The fireplace mantel described in this content is made from an authentic beech beam recovered from a barn in Western NY. The wood used to make this mantel was cut 100-150 years ago and the trees from which this wood came were 200-300 years old. The wood is very dense with very tight rings, making it far superior to other woods. The person who created this mantel feels a connection to the wood, a connection to the past and to the history of the wild landscapes of America. There is an aura about this old wood that cannot be replicated in new wood. Each piece of old wood has its own unique character, due to its age, cut, use and exposure to sun and weather. Once it is finished, its unique characteristics really come out. Overall, this piece is aesthetically pleasing and loved by its owners.