planks are 4" and 6", with wider planks available. Also available are slabs for bars, counters, and tabletops, boards for furniture, wood for music instruments, rustic mantels, and one-of-a-kind gift boxes.

"The gift boxes are made to customer dimension, by hand, so no two are alike." says Corrao. "Each one is branded for authenticity and comes with a numbered certificate that lists how old the log was and where it was recovered, as well as the wood species."

"samples are also available," he says. "These can be something as simple as a box of pine and larch pieces varying in dimensions and thickness, to something as intricate as a custom gift box made by our carpenters."