In the workshop—Guided by the Grain.
Crafted with Intention
Fred's workshop is where the raw potential of wood is revealed, shaped, and transformed. It's a place of quiet focus and passionate work—where sawdust, sunlight, and slow craftsmanship come together.
Where wood takes shape
From hand tools to modern machines, every project is approached with the same intention: let the wood lead. Many of the materials are reclaimed from local trees with a story—some once shading homes, others removed for safety. The trees Fred uses live on in handmade pieces filled with purpose.
“The quality of Fred’s work is outstanding! I enjoy several pieces he made for our home. He also completely restored our 6-foot long antique dining room table. Fred, working as our dedicated arborist for many years, rescued one fallen very large California oak, and had the wood cut and milled for beautiful, future wood products.”
- Sonja
From the Bench
This space offers an informal look inside the workshop—a place to share the variety of work that doesn’t always make it into the portfolio. From one-of-a-kind lamps to hand-shaped cutting boards, each reflects Fred’s reverence for the tree it came from and the care poured into its making. These snapshots capture the day-to-day rhythm of the studio, the tools and materials in motion, and the honest, hands-on process behind Vital Tree Woodworks.
