Lake Country Lumber
Lake Country Lumber
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FAQs

LOCATION AND SERVICE AREA

Where is Lake Country Lumber located?

Lake Country Lumber is located in Oak Grove, Minnesota, just North of Minneapolis. We proudly serve customers throughout Minneapolis–St. Paul, Southern Minnesota, greater Minnesota, Iowa, and Western Wisconsin.


Many of our customers travel from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and beyond to find high-quality live edge slabs and custom hardwood furniture.

How far do customers travel to buy slabs from you?

We regularly serve customers from:

  • Minneapolis
  • St. Paul
  • Southern Minnesota
  • Western Wisconsin
  • Iowa
  • Duluth, Minnesota

Many customers searching for the best slab wood near Minneapolis or best slab wood in Minnesota choose Lake Country Lumber for our quality, selection, and transparency.


LIVE EDGE SLABS AND SLAB INVENTORY

Do you sell live edge slabs in Minnesota?

Yes. We offer premium live edge slabs for sale in Minnesota, including walnut, maple, oak, cedar, and other hardwood species.  All slabs are:

  • Milled in-house
  • Kiln-dried for stability
  • Professionally flattened
  • Ready for furniture, countertops, or custom projects

If you’re searching for the best live edge slabs in Minneapolis or Southern Minnesota, our inventory is worth the drive.

What makes your slabs different from others for sale in Minnesota?

Unlike many sellers, we control the entire process from log to finished slab. 


Our slabs are:

  • Properly kiln-dried (not air-dried only)
  • Flattened using professional equipment
  • Stored and handled carefully to prevent warping or cracking

This ensures you receive stable, high-quality slab wood suitable for indoor furniture and long-term use.

Do you sell kiln-dried walnut slabs?

Yes. Walnut is our most popular and in-demand species. We regularly stock kiln-dried walnut slabs in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.


Walnut is ideal for:

  • Dining tables
  • Coffee tables
  • Benches
  • Countertops
  • Custom furniture


Inventory changes frequently, so we recommend calling or texting to check availability.

Do you sell slab wood for DIY projects?

Yes. Many customers purchase our kiln-dried slabs for:

  • DIY furniture builds
  • Woodworking projects
  • Custom countertops
  • Guitars, charcuterie boards, shelves, and specialty items


We also offer slab flattening services to help prepare slabs for your project.

Do you sell wood cookies?

Yes. We offer kiln-dried wood cookies in various species, sizes, and natural shapes.
Wood cookies are commonly used for:

  • Coffee tables
  • Centerpieces
  • Wedding décor
  • Creative woodworking projects
  • Tablescapes and table décor


Our wood cookies are kiln-dried to reduce cracking and improve stability.

Does your inventory change often?

Yes. Inventory changes continually as slabs are milled, sold, or reserved for custom projects.


We recommend calling, texting, or submitting a message through our website to check current availability.

What wood species do you typically have available?

Our inventory changes regularly, but we commonly work with a variety of hardwood and softwood species, including:

  • Black walnut (one of our most popular species)
  • Walnut
  • Elm
  • Hackberry
  • Maple
  • Cedar
  • Box elder
  • Cherry
  • Catalpa
  • White oak
  • Pine
  • Locust
  • Kentucky Coffee Tree
  • Spalted Maple


Because availability depends on log sourcing and milling schedules, we recommend calling or texting to confirm current inventory or to discuss a specific species for your project.


PRICING

Do you negotiate pricing on live edge slabs?

We do not negotiate pricing on our live edge slabs. Our slabs are priced fairly from the start, based on species, size, quality, and the time invested in proper milling, kiln drying, and preparation.


Many of our customers regularly compliment our fair and transparent pricing, and we believe in pricing our slab wood honestly rather than inflating prices to allow for negotiation.

How is pricing for live edge slabs calculated?

Pricing for our live edge slabs is calculated by the board foot, which is the standard measurement used in lumber and slab sales.


Several factors determine slab pricing, including:

  • Wood species (such as walnut, maple, oak, or cedar)
  • Overall quality of the slab, including grain, figure, and character
  • Size, including thickness, width, and length
     

Because each slab is unique, pricing reflects the individual characteristics of that specific piece of wood.

What is board footage?

Board footage is a standard method used in the lumber industry to measure the volume of wood.


One board foot =

  • 12 inches long × 12 inches wide × 1 inch thick

For live edge slabs, board footage is calculated using the slab’s average width, length, & thickness. This method ensures transparent & fair pricing in all our lumber & slab sales.


Board footage is widely used in both traditional lumber & live edge slab sales & allows customers to compare pricing accurately between different pieces of wood.


CUSTOM FURNITURE AND WOODWORKING

Do you build custom tables?

Yes. We specialize in custom hardwood tables, including:

  • Dining tables
  • Coffee tables
  • Entryway and console tables
  • Benches
  • Accent tables


Each table is handcrafted using kiln-dried hardwood and built to your exact size, style, and finish preferences.

Can I choose my slab for a custom table?

