Bim Morton: It's all about the wood

Bim Morton, a lifetime of playing and working with wood has also extended into sourcing and selling his favourite medium. Photo: Jack Meagher

A lifetime of playing and working with wood has made Bim Morton the woodworker and wood lover he is today.  Growing up, one thing led to another. Sailing, fishing and canoeing on the Nepean River meant time also spent making and fixing boats, canoes, paddles and whatever else was needed. Working in a joinery came next in a journey that eventually schooled him in fine woodworking and ‘all facets of the timber industry’.

Above: Bim Morton's ‘Salvaged Gold’ 2.4m long table makes the most of a tallowwood slab salvaged from the rainforests of Dorrigo. Bim explains: ‘The tree was felled in the late 80s. It was double leader and the loggers only took the top trunks, but the first section of trunk was deemed too misshaped to bother with!’ The wood was bandsaw milled in Dorrigo and then kiln dried at Tree-O Gallery in Raleigh. Blackbutt was used to create organically shaped legs and stretchers.

Tree-O Gallery in Bellingen, NSW is now a destination spot for those who want to buy a special piece, or visit one of the showcases of work by other local artists which the gallery always hosts.

Above: Bim Morton's Tree-O Gallery Timber Shop, Australian hardwoods local to him on display.

For woodworkers however, Tree-O Timber Shop is also a go-to for those who want to browse and buy from a unique range of slab, burl and boards. The range of Australian hardwoods available includes blackwood, bluegum, red and white cedar, river oak, camphor laurel, tallowwood and other select species that may become available. 

Bim Morton’s quilted New England blackbutt resin table with Australian rosewood inlay.

Ordered ahead, timber is also sold by the pack. From his 25 cubic metre kiln, Bim estimates around 150 cubic metres is annually produced. Trees are sawn to his specifications and air-dried for six months before kilning for two months or as required.

The difference is that as a maker, Bim understands the end-use and potential of timber and can ensure it's sawn, dried and, if requested, dressed for fine furniture making needs. ‘I am a maker not just a timber merchant’, reiterates Bim. ‘I understand what I'm looking at, and selling, and its final destination.’

Learn more about Tree-O Gallery at https://tree-o.com.au/