I hand-hew round trees into square beams and mantels using only an axe.
This mantel was sourced sustainably in December 2018 from a tree culled by a power company in North Yarmouth, Maine. It measures 7"x7"x59.5" and is finished with dark brown Briwax with an underlayer of ebony Briwax. Joinery has been added--in this case joist pockets--as a reflection of the heritage of working beams, which almost always had joinery of some sort.
While water-powered sawmills existed in New England as early as 1630 (in Berwick, Maine), hand-hewing large beams was a technique favored by many American craftsmen to frame out barns and buildings: structures that have stood the test of time and borne patiently the worst of summer's blistering heat and New England's unkind winters. Today, I use exactly the same tools and techniques as 17th- and 18th-century Maine craftsmen to create classic beams and mantels: timbers that will transform your family's favorite space into a showcase for generations to come.
While I don't provide hardware for mounting, here's a helpful link for how to hang a large mantel:
https://antiquewoodworks.com/fireplace-mantel-installation-tips/
***Please note that shipping usually runs between $70-$90 for mantels, calculated at checkout. I can only ship beams and mantels to the continental U.S. If you need a beam or mantel shipped elsewhere, please email or call me so we can work out logistics.***