Meet the Elephant Timber Team

Elephant Timber is a family run business that supplies unique pieces of live-edge wood. We believe in showcasing the natural variations in the grain patterns; that is why we handpick each piece for its character and beauty.

Carl Foreman, established Elephant Timber in 2016, in order to find a use for the trees felled at his Tree Surgery business. In 2020, Costa joined Elephant Timber as Operations Manager.

Our team is passionate about live-edge wood. We asked them a few questions to find out what drives this love of timber.

Carl

Who most inspires you?

“My father. He is the hardest working and most successful person I know. He works relentlessly to make every job he does as profitable as possible. He then invests a lot of it in local charity work benefiting those that really need a helping hand.”

What is the most exciting part of your work?

“For me, being the first person to see the beautiful patterns nature has provided when I mill a log is the most exciting part. I love revealing what lies within each tree and imagining it one day being crafted into something people love.”

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

“I get great satisfaction from finding a solution to our customers’ timber needs. I enjoy the challenge of rising to our clients’ expectations and delivering exceptional customer services with our “yes we can” attitude.”

What are you most proud of?

“I am proud of being able to save so many trees from becoming logs for burning. It is important that the trees we fell have a second life as something beautiful.”

What is your favourite species of tree?

“The Cedar of Lebanon, usually found in the grounds of stately homes and parks. I like the way the species looks established enough to know what life is all about. I think that if trees could talk, they would tell me what they have seen over their long lives, and remind us that we humans really are not that significant in the grand scheme of the natural world.”

What is your favourite product created from Elephant Timber’s live-edge wood?

“A large slice of Olive Ash I used to display the house name at my parent’s home.”

Costa

Who most inspires you?

“I am inspired everyday by my colleague Carl and what he has achieved by creating Elephant Timber.”

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

“I really enjoy getting 5-star reviews and positive feedback when our customers receive their new live-edge table tops.”

What are you most proud of?

“Although it can sometimes be challenging to translate a customer’s idea into a project, I am so proud of the outstanding results we have achieved together.”

What is your favourite species of tree?

“My favourite tree is an Oak and my favourite live-edge wood comes from a Pippy Elm.”

What is your favourite product created from Elephant Timber’s live-edge wood?

“As every project is so unique and different, it is impossible to choose just one favourite project.”

About Us

Elephant Timber’s live-edge wood is locally sourced in the heart of Sussex. We supply unique and characterful live-edge wood. Each piece is handpicked for its natural edges and variations in the grain patterns.

Our large stock of live-edge wood is available either in our online shop or in-person at Elephant Timber Supplies, Rear of Offerfair Business Centre, Maunsell Road, Castleham Industrial Estate, Hastings, East Sussex, TN38 9NN

Our normal opening hours are Monday-Friday 07:30 – 17:00. Please contact us on 07941 034 822 before visiting. Out-of-hours or weekend appointments can be made by arrangement.

Our Unique Wood Slabs

Our kiln dried wood slabs come in a range of lengths, thicknesses and widths, perfect for making tables, kitchen counters, furniture, shelves, benches, coat racks, office desks and bar tops. Our regular customers include cabinet makers, kitchen manufacturers, interior designers, shopfitters and DIY enthusiasts.

Sanding, sealing and oiling is the key to longevity of your wood slabs. We can supply timber in their natural rough-sawn state, for further finishing, or we can plane to a smooth finish, suitable for fine sanding and sealing. We can apply a sanding sealer before despatch, to prevent moisture transfer into or out of the wood, in transit and when stored.

Get In Touch

Carl and Costa are specialists in live-edge wood, so please get in touch if you require advice on the use of timber pieces, how to prepare and store the wood and how to care for the finished product.