Every question we get at the yard, answered straight. Pop’s Barn is a working sawmill in Byram Township, New Jersey, about an hour from Manhattan, selling live-edge slabs up to 76″ wide, matched sets, mantels, cookies and lumber — all listed online with size and price.
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Buying a slab
What is a live-edge slab?
A board cut through the full width of the log with the natural outside edge of the tree left on, instead of being squared off. It keeps the tree’s shape along the sides. More in what live edge means.
Where can I buy live-edge slabs in New Jersey?
Pop’s Barn in Byram Township, Sussex County, stocks hundreds of live-edge slabs in walnut, white oak, red oak, cherry, ambrosia maple, elm, hickory and more, each listed online with dimensions and price. Pickup at the yard or curbside delivery to North Jersey and NYC.
Can I see the exact slab before I buy it?
Yes. Every piece is photographed and listed individually — what you pick is what you get. You can also come to the yard by appointment and walk the rack.
Can I buy online?
Yes. Buy a slab outright at checkout, or put a deposit down to reserve it with the balance due at pickup.
How do I reserve a slab?
Use the “Reserve It” button on the listing to pay a deposit. The slab is pulled from sale and held for you; the balance is due when you pick it up or before it’s delivered.
What if the slab I need isn’t listed?
Ask. Listings are what’s ready to sell; there’s more on the drying rack and in the log pile. Send the size and species you need.
Prices
How much does a live-edge slab cost?
Slabs are priced by the board foot, from about $10 per board foot for poplar to $22 for black walnut, with a multiplier for slabs 30″ and wider. See the slab cost guide or the calculator.
What’s a board foot?
A volume of wood 12″ × 12″ × 1″. For a slab: length × average width × thickness in inches, divided by 144.
Why do wide slabs cost more per board foot?
Big-diameter logs are rare, most mills can’t open them, and wide slabs are harder to move and dry without cracking.
Do you have anything on sale?
Yes — see the On Sale page. Sale stock is the same wood, priced to clear the rack.
Sizes and species
How wide can you cut a slab?
Up to 76″ on our Lucas slab mill. Most sawmills stop in the 30s. See oversized slabs.
What species do you carry?
Black walnut, white oak, red oak, cherry, ambrosia maple, hard and soft maple, elm, hickory, black locust, eastern red cedar, ash, poplar and white pine, plus whatever the next log brings.
What’s the best wood for a live-edge table?
White oak and hard maple are the toughest; black walnut is the most popular for looks; cherry ages to a deep red-brown. See best wood for a live-edge table.
What size slab do I need for a dining table?
About 72–84″ × 36–40″ finished for six seats, 96″ × 40–42″ for eight. Buy a few inches longer and wider. See table sizes.
Can I get matching slabs from the same log?
Yes — sequential and book-matched sets. See matched sets.
Drying
What do “air-drying,” “in kiln” and “kiln-dried” mean on a listing?
Air-drying: stickered and drying naturally, not yet ready for indoor furniture. In kiln: in our iDry AIR kiln now. Kiln-dried: finished drying and ready to work.
How long does a slab take to dry?
Air-drying takes about a year per inch of thickness. Kiln drying finishes it to the 6–8% moisture indoor furniture needs. See air-dried vs. kiln-dried.
Can I buy an air-drying slab and have it kiln-dried?
Yes. Reserve it and ask about kiln scheduling.
Do you check moisture content?
Yes. We meter kiln-dried slabs and put the reading on the spec sheet.
Pickup and delivery
Where are you located?
Byram Township, Sussex County, New Jersey — about an hour from Manhattan. Visits by appointment.
Do you deliver?
Curbside to North Jersey and New York City, priced per trip. We don’t carry into buildings. See delivery.
How do I get a big slab home?
Bring a truck or trailer that can carry the length and weight, straps, and help at the other end. We load with equipment on site.
Services
Do you flatten slabs?
Yes. Rough slabs can be flattened here so they arrive flat and ready for final sanding. Ask when you buy.
Do you offer kiln drying for wood I already have?
Yes — see kiln drying for how it works.
Do you build finished tables and furniture?
On select projects. Most of what we sell is slabs, and we’re happy to point you to local makers. Ask with your project details.
Do you do CNC signs and carving?
Yes, on a Shark HD500 CNC on site — signs, carvings and shop work.
Will you mill my log?
Occasionally, and it’s priced as premium work, not a labor rate. Most of the time you’ll get a better deal picking a finished slab off our rack.
Do you work with designers and fabricators?
Yes — spec sheets, holds, matched sets and NYC delivery. See to the trade.
Other things we sell
Do you sell mantels?
Yes — dozens of 5–6″ thick live-edge mantel blanks and beams. See mantels.
Do you sell wood cookies or tree slices?
Yes, from small centerpiece rounds to whole-tree cookies over 60″ across. See cookies.
Do you sell regular lumber?
Yes — rough-sawn, kiln-dried dimensional lumber priced by the board foot, plus heavy oak deck and trailer boards cut to order. See lumber.
Do you sell bowl blanks or turning stock?
Yes — kiln-dried bowl blanks around 12–14″ in elm, walnut and ambrosia maple, listed in inventory.
Do you sell small pieces or scraps?
Yes. Live-edge charcuterie and serving boards, plus a cut-off haul — all the short pieces you can carry for a flat price. Check inventory.
Still have a question? Call 973-524-4282 or send it in.
What customers say
We found Pops Barn through Facebook when we were looking for a countertop, and choosing to go meet Bob, the owner, was one of the best decisions we made! Bob has an amazing selection of beautiful wood, with so many unique pieces to choose from. My wife and I went there personally, picked out the plank we loved, and Bob recommended that we go with a live edge—and we're so glad we took his advice. When we went back to pick up the finished piece, we honestly couldn't believe how beautiful it turned out. The natural character of the wood and the live edge are absolutely stunning. It came out even better than we imagined. Bob was knowledgeable, helpful, and great to work with throughout the whole process. If you're looking for a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of wood, we highly recommend Pops Barn. We're extremely happy with our countertop and would definitely go back again!
Found Pops Barn on Instagram, I was looking to work with some nicer wood and saw he was doing a fundraiser giveaway. I showed up and asked some questions only a newbie would ask and got no judgement, was really thankful for that. Picked up and nice sized walnut slab. Would definitely recommend!
Pictures don't do it justice! We purchased this personalized oversized cutting board to keep on our counter and it is beautiful. The craftsmanship is so apparent and it's a great alternative to plastic cutting boards or any fake wood with PFAs. It sits off of the counter so it dries quickly. The fact that it is a family owned small business just makes it so much better! Thank you Bob and his son Will for the beautiful piece! Will definitely be adding more to our home.