Absolutely. Customers are welcome to visit our Oak Grove, Minnesota shop and select the exact slab used for their custom table whenever possible.

Choosing your slab allows you to see:

  • Grain pattern
  • Live edge character
  • Natural features like knots and color variation


This ensures your finished table is truly one of a kind.

Do you build custom shelves?

Yes. We design and build custom hardwood shelves crafted from kiln-dried lumber to fit your space and style.

Our custom shelves can be:

  • Built to your exact dimensions
  • Live edge or straight edge designs
  • Wall-mounted or floating styles
  • Designed for kitchens, living spaces, offices, and commercial settings


Each shelf is handcrafted to complement your space while showcasing the natural beauty and durability of real hardwood.

Do you build epoxy river tables?

Yes. We build custom epoxy river tables and epoxy inlay furniture. River pours are a popular design aesthetic preferred by our customers.


Options include:

  • River-style epoxy pours
  • Subtle epoxy inlays
  • Clear or tinted epoxy


Each epoxy project is custom-designed to complement the wood’s natural character.

Do you sell hardwood countertops?

Yes. We build custom hardwood countertops for:

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Bars and islands


All countertops are crafted from kiln-dried hardwood and finished for durability and daily use.

How do I get started on a custom table?

Getting started is easy:

  1. Call or text us at 651-492-8060
  2. Visit our shop to view slabs and discuss ideas
  3. We’ll guide you through size, wood species, base options, and finish

We pride ourselves on fair pricing, responsive communication, and excellent service from start to finish.


CONTACT US


WOOD PROCESSING AND EDUCATION

What is sawmilling?

Sawmilling is cutting logs into lumber or slabs. At Lake Country Lumber, sawmilling is the first step in transforming locally sourced logs into live edge slabs & hardwood lumber. Using our Wood-Mizer LT40 Wide sawmill, logs are cut to maximize grain character, stability, & usable yield. Once milled, the slabs are kiln-dried & prepared for sale or custom projects.

Sawmilling allows us to control quality, ensuring our slabs are properly processed for use in custom tables, shelves, & furniture.

What does kiln-dried mean?

Kiln-dried wood has been carefully dried in a controlled kiln to remove excess moisture from the lumber. This process reduces the risk of warping, cracking, and movement once the wood is used indoors.


At Lake Country Lumber, slabs are kiln-dried to a moisture level suitable for furniture, countertops, and other interior projects. Proper kiln drying ensures the wood is stable, reliable, and ready for long-term use in custom tables and hardwood furniture.

What is slab flattening?

Slab flattening is the process of leveling a wood slab so both faces are flat and even. Slabs naturally move and cup as they dry, making flattening an essential step before building furniture.
We offer professional slab flattening using specialized equipment to:

  • Create a smooth, level surface
  • Prepare slabs for tables, countertops, and shelves
  • Preserve the natural live edge while ensuring usability

Flattening ensures your slab is ready for fabrication and helps prevent issues during the build process.

Why do woodworkers choose your slabs?

Woodworkers choose our slabs because they’re properly processed & ready to work with, reducing issues like warping, wet wood, & uneven surfaces. Our slabs are:

  • Kiln-dried to approx. 8% moisture content, suitable for indoor furniture & fine woodworking
  • Professionally flattened using a Wood-Mizer SlabMizer, ensuring flat, consistent surfaces
  • Milled & handled carefully to maintain stability and usable yield

How wide of a slab can you flatten?

We can flatten slabs up to 55 inches wide using our professional Wood-Mizer SlabMizer.


This capability allows us to prepare wide slabs for:

  • Large dining and conference tables
  • Live edge countertops and islands
  • One-piece statement furniture

Flattening wide slabs ensures a flat, level surface while preserving the natural live edge and character of the wood. A consultation is required to confirm slab dimensions, thickness, and condition prior to flattening. 

What is moisture content (MC) in wood?

Moisture content (MC) refers to the percentage of water contained in wood relative to its dry weight. For woodworkers, MC is critical because it directly affects stability, movement, and long-term performance of a finished piece.


Lake Country Lumber slabs are kiln-dried to approx 8% moisture content, which is suitable for indoor furniture & fine woodworking in climate-controlled environments.

What happens if wood moisture content is too high?

Wood that is too wet can:

  • Warp, cup, or twist after machining
  • Develop cracks as it continues to dry
  • Cause joints to fail over time


Understanding moisture content (MC) helps woodworkers select lumber that is ready to work with & reduces the risk of issues after a project is completed. Even kiln-dried wood should be allowed to acclimate to your shop environment before final milling for best results.


ABOUT LAKE COUNTRY LUMBER

Why choose Lake Country Lumber?

Since 2019, Lake Country Lumber has focused on:

  • Fair, transparent pricing
  • Responsive communication
  • High-quality kiln-dried hardwood
  • Skilled craftsmanship

Whether you’re buying slab wood or commissioning a custom table, our goal is to deliver work you’ll be proud to own for years to come.

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Lake Country Lumber

Oak Grove, MN

651-492-8060

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